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Shemp Howard
Actor

Shemp Howard

11 Mar 1895Born
22 Nov 1955Died
60Age at death
198Credits

Biography

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.

Read the full biography

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.

Known for

Filmography

The 80 most recent of 198 credits.

  1. TBAThe Three Stooges + Comedy Gold StandardSeries: Shemp (1 episode)
  2. 2024Three Stooges Comedy CollectionFilm: (archive footage) (uncredited)
  3. 2023Stooge O-Rama: The Men Behind the Mayhem - And Even More Mayhem!Film: (archive footage) (uncredited)
  4. 2015The Three Stooges: Hey Moe! Hey Dad!Series: Shemp (archive footage) (24 episodes)
  5. 2012The Three Stooges in 3DFilm: Shemp (archive footage) (uncredited)
  6. 2009The Three Stooges: Five of Their Greatest ShortsFilm: (archive footage) (uncredited)
  7. 2003Three Stooges 75th Anniversary SpecialFilm: Shemp (archive footage)
  8. 2001The Three Stooges StoryFilm: Shemp (archive footage) (uncredited)
  9. 2001The Three Stooges: Kings Of LaughterFilm: Shemp (archive footage) (uncredited)
  10. 2000The Three Stooges - Simply HilariousFilm: Shemp (archive footage) (uncredited)
  11. 1990The Lost StoogesFilm: (archive footage)
  12. 1986Classic Comedy TeamsFilm: Shemp (archive footage)
  13. 1964Three Stooges: Greatest RoutinesFilm: Shemp
  14. 1959Triple CrossedFilm: Shemp (archive footage) (uncredited)
  15. 1956Commotion on the OceanFilm: Shemp (archive footage)
  16. 1956Scheming SchemersFilm: Shemp (archive footage)
  17. 1956Hot StuffFilm: Shemp (archive footage)
  18. 1956Rumpus in the HaremFilm: Shemp (archive footage)
  19. 1956For Crimin' Out LoudFilm: Shemp
  20. 1956Flagpole JittersFilm: Shemp
  21. 1956CreepsFilm: Shemp / Shemp's son
  22. 1956Husbands BewareFilm: Prof. Shemp Howard
  23. 1956Columbia Laff HourFilm: Shemp
  24. 1955Blunder BoysFilm: Various Days
  25. 1955Hot IceFilm: Shemp
  26. 1955Wham-Bam-Slam!Film: Shemp
  27. 1955Stone Age RomeosFilm: Shemp
  28. 1955Gypped in the PenthouseFilm: Shemp
  29. 1955Bedlam in ParadiseFilm: Shemp
  30. 1955Of Cash and HashFilm: Shemp
  31. 1955Fling in the RingFilm: Shemp
  32. 1954Scotched in ScotlandFilm: Shemp
  33. 1954Shot in the FrontierFilm: Shemp
  34. 1954Knutzy KnightsFilm: Shemp
  35. 1954Pals and GalsFilm: Shemp
  36. 1954Musty MusketeersFilm: Shemp
  37. 1954Income Tax SappyFilm: Shemp
  38. 1953Goof on the RoofFilm: Shemp
  39. 1953Bubble TroubleFilm: Shemp
  40. 1953Rip, Sew and StitchFilm: Shemp
  41. 1953Pardon My BackfireFilm: Shemp
  42. 1953Spooks!Film: Shemp
  43. 1953Tricky DicksFilm: Shemp
  44. 1953Loose LootFilm: Shemp
  45. 1953Booty and the BeastFilm: Shemp
  46. 1953Up in Daisy's PenthouseFilm: Shemp / Shemp Howard Sr.
  47. 1952Cuckoo on a Choo ChooFilm: Shemp
  48. 1952Three Dark HorsesFilm: Shemp
  49. 1952Gents in a JamFilm: Shemp
  50. 1952He Cooked His GooseFilm: Shemp
  51. 1952Listen JudgeFilm: Shemp
  52. 1952Corny CasanovasFilm: Shemp
  53. 1952A Missed FortuneFilm: Shemp
  54. 1951Pest Man WinsFilm: Shemp
  55. 1951Hula-La-LaFilm: Shemp
  56. 1951The Tooth Will OutFilm: Shemp
  57. 1951Gold RaidersFilm: Shemp
  58. 1951Merry MavericksFilm: Shemp
  59. 1951Scrambled BrainsFilm: Shemp
  60. 1951Don't Throw That KnifeFilm: Shemp
  61. 1951Baby Sitters JittersFilm: Shemp
  62. 1951Three Arabian NutsFilm: Shemp
  63. 1950A Snitch in TimeFilm: Shemp
  64. 1950Slaphappy SleuthsFilm: Shemp
  65. 1950Studio StoopsFilm: Shemp
  66. 1950Three Hams on RyeFilm: Shemp
  67. 1950Self Made MaidsFilm: Shemp / Shempetta
  68. 1950Love at First BiteFilm: Shemp
  69. 1950Dopey DicksFilm: Shemp
  70. 1950Hugs and MugsFilm: Shemp
  71. 1950Punchy CowpunchersFilm: Shemp
  72. 1949Jerks of All TradesFilm: Shemp
  73. 1949Dunked in the DeepFilm: Shemp
  74. 1949Vagabond LoafersFilm: Shemp
  75. 1949Malice in the PalaceFilm: Shemp
  76. 1949Hokus PokusFilm: Shemp
  77. 1949Africa ScreamsFilm: Gunner
  78. 1949Fuelin' AroundFilm: Shemp
  79. 1949Who Done It?Film: Shemp
  80. 1949The Ghost TalksFilm: Shemp

Biography and credits from TMDB. This website uses TMDB and the TMDB APIs but is not endorsed, certified, or otherwise approved by TMDB.