Most 'baby boomers' will know that the 3 stooges are what TV's were made for. At least that's the way I felt as a kid who couldn't wait for the end of the school day to get home and watch the 3 stooges. Their slapstick comedy was wild and zany, and best of all HILARIOUS. They were always there when when you needed a few good 'NYUK's'. And you know what? These shows are funnier now more than ever. Usually, as you get older, the things you found funny as a child aren't as funny anymore. Not with the Stooges. Were they too violent? Nah, well maybe a little. Heck, I never saw any blood. Well, anyway it didn't have a negative effect on me. Sure, I on occasion will poke my wife in the eyes or put her head in a vise now and then but that's because sometimes she's a "wise guy".
Were they too violent? Nah, well maybe a little. Heck, I never saw any blood. Well, anyway it didn't have a negative effect on me. Sure, I on occasion will poke my wife in the eyes or put her head in a vise now and then but that's because sometimes she's a "wise guy".
Moe was the undisputed leader (and disciplinarian) of the 3 stooges. He was the one with the brains (now that's a scary thought).
Moe Howard's real name was Moses Horwitz. He was born on June 19, 1897, in Bensonhurst, New York, a small Jewish community on the outskirts of Brooklyn. Moe was the brother of stooges Curly and Shemp.
Moe was the businessman behind the 3 stooges. It's been written that Curly and Larry were carefree individuals, never too keen on punctuality and with little regard for money matters. Moe shouldered the business matters for all of them.
His favorite 3 Stooges comedy was YOU NAZTY SPY (1940).
Moe was married almost 50 years to his wife, Helen. Moe died on May 4, 1975. When asked how long the Stooges would remain in show business, Moe replied, "Forever is a long time, but with a little luck, we just might make it."
Larry's real name was Louis Feinberg and he was born on October 5, 1902, in the south side of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Larry wasn't just a great comedian, he was a gifted musician who played several instruments.
Larry's favorite comedians were Milton Berle, Jack Benny and Redd Foxx. His favorite Three Stooges films were SCRAMBLED BRAINS (1951), and THE THREE STOOGES MEET HERCULES (1962).
Larry fine died on January 24, 1975.
Without a doubt, Curly was the most popular member of the Three Stooges. He has become a true American cult hero. He was the most inventive of the stooges. His hilarious improvisations and now classic catch-phrases like "N'yuk-n'yuk-n'yuk!" and "Wooo-wooo-woooo!" have endeared Curly to his legion of fans.
His real name was Jerome Lester Horwitz and he was born on October 22, 1903 in Brooklyn, New York. Early on, Curly was nicknamed "Babe" by his brother Moe. It's been written that Curly was actually a quiet child and gave his parents little trouble but that Moe and Shemp made up for him in this area.
As a young man Curly loved to dance and became quite an accomplished ballroom dancer. Curly loved women but didn't have much success when it came to marriage. He was married four times in his life.
Curly lead a lifestyle of eating, drinking, and making merry which lead to serious health problems for him at an early age. Curly died on January 18, 1952. He was forty-eight years old.
Curly's talent, his art of comedy and his contributions as a Stooge continue to be enjoyed by millions throughout the world.
Shemp Howard's real name was Samuel Horwitz and he was born in Brooklyn, New York, on March 17, 1895.
Along with Moe and Larry, Shemp was one of the original Stooges when they were with vaudeville comedian, Ted Healy. It was in 1932 that Shemp left the act to use his wide-ranging talents in various film productions, including features and featurettes. He later played the role of Knobby Walsh in the Joe Palooka series. His leaving the act also gave his kid brother Curly the opportunity that lead to him becoming the worlds favorite Stooge.
After Curly suffered a massive stroke in 1946, Moe and Larry hoped that Curly would recover and return to the team. However, Curly never did recover his old stamina and Moe suggested to Columbia's executives that Shemp Howard, Curly's older brother, replace him. At first the executives opposed the idea because they felt Shemp looked too much like Moe. But Shemp did join the Stooges and they went on to make some of the funniest Three Stooges films ever.
Shemp's favorite Three Stooges film was Fright Night (1947), his first comedy with the Three Stooges. Shemp died on November 23, 1955.