Shemp Howard
Acting
Biography
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.
Born: March 11, 1895
Place of Birth: Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA
Known For
Filmography
as Shemp
as Self (archive footage)
as Shemp (archive footage)
as Shemp
as Self / Shemp (archive footage)
as Himself
as Shemp (archive footage)
as Shemp (archive footage) (uncredited)
as Shemp (archive footage)
as Shemp (archive footage)
as Shemp (archive footage)
as Shemp (archive footage)
as Shemp
as Shemp
as Shemp / Shemp's son
as Prof. Shemp Howard
as Shemp
as Various Days
as Shemp
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as Shemp
as Shemp / Shemp Howard Sr.
as Shemp
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as Self
as Shemp
as Shemp / Shempetta
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as Gunner
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as Jim Gray
as Shemp
as Monk
as Marvin Lewis
as Woodcock 'Woody' J. Strinker
as Noisy
as Marty
as Rameses - Prizefighter
as Shemp Howard
as Shemp Howard
as Woodcock Q. Strinker
as Shemp
as Woodcock Q. Strinker
as Laundry Truck Driver
as Punchy Carter
as Elmer Peabody
as Shemp Howard
as Mumbo
as Umbrella Sam
as Binky
as Alf
as Sinbad
as Shorty (The Tailor)
as Pops
as Sgt. 'Muggsy' Shavel
as Milton Davis - Brooklyn Cab Driver
as Det. Sgt. Sweeney
as 'Squinty' Sweeny
as Louie
as Soda Jerk
as Oyster Bed Cafe Waiter (uncredited)
as Eddie / Ivan
as Dingbat
as Benny the Bounce
as Okay
as Dizzy
as 'Abdullah'
as Moe Parker (uncredited)
as Chef
as Gabby
as Frankie
as Buzz Berger
as Shorty McCoy alias Rashid the Fakir
as Joe Guelpe
as Sailor McNeill
as Pat Patrick
as Professor
as Gus
as Joe - a Pickpocket
as Shemp
as Pat Patrick
as Wacky (uncredited)
as Happy
as Windy Wylie
as Oscar Bush
as Knobby Walsh
as Knobby Walsh
as Knobby Walsh
as Knobby Walsh
as Knobby Walsh
as Knobby Walsh
as Henry, the Husband
as Knobby Walsh
as Henry
as Gus Doakes
as Dan Higgins
as Henry
as Johnny Spivens
as Henry
as Smokey Moe
as Butler
as Lefty Howard
as Henry
as Henry Howard
as Butch
as Kenneth
as Short Painter
as Songwriters' Representative
as Moran's Henchman
as Reginald / Reggie
as Clem McCarthy
as Sourdough
as Shemp Howard
as Dopey Traynor
as Shemp Howard
as Thorndike
as Piano Mover
as Artie - One of King Henry's Lackeys
as Sailor
as Ezry
as Bugs
as Club patron
as Attendant
as One of the Moles
as Wilbur the Kleptomaniac
as Fireman