On April 15, 2003, Erin Fleming committed suicide in her apartment at the Hollywood Royale (an assisted living facility) by firing a revolver into the roof of her mouth.
It was karma that landed Groucho with this scary person. He'd been horrible to three previous wives, driving two of them to alcoholism. So there ya go.
Can i just say that i read his most popular book written by charlotte chandler and he really needed erin in his life family and others will always speculate relationships they don't understand!! It seems a very sad way for her to die like that... and i really think people should remember noone but the two people in the relationship know the whole truth, this is the media guys and we should not know every aspect to their relationships its about groucho marx and his talent!!
@alexiscole1982 Chandler’s book (real name Lyn Erhard.)has historical value, but glosses over Fleming’s erratic behavior and lies about Erhard’s relationship with Groucho and his last two years, since Erhard was disowned by Groucho in late 1975 after he found out Erhard was not authorized to write his biography and he never spoke to her again. A far more reliable account is “Raised Eyebrows” by Steve Stoliar, Groucho’s secretary for the last 3 years of his life.
Man I just saw her in Woody Allen's 'Everything you wanted to know about Sex (but were too afraid to ask)' - wow she was hot in the infamous scene involving her.
Too bad after reading her profile/bio...she's your hollywood B- movie crazy lady who takes control of some old guy.
I had never heard of Erin Fleming until recently. Having read stuff about her, she does not sound like a nice person. Also, I don't like the way she looks at Groucho in this video, very unsettling.
@coloren1 I strongly disagree. I think Dick Cavett was a brilliant host and very engaging. David Letterman is pretty good, but he (and most everybody else) can't attain Cavett's caliber.
Even though the Groucho - Erin Fleming liaison devolved into a tawdry mess, by most accounts she was a vital tonic to Groucho for a few years. If you read biographies of him, you learn about his dark, depressive side - and how he could be as lonely and vulnerable as anybody else. I don't see any evil looks or wild-eyed expressions from Erin Fleming in this clip; on the contrary, she comes across as knowledgable and literate, albeit perhaps a bit nervous.
Groucho married young and dumb women, but the only woman who could put him in his place was Susan Marx, wife of Harpo. I read in Harpo Speaks about a time when she put him in his place after a lude comment he made towards her and that was the last time. I am not shocked. Susan was a NY girl, born and raised. I am from NYC also and live in Wyoming. I put these rednecks in their places all the time and believe this. I get respect that women here do not get.
@jewgirl43 I will have to re read the book as I do not re call that part. But I do remember Groucho saying serveral times that of all the brothers Harpo had the best and happiest marrige and family life. All 5 Marx brothers were born and rased in N.Y.C.
How many times was Groucho Marx on the dick cavett show because imdb says twice but when you go through youtube you find what appears to be him on at least six or so times.
I've read enough material from different authors about the Marx Brothers to know that Erin Fleming was certifably insane. I'm sure she didn't have Groucho's best interests at heart, and used and abused him. She obviously couldn't live with the guilt and took her own life. Some might think that she helped Groucho in his later years, but I'm not sure. I think her motives were pure selfish.
Odd as it seems- or maybe not- Erin dated Elliot Gould for a while. Groucho, in his dottage, generally gave in to Erin, but balked at her selling off his favorite car, a Cadillac. Fleming: "I will slap you from here to Pittsburgh." Actually, this type of abuse happened to Jimmy Cagney and Kate Smith, among others.
Erin Fleming, was a mentally challenged pardon the term be prepared to bleep lol bitch. She used Groucho, she was much like Martha Raye's husband in her advanced stage of alzheimers/limited mobility he dragged her to every single event even though she never had any idea where she was and usually fell asleep in her wheelchair. She was his meal ticket, as was Groucho Ms. Fleming's meal ticket. Without Groucho she would have been nothing.
We'll never hear Erin's side, but it is entirely possible she began with good intentions, then realized she was in over her head taking care of a
frail, elderly man, and then became abusive, which is the oldest story in the world. Similar things happened, as I mentioned, with Kate Smith and Jimmy Cagney. Liza Minnelli cared for her mother's old friend/lover Kay Thompson, who died in her 90s, but there were all sorts of allegations at the end. Martha Raye is, to me, the worst example.
Everybody please read the memoir RAISED EYEBROWS by Steve Stoliar, one of Groucho's personal assistants in the mid-1970s. Erin Fleming was not the nicest of women.
Agree 100% but Groucho did hismelf no favors in this department, he was an apalling judge of women. He was so in aw of his mother for his entire life he could never replace her. When he married Kay he used to run her down terrinly. Much as I admire Groucho and his wonderful legacy, he definetly had a problem regarding women as equals.
