Shemp Howard
Personal Info
Known for
Acting
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
Acting
(2024)
(2023)
(2012)
The Three Stooges in 3D
as Shemp
(2009)
(2008)
Shemp Cocktail: A Toast to the Original Stooge
as Self (archive footage)
(2003)
Three Stooges 75th Anniversary Special
as Shemp (archive footage)
(2001)
The Three Stooges Story
as Shemp
(2001)
(2000)
(1997)
The Three Stooges Greatest Hits!
as Self / Shemp (archive footage)
(1990)
The Lost Stooges
as Himself
(1986)
Classic Comedy Teams
as Shemp (archive footage)
(1964)
Three Stooges: Greatest Routines
as Shemp
(1959)
Triple Crossed
as Shemp (archive footage) (uncredited)
(1956)
Scheming Schemers
as Shemp (archive footage)
(1956)
Flagpole Jitters
as Shemp
(1956)
Commotion on the Ocean
as Shemp (archive footage)
(1956)
For Crimin' Out Loud
as Shemp
(1956)
Husbands Beware
as Prof. Shemp Howard
(1956)
Columbia Laff Hour
as Shemp
(1956)
Hot Stuff
as Shemp (archive footage)
(1956)
Creeps
as Shemp / Shemp's son
(1956)
Rumpus in the Harem
as Shemp (archive footage)
(1955)
Bedlam in Paradise
as Shemp
(1955)
Blunder Boys
as Various Days
(1955)
Wham-Bam-Slam!
as Shemp
(1955)
Of Cash and Hash
as Shemp
(1955)
Gypped in the Penthouse
as Shemp
(1955)
Hot Ice
as Shemp
(1955)
Fling in the Ring
as Shemp
(1955)
Stone Age Romeos
as Shemp
(1954)
Shot in the Frontier
as Shemp
(1954)
Musty Musketeers
as Shemp
(1954)
Knutzy Knights
as Shemp
(1954)
Income Tax Sappy
as Shemp
(1954)
Pals and Gals
as Shemp
(1954)
Scotched in Scotland
as Shemp
(1953)
Up in Daisy's Penthouse
as Shemp / Shemp Howard Sr.
(1953)
Loose Loot
as Shemp
(1953)
Tricky Dicks
as Shemp
(1953)
Bubble Trouble
as Shemp
(1953)
Booty and the Beast
as Shemp
(1953)
Rip, Sew and Stitch
as Shemp
(1953)
Spooks!
as Shemp
(1953)
Goof on the Roof
as Shemp
(1953)
Pardon My Backfire
as Shemp
(1952)
Three Dark Horses
as Shemp
(1952)
Corny Casanovas
as Shemp
(1952)
He Cooked His Goose
as Shemp
(1952)
Listen Judge
as Shemp
(1952)
Cuckoo on a Choo Choo
as Shemp
(1952)
Gents in a Jam
as Shemp
(1952)
A Missed Fortune
as Shemp
(1951)
Pest Man Wins
as Shemp
(1951)
Hula-La-La
as Shemp
(1951)
Scrambled Brains
as Shemp
(1951)
Merry Mavericks
as Shemp
(1951)
Gold Raiders
as Shemp
(1951)
The Tooth Will Out
as Shemp
(1951)
Three Arabian Nuts
as Shemp
(1951)
Don't Throw That Knife
as Shemp
(1951)
Baby Sitters Jitters
as Shemp
(1950)
Love at First Bite
as Shemp
(1950)
Three Hams on Rye
as Shemp
(1950)
A Snitch in Time
as Shemp
(1950)
Punchy Cowpunchers
as Shemp
(1950)
Slaphappy Sleuths
as Shemp
(1950)
Studio Stoops
as Shemp
(1950)
Hugs and Mugs
as Shemp
(1950)
Dopey Dicks
as Shemp
(1950)
Self Made Maids
as Shemp / Shempetta
(1949)
Hokus Pokus
as Shemp
(1949)
Who Done It?
as Shemp
(1949)
Vagabond Loafers
as Shemp
(1949)
Africa Screams
as Gunner
(1949)
Malice in the Palace
as Shemp
(1949)
Fuelin' Around
as Shemp
(1949)
The Ghost Talks
as Shemp
(1949)
Jerks of All Trades
as Shemp
(1949)
Dunked in the Deep
as Shemp
(1948)
Heavenly Daze
as Shemp
(1948)
Mummy's Dummies
as Shemp
(1948)
Pardon My Clutch
as Shemp
(1948)
Shivering Sherlocks
as Shemp
(1948)
Crime on Their Hands
as Shemp
(1948)
Fiddlers Three
as Shemp
(1948)
Squareheads of the Round Table
as Shemp
(1948)
The Hot Scots
as Shemp
(1948)
I'm a Monkey's Uncle
as Shemp
(1947)
Sing a Song of Six Pants
as Shemp
(1947)
Hold That Lion!
