He died exactly twenty-five years ago.
I grew up watching him and his brothers on my dad’s old VCR. Dad taped the movies when they’d come on TV, and I’d watch ’em over and over again. When I was reading Cerebus (before Dave Sim got weird and let his misogynist out), the best part of reading it was always Lord Julius.
I met Jennifer at a Hallowe’en party dressed like him. I used one of his favorite bits:
WOMAN: I have twelve children.
GROUCHO: Twelve children? My goodness!
WOMAN: I’m very devoted to my husband.
GROUCHO: Well, I’m devoted to my cigar, but I take it out of my mouth every once in a while.
I never knew him, so I can’t say I miss him, but the world has been a little sadder ever since he went away.