 His father was a stockbroker; his mother a housewife and preschool teacher.He attended Catholic schools including Christian Brothers-run La Salle High School in Pasadena, California where he first performed comedy.Discovered in 1985 by Groucho's son, the playwright Arthur Marx, when Ferrante was attending the University of Southern California Division of Drama, Ferrante went on to portray Groucho from age 15 to 85 in the New York City, London and PBS television versions of Arthur's play.