Shemp Howard

Known for ActingBorn 1895-03-11Died 1955-11-22Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Samuel (born Shmuel) Horwitz (March 11, 1895 – November 22, 1955), known professionally as Shemp Howard, was an American actor and comedian. He is best known today for his role as the third stooge in the Three Stooges, a role he first portrayed at the beginning of the act in the early 1920s (1923–1932) while the act was still associated with Ted Healy and known as "Ted Healy and his Stooges", and again from 1946 until his death in 1955. Between his times with the Stooges, Shemp had a successful film career as a solo comedian. He was born in Manhattan, New York and raised in Brooklyn, the third-born of five Horwitz brothers, sons of Lithuanian Jewish parents. Moses - professionally known as Moe Howard - and Jerome - professionally known as Curly Howard - were his younger brothers. Throughout his career Shemp seldom stuck to the script and would liven up scenes with ad-libbed incidental dialogue or wisecracks. This became a trademark of his performances. His most notable characteristic as a Stooge was a high-pitched "bee-bee-bee-bee-bee-bee!" sound, a sort of soft screech done by inhaling. It became his signature sound. He used his somewhat homely appearance for comic effect, often mugging grotesquely or allowing his hair to fall in disarray. Shemp was married to the former Gertrude Frank, whom he wed in September 1925. The couple had one child, Morton (1926–1972). On November 22, 1955, while returning home in a taxicab following attending a boxing match with friends, Shemp, age 60, died of a sudden massive heart attack. The Three Stooges have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1560 Vine Street.Read more

Movies & web series

Tight Shoes

Headin' East

While the Cat's Away

On the Wagon

The Officer's Mess

Why Pay Rent?

Daredevil O'Dare

The Lost Stooges

The Three Stooges: Hey Moe! Hey Dad!

Three Stooges: Greatest Routines

Three Stooges 75th Anniversary Special

Dangerous Business

Strictly in the Groove

Mr. Dynamite

Not Guilty Enough

Kick Me Again

Here's Howe

For the Love of Pete

His First Flame

Pugs and Kisses

Mushrooms

Pure Feud

My Mummy's Arms

Blunder Boys

Income Tax Sappy

Jiggers, My Wife

The Gentleman Misbehaves

Trouble Chasers

Butch Minds the Baby

Too Many Blondes

The Leather Pushers

Taking the Count

The Choke's on You

Convention Girl

Smoked Hams

A Peach of a Pair

Howd' Ya Like That?

Scrambled Brains

Three Arabian Nuts

Vagabond Loafers

Hold That Lion!

Who Done It?

Out West

Heavenly Daze

The Three Stooges Greatest Hits!

The Three Stooges 75th Anniversary Edition: Tales from the Three Stooges Vol. 1

Boobs in the Woods

Goof on the Roof