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.
Filmography
Three Stooges Comedy Collection
as (archive footage) (uncredited)
Three Stooges Comedy Collection
as (archive footage) (uncredited)
Stooge O-Rama: The Men Behind the Mayhem - And Even More Mayhem!
as (archive footage) (uncredited)
Stooge O-Rama: The Men Behind the Mayhem - And Even More Mayhem!
as (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Three Stooges in 3D
as Shemp (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Three Stooges in 3D
as Shemp (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Three Stooges: Five of Their Greatest Shorts
as (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Three Stooges: Five of Their Greatest Shorts
as (archive footage) (uncredited)
Shemp Cocktail: A Toast to the Original Stooge
as Self (archive footage)
Shemp Cocktail: A Toast to the Original Stooge
as Self (archive footage)
Three Stooges 75th Anniversary Special
as Shemp (archive footage)
Three Stooges 75th Anniversary Special
as Shemp (archive footage)
The Three Stooges Story
as Shemp (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Three Stooges Story
as Shemp (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Three Stooges: Kings Of Laughter
as Shemp (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Three Stooges: Kings Of Laughter
as Shemp (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Three Stooges - Simply Hilarious
as Shemp (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Three Stooges - Simply Hilarious
as Shemp (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Three Stooges Greatest Hits!
as Self / Shemp (archive footage)
The Three Stooges Greatest Hits!
as Self / Shemp (archive footage)
The Lost Stooges
as (archive footage)
The Lost Stooges
as (archive footage)
Classic Comedy Teams
as Shemp (archive footage)
Classic Comedy Teams
as Shemp (archive footage)
Three Stooges: Greatest Routines
as Shemp
Three Stooges: Greatest Routines
as Shemp
Triple Crossed
as Shemp (archive footage) (uncredited)
Triple Crossed
as Shemp (archive footage) (uncredited)
Commotion on the Ocean
as Shemp (archive footage)
Commotion on the Ocean
as Shemp (archive footage)
Scheming Schemers
as Shemp (archive footage)
Scheming Schemers
as Shemp (archive footage)
Hot Stuff
as Shemp (archive footage)
Hot Stuff
as Shemp (archive footage)
Rumpus in the Harem
as Shemp (archive footage)
Rumpus in the Harem
as Shemp (archive footage)
For Crimin' Out Loud
as Shemp
For Crimin' Out Loud
as Shemp
Flagpole Jitters
as Shemp
Flagpole Jitters
as Shemp
Creeps
as Shemp / Shemp's son
Creeps
as Shemp / Shemp's son
Husbands Beware
as Prof. Shemp Howard
Husbands Beware
as Prof. Shemp Howard
Columbia Laff Hour
as Shemp
Columbia Laff Hour
as Shemp
Blunder Boys
as Various Days
Blunder Boys
as Various Days
Hot Ice
as Shemp
Hot Ice
as Shemp
Wham-Bam-Slam!
as Shemp
Wham-Bam-Slam!
as Shemp
Stone Age Romeos
as Shemp
Stone Age Romeos
as Shemp
Gypped in the Penthouse
as Shemp
Gypped in the Penthouse
as Shemp
Bedlam in Paradise
as Shemp
Bedlam in Paradise
as Shemp
Of Cash and Hash
as Shemp
Of Cash and Hash
as Shemp
Fling in the Ring
as Shemp
Fling in the Ring
as Shemp
Scotched in Scotland
as Shemp
Scotched in Scotland
as Shemp
Shot in the Frontier
as Shemp
Shot in the Frontier
as Shemp
Knutzy Knights
as Shemp
Knutzy Knights
as Shemp
Pals and Gals
as Shemp
Pals and Gals
as Shemp
Musty Musketeers
as Shemp
Musty Musketeers
as Shemp
Income Tax Sappy
as Shemp
Income Tax Sappy
as Shemp
Goof on the Roof
as Shemp
Goof on the Roof
as Shemp
Bubble Trouble
as Shemp
Bubble Trouble
as Shemp
Rip, Sew and Stitch
as Shemp
Rip, Sew and Stitch
as Shemp
Pardon My Backfire
as Shemp
Pardon My Backfire
as Shemp
Spooks!
as Shemp
Spooks!
as Shemp
Tricky Dicks
as Shemp
Tricky Dicks
as Shemp
Loose Loot
as Shemp
Loose Loot
as Shemp
Booty and the Beast
as Shemp
Booty and the Beast
as Shemp
Up in Daisy's Penthouse
as Shemp / Shemp Howard Sr.
