A painter and sculptor, Malvin Albright was born in Chicago, one of twin sons of Adam Emory Albright, famous Chicago figure painter of juvenile subjects, who often used Malvin and his brother Ivan Le Lorraine as models.

Malvin's middle name, Marr, was after Wisconsin artist Carl von Marr, painting companion of his father. The father's academic background at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and study in Paris and Munich set precedents for his sons, and Ivan also became a well-known painter. Malvin took the professional last name of Zsissly with which he signed much of his work. The reason for this is said to be that Adam Albright wanted his family to be represented at both ends of alphabetical art catalogs, ...