The Three Stooges were an
American vaudeville and
comedy act of the 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 baldheaded comedian
Joe Besser, and eventually by
Joe "Curly-Joe" DeRita (born Joseph Wardell). After Larry's death,
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 like Larry's posing with Moe and Curly-Joe prior to Moe's death. Larry's death marked the end of the act.
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