@zkg Absolutely right! The Stoliar book and the Hector Arce book ("Groucho") both have matching stories about how whacked out loony Erin Fleming was. She pushed Groucho to do shows later in life when he was completely out of it, simply to advance her own career and make money (she got a big piece of his earnings). Later, she was ordered examined by a court physician and was confirmed to be "severely mentally ill". She was in and out of mental hospitals and later committed suicide.
@zkg Ordered it, as well as the Arce book. In the last few months I have read in order: Harpo Speaks, Groucho and Me, Hello, I must be Going, Growing up with Chico, and the expanded edition of My Life with Groucho, which had the Arthur's entire account of the legal battle with Erin. It was horrific. I immediately remembered these comments and wondered aloud how Chandler could have glossed over what was going on. I'm anxious to get the Stoliar and Arce books for comparison to Arthur's.
Erin Fleming was a blunt cunt bitch who was as crazy as a shithouse rat,and as cuddly as Hitler. Groucho's entire staff hated her guts for her self-centeredness,unpredictability,and cruelty. After Groucho's death in '77,she was ordered to repay $400,000 she had bled from him over the years. She became a drunken,drug-addicted "bag lady". When she finally blew her brains out,the world heaved a sigh of relief. "Good widdance to bad wubbish",as Elmer Fudd would say...
I'd say it's divine justice that he ended up with this "frigid cow" (to quote berkyberk67). He'd driven his three previous loving, devoted wives to alcoholism with his callousness & neglect. (Er ... but I'm a huge fan of his comedy.)
maybe it's just me, but I dunno, the way she blinks and moves her face around, it almost looks like she has a nervous twitch or something. like a little "off".
Wow, that look she has at 2:09 - feigned smile, and a predatory "Don't fuck this up, Groucho" expression.
Or maybe I'm just reading too far into it. What can you say though - she was accused of being Groucho's Lady Svengali, and she ultimately shot herself.
Fleming was a gold-digging fame-seeker that some say ended up insane,while others will insist she was nuts all along. Groucho suffered a stroke on Erin's birthday,and she threw a fit,accusing him of ruining her birthday "on purpose"...
@vonsmitty1313 Odd, I highly douth they are even distantly related but Ern Fleming who was a abuseive bich was the same last name as Susan Marx, Susan s maiden name Harpo s beloved wife. By all acounts Harpo and Susan had a loveing marriage and relationship AND a wonderful family life, 4 kids. Now that is contrast. And Harpo got it right the first time
When did this interview air? 2-21-1972?
Chridder515 2 weeks ago
She must be hearing voices in her head And Grouch just knows better He He He
SuperRickyRocket 1 month ago
Nobody should think Dick Cavett would have this woman on the show unless Groucho insisted on it.
ChathamGuy1000 1 month ago
On April 15, 2003, Erin Fleming committed suicide in her apartment at the Hollywood Royale (an assisted living facility) by firing a revolver into the roof of her mouth.
DynapubsA 1 month ago
She looks mentally disturbed here. It's no surprise she committed suicide.
yryriza 3 months ago 2
she was "CRAZY to be in showbiz" she said
MrGziss 7 months ago
Comment removed
MrGziss 7 months ago
She was beautifful...............
johnchannetshow 10 months ago
It was karma that landed Groucho with this scary person. He'd been horrible to three previous wives, driving two of them to alcoholism. So there ya go.
flimpkin4 1 year ago
@ 5:23 crazy actress eyes!!
momojojo75 1 year ago
The worst thing in the world is someone who thinks there talent is on par to a genius.
momojojo75 1 year ago
Erin gave him so much joy and strenght but her was a real bitch also.
pillowdoor 1 year ago
Can i just say that i read his most popular book written by charlotte chandler and he really needed erin in his life family and others will always speculate relationships they don't understand!! It seems a very sad way for her to die like that... and i really think people should remember noone but the two people in the relationship know the whole truth, this is the media guys and we should not know every aspect to their relationships its about groucho marx and his talent!!
alexiscole1982 1 year ago 3
@alexiscole1982 You got it my friend. Not many do, for this you should be grateful.
EdVidz 1 year ago
@alexiscole1982 Chandler’s book (real name Lyn Erhard.)has historical value, but glosses over Fleming’s erratic behavior and lies about Erhard’s relationship with Groucho and his last two years, since Erhard was disowned by Groucho in late 1975 after he found out Erhard was not authorized to write his biography and he never spoke to her again. A far more reliable account is “Raised Eyebrows” by Steve Stoliar, Groucho’s secretary for the last 3 years of his life.
soylentteal 1 year ago
Man I just saw her in Woody Allen's 'Everything you wanted to know about Sex (but were too afraid to ask)' - wow she was hot in the infamous scene involving her.
