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One of the earliest, popular moustached faces in television is that of Groucho Marx, the American comedian and film star. He was born in 1890 and died at the ripe old age of eighty-seven in 1977. At the start of his career, he used grease paint to paint on his outrageously large moustache and eyebrows. However, he soon grew his own – which he wore for the rest of his life. Groucho, in his heyday, was one of the most recognisable celebrities of his time.

Laurel and Hardy

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Stan Laurel – the thin one – was British born. He changed his name from Stanley Jefferson when he moved to America at twenty-two, because he was concerned that his name was too long and fussy for the American show business arena. Oliver Hardy – the bigger one – was American. He was born Norvell Hardy, but also changed his name when he was eighteen years old. They rose to fame on the American TV scene, and were famous around the 1920s – 30s, working mainly in motion pictures and on stage. They managed to appear together in a staggering 106 films. Now how’s that for a partnership! Laurel sported a toothbrush type moustache, the same style as Hitler and Mugabe, but along with his partner, he has provided the world with belly laughs and an impressive amount of slapstick comedy.

Clark Gable

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Another instantly recognizable moustached heart-throb was Clarke Gable. His smooth performance in Gone With the Wind, got him nominated for ‘Best Actor.’ Gable had a hiccoughing start to his life, not only was he registered as a girl on his birth certificate, but his voice was very high and terribly whiny. After much training and make-overs, Clark Gable became what is now known as an A list film star. He worked as a Stage actor between 1924-1930, during which time, he appeared as an extra in many motion pictures. After he made it big-time, his moustache made him probably the most recognizable actor of his time. After all, he played the leading man for most of his film acting life.

Adolf Hitler

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Adolf Hitler was born of parents who were blood-relations to each other, and was the fourth of six children. However, only two of his parents’ children reached adulthood – Adolf and a younger sister. He failed his first year in high school, and had to be put back a grade. During his young years, after twice being refused entry into an art school, he sold his paintings in the street to tourists. Money soon ran out and he eventually found himself homeless. Time progressed, and after being deemed unfit to serve in the Austrian army, he signed up with the Bavarian army during WW1.

He later became a German politician, but the Germans will always rightly point out that he was actually born in Austria. After a year of joining up, he became the leader of what is now known as the Nazi Party, and ruled Germany from 1933-1945. Unfortunately, everyone knows what happened next. This type of moustache would have probably been more widely used, were it not for the fact that this was the man who made it famous.

Mahatma Gandhi

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I included this second picture because it proves that Ghandi had a moustache ever since he was a little boy (but I jest).

His real name was Mohandas Karamchand Ghandi. He was a well-known political and spiritual leader of India. He has since become one of the icons representing non-violent demonstrations and civil rights freedom for downtrodden people all over the world. Mahatma (‘Great Soul’ in Sanskrit) gave up his job as a lawyer in South Africa in 1915, and returned to India to fight the cause of his people living in poverty. He has done so much for the world and the way in which we view our freedom. I think that his round glasses and moustache come together in a way that makes him one of the easiest identifiable men in history.

Frank Zappa

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Zappa was born in 1940 and is of Greek/Arab/Italian decent. He started composing music when he was still at high school.

Zappa was everything and anything. His artistic career over thirty years, saw him as a record producer, guitar player, film director, song writer and solo artist. He had a keen interest in politics and became very active in world affairs during the latter part of his life. He spent all of his music career wearing his trademark bushy moustache with a little goatee under his bottom lip.

All these men made an impact creatively, politically, or socially. I am tempted to think that if it wasn’t for the moustaches, they would be ordinary looking men who would not be so readily identifiable. What do you think?

Part two is now available here

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