Herbert Manfred Marx, later known as Zeppo, was born in Manhattan, New York City. He was the youngest of the five Marx Brothers, born to Samuel 'Frenchie' Marx and Minnie Schoenberg Marx. The family's roots in vaudeville profoundly influenced his upbringing.

Zeppo's early life was steeped in the atmosphere of vaudeville. His mother, Minnie, played a crucial role in managing and promoting her sons' careers. The family's financial struggles and constant touring shaped Zeppo's experiences and exposed him to the world of performance from a young age.

Zeppo began performing with his brothers in various acts, initially musical and later comedic. While Groucho, Harpo, and Chico developed their distinctive personas early, Zeppo's role was often less defined in these early years. He contributed vocally and often played the straight man.