Too bad after reading her profile/bio...she's your hollywood B- movie crazy lady who takes control of some old guy.
magicalpoop 1 year ago
I had never heard of Erin Fleming until recently. Having read stuff about her, she does not sound like a nice person. Also, I don't like the way she looks at Groucho in this video, very unsettling.
MetalGearKelan 1 year ago 3
She has an uncanny resemblance to Susan Atkins....
mouschter 1 year ago
She has an uncanny resemblance to Susan Atkins....
mouschter 1 year ago
She has an uncanny resemblance to Susan Atkins....
mouschter 1 year ago
Dick Cavett had no personality. Just like David Letterman.
coloren1 1 year ago
@coloren1 I strongly disagree. I think Dick Cavett was a brilliant host and very engaging. David Letterman is pretty good, but he (and most everybody else) can't attain Cavett's caliber.
JeffGR4 1 year ago 2
@JeffGR4
Dick Cavett was good, but David Letterman has no modern peer. Letterman is bloody brilliant and terrifically funny.
KellyGreen5555 6 months ago
@coloren1
You must be joking. Letterman is always grand and entertaining. However, poor Cavett is like a dripping faucet.
KellyGreen5555 6 months ago
@KellyGreen5555 Don't insult a dripping faucet like that.
yryriza 3 months ago
Even though the Groucho - Erin Fleming liaison devolved into a tawdry mess, by most accounts she was a vital tonic to Groucho for a few years. If you read biographies of him, you learn about his dark, depressive side - and how he could be as lonely and vulnerable as anybody else. I don't see any evil looks or wild-eyed expressions from Erin Fleming in this clip; on the contrary, she comes across as knowledgable and literate, albeit perhaps a bit nervous.
dumont1957 2 years ago
Groucho married young and dumb women, but the only woman who could put him in his place was Susan Marx, wife of Harpo. I read in Harpo Speaks about a time when she put him in his place after a lude comment he made towards her and that was the last time. I am not shocked. Susan was a NY girl, born and raised. I am from NYC also and live in Wyoming. I put these rednecks in their places all the time and believe this. I get respect that women here do not get.
jewgirl43 2 years ago 3
@jewgirl43 I will have to re read the book as I do not re call that part. But I do remember Groucho saying serveral times that of all the brothers Harpo had the best and happiest marrige and family life. All 5 Marx brothers were born and rased in N.Y.C.
gibbdreamer 1 year ago
6:20 alka-seltzer?
itsaguinness 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
How many times was Groucho Marx on the dick cavett show because imdb says twice but when you go through youtube you find what appears to be him on at least six or so times.
djang0ja22 2 years ago
One can see by looking in her eyes she is an insane woman.
dedbusted 2 years ago
I've read enough material from different authors about the Marx Brothers to know that Erin Fleming was certifably insane. I'm sure she didn't have Groucho's best interests at heart, and used and abused him. She obviously couldn't live with the guilt and took her own life. Some might think that she helped Groucho in his later years, but I'm not sure. I think her motives were pure selfish.
billys59 2 years ago
Odd as it seems- or maybe not- Erin dated Elliot Gould for a while. Groucho, in his dottage, generally gave in to Erin, but balked at her selling off his favorite car, a Cadillac. Fleming: "I will slap you from here to Pittsburgh." Actually, this type of abuse happened to Jimmy Cagney and Kate Smith, among others.
defundthewar 2 years ago
Erin Fleming, was a mentally challenged pardon the term be prepared to bleep lol bitch. She used Groucho, she was much like Martha Raye's husband in her advanced stage of alzheimers/limited mobility he dragged her to every single event even though she never had any idea where she was and usually fell asleep in her wheelchair. She was his meal ticket, as was Groucho Ms. Fleming's meal ticket. Without Groucho she would have been nothing.
cmcb09 2 years ago
We'll never hear Erin's side, but it is entirely possible she began with good intentions, then realized she was in over her head taking care of a
frail, elderly man, and then became abusive, which is the oldest story in the world. Similar things happened, as I mentioned, with Kate Smith and Jimmy Cagney. Liza Minnelli cared for her mother's old friend/lover Kay Thompson, who died in her 90s, but there were all sorts of allegations at the end. Martha Raye is, to me, the worst example.
defundthewar 2 years ago 2
Everybody please read the memoir RAISED EYEBROWS by Steve Stoliar, one of Groucho's personal assistants in the mid-1970s. Erin Fleming was not the nicest of women.
zkg 2 years ago 13
for sure!
