Shemp Howard

Personal Info

Known For

Acting

Known Credits

200

Gender

Male

Birthday

1895-03-11

Day of death

1955-11-22 (60 years old)

Place of Birth

Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Shemp Howard

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.

Known For

  • The Colgate Comedy Hour

    The Colgate Comedy Hour

  • Another Thin Man

    Another Thin Man

  • Murder Over New York

    Murder Over New York

  • Dizzy & Daffy

    Dizzy & Daffy

  • Crime on Their Hands

    Crime on Their Hands

  • Dangerous Business

    Dangerous Business

  • The Three Stooges: Kings Of Laughter

    The Three Stooges: Kings Of Laughter

  • Private Buckaroo

    Private Buckaroo

  • The Flame of New Orleans

    The Flame of New Orleans

  • Absorbing Junior

    Absorbing Junior

  • Africa Screams

    Africa Screams

  • Convention Girl

    Convention Girl

  • The Wrong, Wrong Trail

    The Wrong, Wrong Trail

  • Off Again, On Again

    Off Again, On Again

  • Triple Crossed

    Triple Crossed

  • Art Trouble

    Art Trouble

  • Crazy Knights

    Crazy Knights

  • Road Show

    Road Show

  • Corny Casanovas

    Corny Casanovas

  • Glove Slingers

    Glove Slingers

  • Hot Ice

    Hot Ice

  • Arabian Nights

    Arabian Nights

  • The Three Stooges Story

    The Three Stooges Story

  • Fuelin' Around

    Fuelin' Around

  • Hellzapoppin'

    Hellzapoppin'

  • Mississippi Gambler

    Mississippi Gambler

  • Mr. Noisy

    Mr. Noisy

  • Scrambled Brains

    Scrambled Brains

  • Blunder Boys

    Blunder Boys

  • All Gummed Up

    All Gummed Up

  • Pure Feud

    Pure Feud

  • The Choke's on You

    The Choke's on You

  • Money Squawks

    Money Squawks

  • Mr. Dynamite

    Mr. Dynamite

  • Shivering Sherlocks

    Shivering Sherlocks

  • Buck Privates

    Buck Privates

  • Scheming Schemers

    Scheming Schemers

  • The Three Stooges Greatest Hits!

    The Three Stooges Greatest Hits!

  • Listen Judge

    Listen Judge

  • Close Relations

    Close Relations

  • Three Stooges 75th Anniversary Special

    Three Stooges 75th Anniversary Special

  • While the Cat's Away

    While the Cat's Away

  • Pittsburgh

    Pittsburgh

  • Millionaires in Prison

    Millionaires in Prison

  • The Invisible Woman

    The Invisible Woman

  • Cracked Nuts

    Cracked Nuts

  • Flagpole Jitters

    Flagpole Jitters

  • Three Hams on Rye

    Three Hams on Rye

  • Keep 'Em Slugging

    Keep 'Em Slugging

  • Hot Stuff

    Hot Stuff

  • Tricky Dicks

    Tricky Dicks

  • Crazy House

    Crazy House

  • Out West

    Out West

  • Fiddlers Three

    Fiddlers Three

  • Husbands Beware

    Husbands Beware

  • A Peach of a Pair

    A Peach of a Pair

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

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

  • Loose Loot

    Loose Loot

  • Hit the Road

    Hit the Road

  • Soup to Nuts

    Soup to Nuts

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

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

  • Hokus Pokus

    Hokus Pokus

  • Hold That Ghost

    Hold That Ghost

  • Up in Daisy's Penthouse

    Up in Daisy's Penthouse

  • Shot in the Frontier

    Shot in the Frontier

  • Kick Me Again

    Kick Me Again

  • The Lone Wolf Meets a Lady

    The Lone Wolf Meets a Lady

  • Serves You Right

    Serves You Right

  • For the Love of Pete

    For the Love of Pete

  • Three of a Kind

    Three of a Kind

  • Strictly in the Groove

    Strictly in the Groove

  • The Three Stooges: Live and Hilarious

    The Three Stooges: Live and Hilarious

  • Musty Musketeers

    Musty Musketeers

  • Bubble Trouble

    Bubble Trouble

  • Hollywood Round-Up

    Hollywood Round-Up

  • Hold That Lion!

    Hold That Lion!

  • Jiggers, My Wife

    Jiggers, My Wife

  • The Strange Case of Doctor Rx

    The Strange Case of Doctor Rx

  • Creeps

    Creeps

  • Taking the Count

    Taking the Count

  • Meet the Chump

    Meet the Chump

  • One Exciting Week

    One Exciting Week

  • Here's Howe

    Here's Howe

  • Sing a Song of Six Pants

    Sing a Song of Six Pants

  • Knutzy Knights

    Knutzy Knights

  • Pest Man Wins

    Pest Man Wins

  • Spooks!

    Spooks!

  • The Bank Dick

    The Bank Dick

  • His First Flame

    His First Flame

  • My Mummy's Arms

    My Mummy's Arms

  • Bedlam in Paradise

    Bedlam in Paradise

  • Punch and Beauty

    Punch and Beauty

  • The Blonde Bomber

    The Blonde Bomber

  • Slaphappy Sleuths

    Slaphappy Sleuths

  • The Leather Pushers

    The Leather Pushers

  • Malice in the Palace

    Malice in the Palace

  • Corn on the Cop

    Corn on the Cop

  • Mummy's Dummies

    Mummy's Dummies

  • Give Us Wings

    Give Us Wings

  • The Three Stooges: Hey Moe! Hey Dad!

    The Three Stooges: Hey Moe! Hey Dad!

  • Too Many Blondes

    Too Many Blondes

  • Howd' Ya Like That?

