<span class="SFPTagline"> From SCIFIPEDIA </span>

The Three Stooges were an American movie comedy team.

Originally supporting comedian Ted Healy, the act was billed as Ted Healy and His Stooges (which befitted their secondary role).

When they went out on their own, they kept the Stooge moniker, which is now much better known than Healy is to the general public.

 

 

Actual brothers Moe, Shemp and Curley Howard (Horwitz) didn't make up the three, although they were all in one short together. Larry Fine, who had a violin comedy act prior to joining up, is the third stooge.

Stooges Moe, Lary & Curley

Stooges Shemp, Larry & Moe

Moe, Larry, and Shemp were briefly the Stooges, until Shemp went out on his own. Curley replaced Shemp, and most fans think that was the most successful line-up. When Curley had a stroke, Shemp returned to the team.

Many Stooge shorts contain sci-fi elements, as does the feature length Have Rocket, Will Travel.

 

When Shemp died, Joe Besser replaced him. Besser was in turn replaced by "Curly Joe" DeRita after the trio found new popularity when Stooge shorts became very popular on TV, and Besser had left to care for his sick wife.