The Three Stooges

The Three Stooges were formed in 1925 by vaudeville actor Ted Healy. Originally they were known as 'Ted Healy and His Stooges' (a.k.a. 'Ted Healy and His Southern Gentlemen', 'Ted Healy and His Three Lost Souls' and 'Ted Healy and His Racketeers').

Healy made his last appearance with the Stooges in 1934. The Stooges went on to star in movies and television specials. Through slapstick, the Stooges often served as "anti-heroes," representing the class divisions and economic hardships of The Great Depression.

Fast Facts

1. Started with two Horwitz brothers, Moe and Shemp, and Larry Fine
2. Curly, remembered as the breakout character, did not join the group until 1932, replacing his brother Shemp
3. There was only one film in which all three of the Horwitz (Howard) brothers appeared: 1947's Hold That Lion
4. The character we know as Curly was portrayed by four different actors

Combinations

• 1922-1923: Ted Healy, and Moe Howard
• 1922-1932: Ted Healy, Moe Howard, Larry Fine, and Shemp Howard
• 1932-1946: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, and Curly Howard
• 1947-1955: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, and Shemp Howard
• 1955-1958: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, and Joe Besser
• 1958-1975: Moe Howard, Larry Fine, and Curly Joe DeRita
• 1975: Moe Howard, Emil Sitka, and Curly Joe DeRita

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