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Shemp Howard

Shemp Howard

Acting

Born: March 11, 1895Brooklyn, 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.

Known For
Filmography
Three Stooges Comedy Collection

Three Stooges Comedy Collection

2024
Stooge O-Rama: The Men Behind the Mayhem - And Even More Mayhem!

Stooge O-Rama: The Men Behind the Mayhem - And Even More Mayhem!

2023
The Three Stooges in 3D

The Three Stooges in 3D

Shemp

2012
The Three Stooges: Five of Their Greatest Shorts

The Three Stooges: Five of Their Greatest Shorts

2009
Shemp Cocktail: A Toast to the Original Stooge

Shemp Cocktail: A Toast to the Original Stooge

Self (archive footage)

2008
Three Stooges 75th Anniversary Special

Three Stooges 75th Anniversary Special

Shemp (archive footage)

2003
The Three Stooges: Kings Of Laughter

The Three Stooges: Kings Of Laughter

Shemp

2001
The Three Stooges Story

The Three Stooges Story

Shemp

2001

The Three Stooges - Simply Hilarious

Shemp

2000
The Three Stooges Greatest Hits!

The Three Stooges Greatest Hits!

Self / Shemp (archive footage)

1997
The Lost Stooges

The Lost Stooges

Himself

1990
Classic Comedy Teams

Classic Comedy Teams

Shemp (archive footage)

1986

Three Stooges: Greatest Routines

Shemp

1964
Triple Crossed

Triple Crossed

Shemp (archive footage) (uncredited)

1959
Commotion on the Ocean

Commotion on the Ocean

Shemp (archive footage)

1956
Scheming Schemers

Scheming Schemers

Shemp (archive footage)

1956
Hot Stuff

Hot Stuff

Shemp (archive footage)

1956
Rumpus in the Harem

Rumpus in the Harem

Shemp (archive footage)

1956
For Crimin' Out Loud

For Crimin' Out Loud

Shemp

1956
Flagpole Jitters

Flagpole Jitters

Shemp

1956
Creeps

Creeps

Shemp / Shemp's son

1956
Husbands Beware

Husbands Beware

Prof. Shemp Howard

1956
Columbia Laff Hour

Columbia Laff Hour

Shemp

1956
Blunder Boys

Blunder Boys

Various Days

1955
Hot Ice

Hot Ice

Shemp

1955
Wham-Bam-Slam!

Wham-Bam-Slam!

Shemp

1955
Stone Age Romeos

Stone Age Romeos

Shemp

1955
Gypped in the Penthouse

Gypped in the Penthouse

Shemp

1955
Bedlam in Paradise

Bedlam in Paradise

Shemp

1955
Of Cash and Hash

Of Cash and Hash

Shemp

1955
Fling in the Ring

Fling in the Ring

Shemp

1955
Scotched in Scotland

Scotched in Scotland

Shemp

1954
Shot in the Frontier

Shot in the Frontier

Shemp

1954
Knutzy Knights

Knutzy Knights

Shemp

1954
Pals and Gals

Pals and Gals

Shemp

1954
Musty Musketeers

Musty Musketeers

Shemp

1954
Income Tax Sappy

Income Tax Sappy

Shemp

1954
Goof on the Roof

Goof on the Roof

Shemp

1953
Bubble Trouble

Bubble Trouble

Shemp

1953
Rip, Sew and Stitch

Rip, Sew and Stitch

Shemp

1953
Pardon My Backfire

Pardon My Backfire

Shemp

1953
Spooks!

Spooks!

Shemp

1953
Tricky Dicks

Tricky Dicks

Shemp

1953
Loose Loot

Loose Loot

Shemp

1953
Booty and the Beast

Booty and the Beast

Shemp

1953
Up in Daisy's Penthouse

Up in Daisy's Penthouse

Shemp / Shemp Howard Sr.

