THE THREE STOOGES
The Three Stooges were an American vaudeville and comedy act of the early to mid-20th
century best known for their numerous short subject films. They were commonly
known by their first names: 'Moe, Larry, & Curly', and 'Moe, Larry, & Shemp',
among other lineups. The act originally featured Moe Howard (born Harry Moses
Horwitz), brother Shemp Howard (born Samuel Horwitz), and longtime friend Larry
Fine (born Louis Feinberg). Shemp was later replaced by brother Curly Howard (born
Jerome Lester Horwitz) in 1932. When Curly suffered a debilitating stroke in
1946, Shemp rejoined the act. After Shemp's death in 1955, he was replaced by
bald-headed comedian Joe Besser, and eventually by Joe "Curly-Joe" DeRita (born
Joseph Wardell). After Larry's stroke, Emil Sitka, a longtime actor in Stooge
comedies, was contracted to replace Larry, but no film was ever made with him in
the role, although publicity photographs exist of him with his hair combed
similarly to Larry's posing with Moe and Curly-Joe prior to Moe's death. Larry's
paralyzing stroke in 1970 marked the official end of the act.
The Stooges' hallmark was extremely physical slapstick comedy punctuated by one-liners,
within outrageous storylines.
The Three Stooges were an American vaudeville and comedy act of the early to mid-20th
century best known for their numerous short subject films. They were commonly
known by their first names: 'Moe, Larry, & Curly', and 'Moe, Larry, & Shemp',
among other lineups. The act originally featured Moe Howard (born Harry Moses
Horwitz), brother Shemp Howard (born Samuel Horwitz), and longtime friend Larry
Fine (born Louis Feinberg). Shemp was later replaced by brother Curly Howard (born
Jerome Lester Horwitz) in 1932. When Curly suffered a debilitating stroke in
1946, Shemp rejoined the act. After Shemp's death in 1955, he was replaced by
bald-headed comedian Joe Besser, and eventually by Joe "Curly-Joe" DeRita (born
Joseph Wardell). After Larry's stroke, Emil Sitka, a longtime actor in Stooge
comedies, was contracted to replace Larry, but no film was ever made with him in
the role, although publicity photographs exist of him with his hair combed
similarly to Larry's posing with Moe and Curly-Joe prior to Moe's death. Larry's
paralyzing stroke in 1970 marked the official end of the act.
The Stooges' hallmark was extremely physical slapstick comedy punctuated by one-liners,
within outrageous storylines.