REDHAIREDMONSTER 2 years ago
Agree 100% but Groucho did hismelf no favors in this department, he was an apalling judge of women. He was so in aw of his mother for his entire life he could never replace her. When he married Kay he used to run her down terrinly. Much as I admire Groucho and his wonderful legacy, he definetly had a problem regarding women as equals.
zapkvr 2 years ago 6
@zkg I'm reading it now. Gawd she was a biatche from hell.
xxxMrSuspendedxxx 1 year ago
@zkg ...And there are various reasons for that! X-D
Oh, Hollywood: I hardly knew ye (ossum)!@#
LouisLambert 1 year ago
@zkg Absolutely right! The Stoliar book and the Hector Arce book ("Groucho") both have matching stories about how whacked out loony Erin Fleming was. She pushed Groucho to do shows later in life when he was completely out of it, simply to advance her own career and make money (she got a big piece of his earnings). Later, she was ordered examined by a court physician and was confirmed to be "severely mentally ill". She was in and out of mental hospitals and later committed suicide.
Lampshade51 8 months ago 2
@Lampshade51 thanks...very insightful
MrGziss 7 months ago
@zkg Ordered it, as well as the Arce book. In the last few months I have read in order: Harpo Speaks, Groucho and Me, Hello, I must be Going, Growing up with Chico, and the expanded edition of My Life with Groucho, which had the Arthur's entire account of the legal battle with Erin. It was horrific. I immediately remembered these comments and wondered aloud how Chandler could have glossed over what was going on. I'm anxious to get the Stoliar and Arce books for comparison to Arthur's.
shinzu4001 5 months ago
Erin Fleming was a blunt cunt bitch who was as crazy as a shithouse rat,and as cuddly as Hitler. Groucho's entire staff hated her guts for her self-centeredness,unpredictability,and cruelty. After Groucho's death in '77,she was ordered to repay $400,000 she had bled from him over the years. She became a drunken,drug-addicted "bag lady". When she finally blew her brains out,the world heaved a sigh of relief. "Good widdance to bad wubbish",as Elmer Fudd would say...
vonsmitty1313 2 years ago
I concur. May that bitch rot in Hell! Groucho may have had bad marriages but no deserves to be treated the way he was.
stumblinzombie 2 years ago
Yeah 2:09 is scary! Evil! I just finished reading "Hello I must be going"...
remmymchina 3 years ago
I think that one hideous shot of her shows more of her than any of this
REDHAIREDMONSTER 2 years ago
I'd say it's divine justice that he ended up with this "frigid cow" (to quote berkyberk67). He'd driven his three previous loving, devoted wives to alcoholism with his callousness & neglect. (Er ... but I'm a huge fan of his comedy.)
flimpkin4 3 years ago
maybe it's just me, but I dunno, the way she blinks and moves her face around, it almost looks like she has a nervous twitch or something. like a little "off".
oobah2 3 years ago
no, she's just insane. I dated a schizophrenic. She has the facial mannerisms for sure.
dedbusted 2 years ago 2
Suddenly, the show's not that funny
stokepogue 3 years ago 3
Wow is she obnoxious! Groucho deserved better than this frigid cow ...
berkyberk67 3 years ago 2
Wow, that look she has at 2:09 - feigned smile, and a predatory "Don't fuck this up, Groucho" expression.
Or maybe I'm just reading too far into it. What can you say though - she was accused of being Groucho's Lady Svengali, and she ultimately shot herself.
Poopookachew1 3 years ago
Fleming was a gold-digging fame-seeker that some say ended up insane,while others will insist she was nuts all along. Groucho suffered a stroke on Erin's birthday,and she threw a fit,accusing him of ruining her birthday "on purpose"...
vonsmitty1313 3 years ago
@vonsmitty1313 Odd, I highly douth they are even distantly related but Ern Fleming who was a abuseive bich was the same last name as Susan Marx, Susan s maiden name Harpo s beloved wife. By all acounts Harpo and Susan had a loveing marriage and relationship AND a wonderful family life, 4 kids. Now that is contrast. And Harpo got it right the first time
gibbdreamer 1 year ago
Groucho doesn't seem particularly fond of her.
kolst8406 3 years ago 4
Erin Fleming's real name was Marilyn. Mental illness is a terrible disease.
yardleyaloe 3 years ago 9
Erin committed suicide in a psych hospital in Canada a few years back,
holden190 3 years ago
Please put up anything you have on Erin Fleming. It's fascinating to see her and Groucho together.
kolst8406 3 years ago
Erin Fleming was a nazist. I've read Arthur Marx's "Growing Up with the Marx Bros". Frightful.
epicentrobotamico 3 years ago 4