Up in Daisy's Penthouse
as Shemp / Shemp Howard Sr.
Cuckoo on a Choo Choo
as Shemp
Cuckoo on a Choo Choo
as Shemp
Three Dark Horses
as Shemp
Three Dark Horses
as Shemp
Gents in a Jam
as Shemp
Gents in a Jam
as Shemp
He Cooked His Goose
as Shemp
He Cooked His Goose
as Shemp
Listen Judge
as Shemp
Listen Judge
as Shemp
Corny Casanovas
as Shemp
Corny Casanovas
as Shemp
A Missed Fortune
as Shemp
A Missed Fortune
as Shemp
Pest Man Wins
as Shemp
Pest Man Wins
as Shemp
Hula-La-La
as Shemp
Hula-La-La
as Shemp
The Tooth Will Out
as Shemp
The Tooth Will Out
as Shemp
Gold Raiders
as Shemp
Gold Raiders
as Shemp
Merry Mavericks
as Shemp
Merry Mavericks
as Shemp
Scrambled Brains
as Shemp
Scrambled Brains
as Shemp
Don't Throw That Knife
as Shemp
Don't Throw That Knife
as Shemp
Baby Sitters Jitters
as Shemp
Baby Sitters Jitters
as Shemp
Three Arabian Nuts
as Shemp
Three Arabian Nuts
as Shemp
A Snitch in Time
as Shemp
A Snitch in Time
as Shemp
Slaphappy Sleuths
as Shemp
Slaphappy Sleuths
as Shemp
Studio Stoops
as Shemp
Studio Stoops
as Shemp
Three Hams on Rye
as Shemp
Three Hams on Rye
as Shemp
Self Made Maids
as Shemp / Shempetta
Self Made Maids
as Shemp / Shempetta
Love at First Bite
as Shemp
Love at First Bite
as Shemp
Dopey Dicks
as Shemp
Dopey Dicks
as Shemp
Hugs and Mugs
as Shemp
Hugs and Mugs
as Shemp
Punchy Cowpunchers
as Shemp
Punchy Cowpunchers
as Shemp
Jerks of All Trades
as Shemp
Jerks of All Trades
as Shemp
Dunked in the Deep
as Shemp
Dunked in the Deep
as Shemp
Vagabond Loafers
as Shemp
Vagabond Loafers
as Shemp
Malice in the Palace
as Shemp
Malice in the Palace
as Shemp
Hokus Pokus
as Shemp
Hokus Pokus
as Shemp
Africa Screams
as Gunner
Africa Screams
as Gunner
Fuelin' Around
as Shemp
Fuelin' Around
as Shemp
Who Done It?
as Shemp
Who Done It?
as Shemp
The Ghost Talks
as Shemp
The Ghost Talks
as Shemp
Crime on Their Hands
as Shemp
Crime on Their Hands
as Shemp
Mummy's Dummies
as Shemp
Mummy's Dummies
as Shemp
I'm a Monkey's Uncle
as Shemp
I'm a Monkey's Uncle
as Shemp
Heavenly Daze
as Shemp
Heavenly Daze
as Shemp
The Hot Scots
as Shemp
The Hot Scots
as Shemp
Fiddlers Three
as Shemp
Fiddlers Three
as Shemp
Squareheads of the Round Table
as Shemp
Squareheads of the Round Table
as Shemp
Pardon My Clutch
as Shemp
Pardon My Clutch
as Shemp
Shivering Sherlocks
as Shemp
Shivering Sherlocks
as Shemp
All Gummed Up
as Shemp
All Gummed Up
as Shemp
Sing a Song of Six Pants
as Shemp
Sing a Song of Six Pants
as Shemp
Brideless Groom
as Shemp
Brideless Groom
as Shemp
Hold That Lion!
as Shemp
Hold That Lion!