as Shemp
(1947)
All Gummed Up
as Shemp
(1947)
Out West
as Shemp
(1947)
Bride and Gloom
as Shemp
(1947)
(1947)
Brideless Groom
as Shemp
(1947)
Fright Night
as Shemp
(1946)
Dangerous Business
as Monk
(1946)
Mr. Noisy
as Noisy
(1946)
The Gentleman Misbehaves
as Marty
(1946)
One Exciting Week
as Marvin Lewis
(1946)
Jiggers, My Wife
as Woodcock 'Woody' J. Strinker
(1946)
Blondie Knows Best
as Jim Gray
(1946)
Society Mugs
as Shemp
(1945)
A Hit with a Miss
as Rameses - Prizefighter
(1945)
Trouble Chasers
as Shemp Howard
(1945)
Where the Pest Begins
as Shemp Howard
(1945)
Off Again, On Again
as Woodcock Q. Strinker
(1944)
Pick a Peck of Plumbers
as Elmer Peabody
(1944)
Strange Affair
as Laundry Truck Driver
(1944)
Crazy Knights
as Shemp
(1944)
Three of a Kind
as Shemp Howard
(1944)
Open Season for Saps
as Woodcock Q. Strinker
(1944)
Moonlight and Cactus
as Punchy Carter
(1943)
How's About It
as Alf
(1943)
Keep 'Em Slugging
as Binky
(1943)
Crazy House
as Mumbo
(1943)
It Ain't Hay
as Umbrella Sam
(1942)
The Strange Case of Doctor Rx
as Det. Sgt. Sweeney
(1942)
Mississippi Gambler
as Milton Davis - Brooklyn Cab Driver
(1942)
Arabian Nights
as Sinbad
(1942)
Strictly in the Groove
as Pops
(1942)
Private Buckaroo
as Sgt. 'Muggsy' Shavel
(1942)
Pittsburgh
as Shorty (The Tailor)
(1942)
Butch Minds the Baby
as 'Squinty' Sweeny
(1941)
In the Navy
as Dizzy
(1941)
Hold That Ghost
as Soda Jerk
(1941)
Hellzapoppin'
as Louie
(1941)
Buck Privates
as Chef
(1941)
Too Many Blondes
as Hotel Manager Ambrose Tripp
(1941)
Road Show
as Moe Parker (uncredited)
(1941)
San Antonio Rose
as Benny the Bounce
(1941)
Hit the Road
as Dingbat
(1941)
Mr. Dynamite
as 'Abdullah'
(1941)
The Flame of New Orleans
as Oyster Bed Cafe Waiter (uncredited)
(1941)
(1941)
Cracked Nuts
as Eddie / Ivan
(1941)
Tight Shoes
as Okay
(1941)
Meet the Chump
as Stinky Fink
(1941)
Six Lessons From Madame La Zonga
as Gabby
(1940)
Millionaires in Prison
as Professor
(1940)
Pleased to Mitt You
as Pat Patrick
(1940)
Murder Over New York
as Shorty McCoy alias Rashid the Fakir
(1940)
The Leather Pushers
as Sailor McNeill
(1940)
Give Us Wings
as Buzz Berger
(1940)
Money Squawks
as Shemp
(1940)
The Invisible Woman
as Frankie
(1940)
The Bank Dick
as Joe Guelpe
(1940)
The Lone Wolf Meets a Lady
as Joe - a Pickpocket
(1940)
Boobs in the Woods
as Gus
(1939)
Glove Slingers
as Pat Patrick
(1939)
Another Thin Man
as Wacky (uncredited)
(1938)
Home on the Rage
as Happy
(1938)
Not Guilty Enough
as Brother-in-Law
(1937)
Hollywood Round-Up
as Oscar Bush
(1937)
Taking the Count
as Knobby Walsh
(1937)
Headin' East
as Windy Wylie
(1937)
Kick Me Again
as Knobby Walsh
(1936)
Absorbing Junior
as Henry, the Husband
(1936)
Here's Howe
as Knobby Walsh
(1936)
Punch and Beauty
as Knobby Walsh
(1936)
While the Cat's Away
as Henry
(1936)
The Choke's on You
as Knobby Walsh
(1936)
For the Love of Pete
as Knobby Walsh
(1936)
The Blonde Bomber
as Knobby Walsh
(1935)
Why Pay Rent?
as Henry
(1935)
His First Flame
as Smokey Moe
(1935)
On the Wagon
as Henry
(1935)
Serves You Right
as Johnny Spivens
(1935)
Convention Girl
as Dan Higgins
(1935)
The Officer's Mess
as Gus Doakes
(1934)
Art Trouble
as Short Painter
(1934)
A Peach of a Pair
as Butler
(1934)
Rambling 'Round Radio Row #9
as Songwriters' Representative
(1934)
My Mummy's Arms
as Kenneth
(1934)
Corn on the Cop
as Reginald / Reggie
(1934)
The Wrong, Wrong Trail
as Piano Mover
(1934)
Howd' Ya Like That?
as Sailor
(1934)
Dizzy & Daffy
as Lefty Howard
(1934)
Pure Feud
as Clem McCarthy
(1934)
Smoked Hams
as Henry Howard
(1934)
Pugs and Kisses
as Dopey Traynor
(1934)
The Knife of the Party
as Shemp Howard
(1934)
So You Won't T-T-T-Talk
as Henry
(1934)
I Scream
as Moran's Henchman
(1934)
Everybody Likes Music
as Shemp Howard
(1934)
Henry the Ache
as Artie - One of King Henry's Lackeys
(1934)
Mushrooms
as Thorndike
(1934)
Very Close Veins
as Sourdough
(1934)
Daredevil O'Dare
as Butch
(1933)
Salt Water Daffy
as Wilbur the Kleptomaniac
(1933)
Close Relations
as One of the Moles
(1933)
Here Comes Flossie!
as Ezry
(1933)
Paul Revere, Jr.
as Attendant
(1933)
In the Dough
as Bugs
(1933)
Gobs of Fun
as Club patron
(1930)
Soup to Nuts
as Fireman
(1919)