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Three Stooges

For a large part of the 20th century, the slapstick antics of the Three Stooges dominated the comedy world in movies and television. Originally featuring Moe Howard (1897-1975), his brother, Shemp (1895-1955), and their friend Larry Fine (1902-1975), the act made its feature-film debut with the 1930 Hollywood film Soup to Nuts. With their trademark physical comedy and silly one-liners, the Three Stooges made a series of popular full-length films from 1959 to 1965. The group changed members over the years, with Curly Howard (1903-1952), another brother, replacing Shemp until a debilitating stroke brought Shemp's return in 1946. Shemp's sudden death in 1955 saw comedian Joe Besser (1907-1988) join the Stooges.