Shemp Howard

Shemp Howard

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.

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Movies starring Shemp Howard (201)

Three Stooges Comedy Collection (2024)

(Archive Footage) (Uncredited)

The Three Stooges in 3D (2012)

Shemp (Archive Footage) (Uncredited)

The Three Stooges: Kings Of Laughter (2001)

Shemp (Archive Footage) (Uncredited)

The Three Stooges Story (2001)

Shemp (Archive Footage) (Uncredited)

The Three Stooges - Simply Hilarious (2000)

Shemp (Archive Footage) (Uncredited)

The Three Stooges Greatest Hits! (1997)

Self / Shemp (Archive Footage)

The Lost Stooges (1990)

(Archive Footage)

Classic Comedy Teams (1986)

Shemp (Archive Footage)

Triple Crossed (1959)

Shemp (Archive Footage) (Uncredited)

Commotion on the Ocean (1956)

Shemp (Archive Footage)

Scheming Schemers (1956)

Shemp (Archive Footage)

Hot Stuff (1956)

Shemp (Archive Footage)

Rumpus in the Harem (1956)

Shemp (Archive Footage)

Creeps (1956)

Shemp / Shemp's Son

Husbands Beware (1956)

Prof. Shemp Howard

Up in Daisy's Penthouse (1953)

Shemp / Shemp Howard Sr.

Self Made Maids (1950)

Shemp / Shempetta

Jiggers, My Wife (1946)

Woodcock 'Woody' J. Strinker

A Hit with a Miss (1945)

Rameses - Prizefighter

Off Again, On Again (1945)

Woodcock Q. Strinker

Open Season for Saps (1944)

Woodcock Q. Strinker

Strange Affair (1944)

Laundry Truck Driver

Pittsburgh (1942)

Shorty (The Tailor)

Private Buckaroo (1942)

Sgt. 'Muggsy' Shavel

Mississippi Gambler (1942)

Milton Davis - Brooklyn Cab Driver

Too Many Blondes (1941)

Hotel Manager Ambrose Tripp

The Flame of New Orleans (1941)

Oyster Bed Cafe Waiter (Uncredited)

San Antonio Rose (1941)

Benny The Bounce

Road Show (1941)

Moe Parker (Uncredited)

Murder Over New York (1940)

Shorty Mccoy Alias Rashid The Fakir

Another Thin Man (1939)

Wacky (Uncredited)

Here's Howe (1936)

Knobby Walsh

Absorbing Junior (1936)

Henry, The Husband

Smoked Hams (1934)

Henry Howard

Art Trouble (1934)

Short Painter

Rambling 'Round Radio Row #9 (1934)

Songwriters' Representative

I Scream (1934)

Moran's Henchman

Corn on the Cop (1934)

Reginald / Reggie

Pure Feud (1934)

Clem Mccarthy

Henry the Ache (1934)

Artie - One Of King Henry's Lackeys

Close Relations (1933)

One Of The Moles

Salt Water Daffy (1933)

Wilbur The Kleptomaniac

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Same surname: Howard