    Howd' Ya Like That?

  • Columbia Laff Hour

    Columbia Laff Hour

  • Henry the Ache

    Henry the Ache

  • Who Done It?

    Who Done It?

  • Three Dark Horses

    Three Dark Horses

  • Salt Water Daffy

    Salt Water Daffy

  • On the Wagon

    On the Wagon

  • It Ain't Hay

    It Ain't Hay

  • In the Navy

    In the Navy

  • Society Mugs

    Society Mugs

  • Merry Mavericks

    Merry Mavericks

  • Fling in the Ring

    Fling in the Ring

  • Blondie Knows Best

    Blondie Knows Best

  • I Scream

    I Scream

  • Headin' East

    Headin' East

  • Here Comes Flossie!

    Here Comes Flossie!

  • Squareheads of the Round Table

    Squareheads of the Round Table

  • For Crimin' Out Loud

    For Crimin' Out Loud

  • Love at First Bite

    Love at First Bite

  • Butch Minds the Baby

    Butch Minds the Baby

  • Trouble Chasers

    Trouble Chasers

  • The Ghost Talks

    The Ghost Talks

  • Gypped in the Penthouse

    Gypped in the Penthouse

  • I'm a Monkey's Uncle

    I'm a Monkey's Uncle

  • Strange Affair

    Strange Affair

  • Rumpus in the Harem

    Rumpus in the Harem

  • The Three Stooges in 3D

    The Three Stooges in 3D

  • Three Arabian Nuts

    Three Arabian Nuts

  • Pardon My Clutch

    Pardon My Clutch

  • Stone Age Romeos

    Stone Age Romeos

  • The Hot Scots

    The Hot Scots

  • Scotched in Scotland

    Scotched in Scotland

  • The Tooth Will Out

    The Tooth Will Out

  • A Snitch in Time

    A Snitch in Time

  • Cuckoo on a Choo Choo

    Cuckoo on a Choo Choo

  • A Missed Fortune

    A Missed Fortune

  • Rip, Sew and Stitch

    Rip, Sew and Stitch

  • Bride and Gloom

    Bride and Gloom

  • Pardon My Backfire

    Pardon My Backfire

  • Three Stooges Comedy Collection

    Three Stooges Comedy Collection

  • Fright Night

    Fright Night

  • The Gentleman Misbehaves

    The Gentleman Misbehaves

  • Paul Revere, Jr.

    Paul Revere, Jr.

  • Of Cash and Hash

    Of Cash and Hash

  • Hugs and Mugs

    Hugs and Mugs

  • The Three Stooges - Simply Hilarious

    The Three Stooges - Simply Hilarious

  • Income Tax Sappy

    Income Tax Sappy

  • Home on the Rage

    Home on the Rage

  • Open Season for Saps

    Open Season for Saps

  • Studio Stoops

    Studio Stoops

  • Punchy Cowpunchers

    Punchy Cowpunchers

  • Gold Raiders

    Gold Raiders

  • Gents in a Jam

    Gents in a Jam

  • Goof on the Roof

    Goof on the Roof

  • Daredevil O'Dare

    Daredevil O'Dare

  • The Three Stooges: Five of Their Greatest Shorts

    The Three Stooges: Five of Their Greatest Shorts

  • Wham-Bam-Slam!

    Wham-Bam-Slam!

  • Boobs in the Woods

    Boobs in the Woods

  • Pugs and Kisses

    Pugs and Kisses

  • He Cooked His Goose

    He Cooked His Goose

  • In the Dough

    In the Dough

  • The Lost Stooges

    The Lost Stooges

  • Tight Shoes

    Tight Shoes

  • Commotion on the Ocean

    Commotion on the Ocean

  • Smoked Hams

    Smoked Hams

  • Six Lessons From Madame La Zonga

    Six Lessons From Madame La Zonga

  • Moonlight and Cactus

    Moonlight and Cactus

  • Brideless Groom

    Brideless Groom

  • Not Guilty Enough

    Not Guilty Enough

  • Everybody Likes Music

    Everybody Likes Music

  • Jerks of All Trades

    Jerks of All Trades

  • Booty and the Beast

    Booty and the Beast

  • Dunked in the Deep

    Dunked in the Deep

  • Gobs of Fun

    Gobs of Fun

  • Three Stooges: Greatest Routines

    Three Stooges: Greatest Routines

  • Shemp Cocktail: A Toast to the Original Stooge

    Shemp Cocktail: A Toast to the Original Stooge

  • Vagabond Loafers

    Vagabond Loafers

  • A Hit with a Miss

    A Hit with a Miss

  • Dopey Dicks

    Dopey Dicks

  • Self Made Maids

    Self Made Maids

  • Pals and Gals

    Pals and Gals

  • Classic Comedy Teams

    Classic Comedy Teams

  • San Antonio Rose

    San Antonio Rose

  • Mushrooms

    Mushrooms

  • The Knife of the Party

    The Knife of the Party

  • Heavenly Daze

    Heavenly Daze

  • Where the Pest Begins

    Where the Pest Begins

  • Don't Throw That Knife

    Don't Throw That Knife

  • Hula-La-La

    Hula-La-La

  • So You Won't T-T-T-Talk

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

  • The Officer's Mess

    The Officer's Mess

  • Pleased to Mitt You

    Pleased to Mitt You

  • Baby Sitters Jitters

    Baby Sitters Jitters

  • How's About It

    How's About It

  • Rambling 'Round Radio Row #9

    Rambling 'Round Radio Row #9

  • Pick a Peck of Plumbers

    Pick a Peck of Plumbers

  • Why Pay Rent?

    Why Pay Rent?

  • Very Close Veins

    Very Close Veins

  • Spring Fever

    Spring Fever