Marlow was born to Bernice and Arthur Schafler in the Bronx, New York. He was raised in Long Island, New York. Marlow had several accidents in his youth, resulting in broken noses, fractured ankles, torn ligaments, and a fractured skull from a diving accident. Following his school years, he joined the Army, but due to his fractured skull, the Army felt he was unsuitable for duty. Owing to his love of music, especially singing, he spent a lot of time with his Aunt, who worked as a secretary for the president of Chappell & Company, later known as Warner/Chappell Music. He got to meet up-and-coming artists and established celebrities of the time, including Tommy Dorsey, Harry James, Oscar Levant, Rudy Vallee and Red Nichols. Marlow started his career singing in local cafes across the country. He also worked several odd jobs, from hauling cement, to driving a cab. After becoming a featured vocalist at New York's Basin Street, he began singing in major clubs. When he finally landed an appointment with a casting director, he started down the road of acting. He joined the Screen Actors Guild in 1959. Due to his tough, chiseled features, he was usually cast as a bad guy gangster in television shows like, "This Man Dawson", "The Lawless Years", "Border Patrol", "Death Valley Days", "Bonanza", and many others. He became good friends with the stars of those shows.
A Taste Of Honey
Marlow's life took a turn back to music when his former pianist, Bobby Scott, needed someone to help him put together a song for a Broadway adaptation of the play A Taste of Honey, written by Shelagh Delaney. The song they created was also titled "A Taste of Honey". "I ran over and Bobby and I put this song together in five minutes and rushed it to the theater," Ric reflected one evening to his stepsons, Parris and Dalton. "I never guessed it would become such a hit." And a hit it was. It has been recorded by hundreds of artists including the Beatles, Tony Bennett, and Peggy Lee. It has sold more than 300 million copies internationally, and earned Marlow a gold record. In 1962, he won a Grammy Award for best instrumental theme. The version recorded by Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass received the most awards.
Personal life
Marlow was married five times and had seven children: one daughter, one step-daughter, and five step-sons.