as Shemp
Bride and Gloom
as Shemp
Bride and Gloom
as Shemp
Fright Night
as Shemp
Fright Night
as Shemp
Blondie Knows Best
as Jim Gray
Blondie Knows Best
as Jim Gray
Dangerous Business
as Monk
Dangerous Business
as Monk
One Exciting Week
as Marvin Lewis
One Exciting Week
as Marvin Lewis
Jiggers, My Wife
as Woodcock 'Woody' J. Strinker
Jiggers, My Wife
as Woodcock 'Woody' J. Strinker
Mr. Noisy
as Noisy
Mr. Noisy
as Noisy
The Gentleman Misbehaves
as Marty
The Gentleman Misbehaves
as Marty
A Hit with a Miss
as Rameses - Prizefighter
A Hit with a Miss
as Rameses - Prizefighter
Trouble Chasers
as Shemp Howard
Trouble Chasers
as Shemp Howard
Off Again, On Again
as Woodcock Q. Strinker
Off Again, On Again
as Woodcock Q. Strinker
Crazy Knights
as Shemp
Crazy Knights
as Shemp
Open Season for Saps
as Woodcock Q. Strinker
Open Season for Saps
as Woodcock Q. Strinker
Three of a Kind
as Shemp Howard
Three of a Kind
as Shemp Howard
Crazy House
as Mumbo
Crazy House
as Mumbo
Keep 'Em Slugging
as Binky
Keep 'Em Slugging
as Binky
It Ain't Hay
as Umbrella Sam
It Ain't Hay
as Umbrella Sam
How's About It
as Alf
How's About It
as Alf
Arabian Nights
as Sinbad
Arabian Nights
as Sinbad
Pittsburgh
as Shorty (The Tailor)
Pittsburgh
as Shorty (The Tailor)
Strictly in the Groove
as Pops
Strictly in the Groove
as Pops
Private Buckaroo
as Sgt. 'Muggsy' Shavel
Private Buckaroo
as Sgt. 'Muggsy' Shavel
Mississippi Gambler
as Milton Davis - Brooklyn Cab Driver
Mississippi Gambler
as Milton Davis - Brooklyn Cab Driver
The Strange Case of Doctor Rx
as Det. Sgt. Sweeney
The Strange Case of Doctor Rx
as Det. Sgt. Sweeney
Butch Minds the Baby
as 'Squinty' Sweeny
Butch Minds the Baby
as 'Squinty' Sweeny
Hellzapoppin'
as Louie
Hellzapoppin'
as Louie
The Three Stooges: Live and Hilarious
as Shemp
The Three Stooges: Live and Hilarious
as Shemp
Too Many Blondes
as Hotel Manager Ambrose Tripp
Too Many Blondes
as Hotel Manager Ambrose Tripp
The Flame of New Orleans
as Oyster Bed Cafe Waiter (uncredited)
The Flame of New Orleans
as Oyster Bed Cafe Waiter (uncredited)
Hit the Road
as Dingbat
Hit the Road
as Dingbat
San Antonio Rose
as Benny the Bounce
San Antonio Rose
as Benny the Bounce
Road Show
as Moe Parker (uncredited)
Road Show
as Moe Parker (uncredited)
Meet the Chump
as Stinky Fink
Meet the Chump
as Stinky Fink
Buck Privates
as Chef
Buck Privates
as Chef
Give Us Wings
as Buzz Berger
Give Us Wings
as Buzz Berger
Murder Over New York
as Shorty McCoy alias Rashid the Fakir
Murder Over New York
as Shorty McCoy alias Rashid the Fakir
Millionaires in Prison
as Professor
Millionaires in Prison
as Professor
Boobs in the Woods
as Gus
Boobs in the Woods
as Gus
The Lone Wolf Meets a Lady
as Joe - a Pickpocket
The Lone Wolf Meets a Lady
as Joe - a Pickpocket
Money Squawks
as Shemp
Money Squawks
as Shemp
Home on the Rage
as Happy
Home on the Rage
as Happy
Not Guilty Enough
as Brother-in-Law
Not Guilty Enough
as Brother-in-Law
Absorbing Junior
as Henry, the Husband
Absorbing Junior
as Henry, the Husband
While the Cat's Away
as Henry
While the Cat's Away
as Henry
On the Wagon
as Henry
On the Wagon
as Henry
A Peach of a Pair
as Butler
A Peach of a Pair
as Butler
Daredevil O'Dare
as Butch
Daredevil O'Dare
as Butch
I Scream
as Moran's Henchman
I Scream
as Moran's Henchman
Pure Feud
as Clem McCarthy
Pure Feud
as Clem McCarthy
Very Close Veins
as Sourdough
Very Close Veins
as Sourdough
Pugs and Kisses
as Dopey Traynor
Pugs and Kisses
as Dopey Traynor
The Wrong, Wrong Trail
as Piano Mover
The Wrong, Wrong Trail
as Piano Mover
Paul Revere, Jr.
as Attendant
Paul Revere, Jr.
as Attendant