1953
Cuckoo on a Choo Choo

Cuckoo on a Choo Choo

Shemp

1952
Three Dark Horses

Three Dark Horses

Shemp

1952
Gents in a Jam

Gents in a Jam

Shemp

1952
He Cooked His Goose

He Cooked His Goose

Shemp

1952
Listen Judge

Listen Judge

Shemp

1952
Corny Casanovas

Corny Casanovas

Shemp

1952
A Missed Fortune

A Missed Fortune

Shemp

1952
Pest Man Wins

Pest Man Wins

Shemp

1951
Hula-La-La

Hula-La-La

Shemp

1951
The Tooth Will Out

The Tooth Will Out

Shemp

1951
Gold Raiders

Gold Raiders

Shemp

1951
Merry Mavericks

Merry Mavericks

Shemp

1951
Scrambled Brains

Scrambled Brains

Shemp

1951
Don't Throw That Knife

Don't Throw That Knife

Shemp

1951
Baby Sitters Jitters

Baby Sitters Jitters

Shemp

1951
Three Arabian Nuts

Three Arabian Nuts

Shemp

1951
A Snitch in Time

A Snitch in Time

Shemp

1950
Slaphappy Sleuths

Slaphappy Sleuths

Shemp

1950
Studio Stoops

Studio Stoops

Shemp

1950
Three Hams on Rye

Three Hams on Rye

Shemp

1950
Self Made Maids

Self Made Maids

Shemp / Shempetta

1950
Love at First Bite

Love at First Bite

Shemp

1950
Dopey Dicks

Dopey Dicks

Shemp

1950
Hugs and Mugs

Hugs and Mugs

Shemp

1950
Punchy Cowpunchers

Punchy Cowpunchers

Shemp

1950
Jerks of All Trades

Jerks of All Trades

Shemp

1949
Dunked in the Deep

Dunked in the Deep

Shemp

1949
Vagabond Loafers

Vagabond Loafers

Shemp

1949
Malice in the Palace

Malice in the Palace

Shemp

1949
Hokus Pokus

Hokus Pokus

Shemp

1949
Africa Screams

Africa Screams

Gunner

1949
Fuelin' Around

Fuelin' Around

Shemp

1949
Who Done It?

Who Done It?

Shemp

1949
The Ghost Talks

The Ghost Talks

Shemp

1949
Crime on Their Hands

Crime on Their Hands

Shemp

1948
Mummy's Dummies

Mummy's Dummies

Shemp

1948
I'm a Monkey's Uncle

I'm a Monkey's Uncle

Shemp

1948
Heavenly Daze

Heavenly Daze

Shemp

1948
The Hot Scots

The Hot Scots

Shemp

1948
Fiddlers Three

Fiddlers Three

Shemp

1948
Squareheads of the Round Table

Squareheads of the Round Table

Shemp

1948
Pardon My Clutch

Pardon My Clutch

Shemp

1948
Shivering Sherlocks

Shivering Sherlocks

Shemp

1948
All Gummed Up

All Gummed Up

Shemp

1947
Sing a Song of Six Pants

Sing a Song of Six Pants

Shemp

1947
Brideless Groom

Brideless Groom

Shemp

1947
Hold That Lion!

Hold That Lion!

Shemp

1947
Out West

Out West

Shemp

1947
Bride and Gloom

Bride and Gloom

Shemp

1947
Fright Night

Fright Night

Shemp

1947

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

Himself

1947
Blondie Knows Best

Blondie Knows Best

Jim Gray

1946
Society Mugs

Society Mugs

Shemp

1946
Dangerous Business

Dangerous Business

Monk

1946
One Exciting Week

One Exciting Week

Marvin Lewis

1946
Jiggers, My Wife

Jiggers, My Wife

Woodcock 'Woody' J. Strinker

1946
Mr. Noisy

Mr. Noisy

Noisy

1946
The Gentleman Misbehaves

The Gentleman Misbehaves

Marty

1946
A Hit with a Miss

A Hit with a Miss

Rameses - Prizefighter

1945
Where the Pest Begins

Where the Pest Begins

Shemp Howard

1945
Trouble Chasers

Trouble Chasers

Shemp Howard

1945
Off Again, On Again

Off Again, On Again

Woodcock Q. Strinker

1945
Crazy Knights

Crazy Knights

Shemp

1944
Open Season for Saps

Open Season for Saps

Woodcock Q. Strinker

1944
Strange Affair

Strange Affair

Laundry Truck Driver

1944
Moonlight and Cactus

Moonlight and Cactus

Punchy Carter

1944
Pick a Peck of Plumbers

Pick a Peck of Plumbers

Elmer Peabody

1944
Three of a Kind

Three of a Kind

Shemp Howard

1944
Crazy House

Crazy House

Mumbo

1943
Keep 'Em Slugging

Keep 'Em Slugging

Binky

1943
It Ain't Hay

It Ain't Hay

Umbrella Sam

1943
How's About It

How's About It

Alf

1943
Arabian Nights

Arabian Nights

Sinbad

1942
Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh

Shorty (The Tailor)

1942
Strictly in the Groove

Strictly in the Groove

Pops

1942
Private Buckaroo

Private Buckaroo

Sgt. 'Muggsy' Shavel

1942
Mississippi Gambler

Mississippi Gambler

Milton Davis - Brooklyn Cab Driver

1942
The Strange Case of Doctor Rx

The Strange Case of Doctor Rx

Det. Sgt. Sweeney

1942
Butch Minds the Baby

Butch Minds the Baby

'Squinty' Sweeny

1942
Hellzapoppin'

Hellzapoppin'

Louie

1941
The Three Stooges: Live and Hilarious

The Three Stooges: Live and Hilarious

Shemp

1941
Hold That Ghost

Hold That Ghost

Soda Jerk

1941

Too Many Blondes

Hotel Manager Ambrose Tripp

1941
The Flame of New Orleans

The Flame of New Orleans

Oyster Bed Cafe Waiter (uncredited)

1941
Cracked Nuts

Cracked Nuts

Eddie / Ivan

1941
Hit the Road

Hit the Road

Dingbat

1941
San Antonio Rose

San Antonio Rose

Benny the Bounce

1941
Tight Shoes

Tight Shoes

Okay

1941
In the Navy

In the Navy

Dizzy

1941
Mr. Dynamite

Mr. Dynamite

'Abdullah'

1941
Road Show

Road Show

Moe Parker (uncredited)

1941

Meet the Chump

Stinky Fink

1941
Buck Privates

Buck Privates

Chef

1941
Six Lessons From Madame La Zonga

Six Lessons From Madame La Zonga

Gabby

1941
The Invisible Woman

The Invisible Woman

Frankie

1940
Give Us Wings

Give Us Wings

Buzz Berger

1940
Murder Over New York

Murder Over New York

Shorty McCoy alias Rashid the Fakir

1940
The Bank Dick

The Bank Dick

Joe Guelpe

1940
The Leather Pushers

The Leather Pushers

Sailor McNeill

1940
Pleased to Mitt You

Pleased to Mitt You

Pat Patrick

1940
Millionaires in Prison

Millionaires in Prison

Professor

1940
Boobs in the Woods

Boobs in the Woods

Gus

1940
The Lone Wolf Meets a Lady

The Lone Wolf Meets a Lady

Joe - a Pickpocket

1940
Money Squawks

Money Squawks

Shemp

1940
Glove Slingers

Glove Slingers

Pat Patrick

1939
Another Thin Man

Another Thin Man

Wacky (uncredited)

1939
Home on the Rage

Home on the Rage

Happy

1938

Not Guilty Enough

Brother-in-Law

1938
Headin' East

Headin' East

Windy Wylie

1937
Hollywood Round-Up

Hollywood Round-Up

Oscar Bush

1937
Taking the Count

Taking the Count

Knobby Walsh

1937
Kick Me Again

Kick Me Again

Knobby Walsh

1937
The Blonde Bomber

The Blonde Bomber

Knobby Walsh

1936
The Choke's on You

The Choke's on You

Knobby Walsh

1936
Punch and Beauty

Punch and Beauty

Knobby Walsh

1936
Here's Howe

Here's Howe

Knobby Walsh

1936
Absorbing Junior

Absorbing Junior

Henry, the Husband

1936
For the Love of Pete

For the Love of Pete

Knobby Walsh

1936
While the Cat's Away

While the Cat's Away

Henry

1936
The Officer's Mess

The Officer's Mess

Gus Doakes

1935
Convention Girl

Convention Girl

Dan Higgins

1935
On the Wagon

On the Wagon

Henry

1935
Serves You Right

Serves You Right

Johnny Spivens

1935
Why Pay Rent?

Why Pay Rent?

Henry

1935
His First Flame

His First Flame

Smokey Moe

1935
A Peach of a Pair

A Peach of a Pair

Butler

1934
Dizzy & Daffy

Dizzy & Daffy

Lefty Howard

1934
So You Won't T-T-T-Talk

So You Won't T-T-T-Talk

Henry

1934
Smoked Hams

Smoked Hams

Henry Howard

1934
Daredevil O'Dare

Daredevil O'Dare

Butch

1934
My Mummy's Arms

My Mummy's Arms

Kenneth

1934
Art Trouble

Art Trouble

Short Painter

1934
Rambling 'Round Radio Row #9

Rambling 'Round Radio Row #9

Songwriters' Representative

1934
I Scream

I Scream

Moran's Henchman

1934
Corn on the Cop

Corn on the Cop

Reginald / Reggie

1934
Pure Feud

Pure Feud

Clem McCarthy

1934
Very Close Veins

Very Close Veins

Sourdough

1934
Everybody Likes Music

Everybody Likes Music

Shemp Howard

1934
Pugs and Kisses

Pugs and Kisses

Dopey Traynor

1934
The Knife of the Party

The Knife of the Party

Shemp Howard

1934
Mushrooms

Mushrooms

Thorndike

1934
The Wrong, Wrong Trail

The Wrong, Wrong Trail

Piano Mover

1934
Henry the Ache

Henry the Ache

Artie - One of King Henry's Lackeys

1934
Howd' Ya Like That?

Howd' Ya Like That?

Sailor

1934
Here Comes Flossie!

Here Comes Flossie!

Ezry

1933
In the Dough

In the Dough

Bugs

1933
Gobs of Fun

Gobs of Fun

Club patron

1933
Paul Revere, Jr.

Paul Revere, Jr.

Attendant

1933
Close Relations

Close Relations

One of the Moles

1933
Salt Water Daffy

Salt Water Daffy

Wilbur the Kleptomaniac

1933
Soup to Nuts

Soup to Nuts

Fireman

1930
Spring Fever

Spring Fever

1919