Shemp Howard
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- Mar 11, 1895
- Died
- Nov 22, 1955 (aged 60)
- Place of birth
- Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA
- Credits
- 202
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
Filmography
Three Stooges Comedy Collection
2024Movie
(archive footage) (uncredited)
Stooge O-Rama: The Men Behind the Mayhem - And Even More Mayhem!
2023Movie
(archive footage) (uncredited)
The Three Stooges: Hey Moe! Hey Dad!
2015TV
Shemp (archive footage)
The Three Stooges in 3D
2012Movie
Shemp (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Three Stooges: Five of Their Greatest Shorts
2009Movie
(archive footage) (uncredited)
Shemp Cocktail: A Toast to the Original Stooge
2008Movie
Self (archive footage)
Three Stooges 75th Anniversary Special
2003Movie
Shemp (archive footage)
The Three Stooges Story
2001Movie
Shemp (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Three Stooges: Kings Of Laughter
2001Movie
Shemp (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Three Stooges - Simply Hilarious
2000Movie
Shemp (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Three Stooges Greatest Hits!
1997Movie
Self / Shemp (archive footage)
The Lost Stooges
1990Movie
(archive footage)
Classic Comedy Teams
1986Movie
Shemp (archive footage)
Three Stooges: Greatest Routines
1964Movie
Shemp
Triple Crossed
1959Movie
Shemp (archive footage) (uncredited)
Commotion on the Ocean
1956Movie
Shemp (archive footage)
Scheming Schemers
1956Movie
Shemp (archive footage)
Hot Stuff
1956Movie
Shemp (archive footage)
Rumpus in the Harem
1956Movie
Shemp (archive footage)
For Crimin' Out Loud
1956Movie
Shemp
Flagpole Jitters
1956Movie
Shemp
Creeps
1956Movie
Shemp / Shemp's son
Husbands Beware
1956Movie
Prof. Shemp Howard
Columbia Laff Hour
1956Movie
Shemp
Blunder Boys
1955Movie
Various Days
Hot Ice
1955Movie
Shemp
Wham-Bam-Slam!
1955Movie
Shemp
Stone Age Romeos
1955Movie
Shemp
Gypped in the Penthouse
1955Movie
Shemp
Bedlam in Paradise
1955Movie
Shemp
Of Cash and Hash
1955Movie
Shemp
Fling in the Ring
1955Movie
Shemp
Scotched in Scotland
1954Movie
Shemp
Shot in the Frontier
1954Movie
Shemp
Knutzy Knights
1954Movie
Shemp
Pals and Gals
1954Movie
Shemp
Musty Musketeers
1954Movie
Shemp
Income Tax Sappy
1954Movie
Shemp
Goof on the Roof
1953Movie
Shemp
Bubble Trouble
1953Movie
Shemp
Rip, Sew and Stitch
1953Movie
Shemp
Pardon My Backfire
1953Movie
Shemp
Spooks!
1953Movie
Shemp
Tricky Dicks
1953Movie
Shemp
Loose Loot
1953Movie
Shemp
Booty and the Beast
1953Movie
Shemp
Up in Daisy's Penthouse
1953Movie
Shemp / Shemp Howard Sr.
Cuckoo on a Choo Choo
1952Movie
Shemp
Three Dark Horses
1952Movie
Shemp
Gents in a Jam
1952Movie
Shemp
He Cooked His Goose
1952Movie
Shemp
Listen Judge
1952Movie
Shemp
Corny Casanovas
1952Movie
Shemp
A Missed Fortune
1952Movie
Shemp
Pest Man Wins
1951Movie
Shemp
Hula-La-La
1951Movie
Shemp
The Tooth Will Out
1951Movie
Shemp
Gold Raiders
1951Movie
Shemp
Merry Mavericks
1951Movie
Shemp
Scrambled Brains
1951Movie
Shemp
Don't Throw That Knife
1951Movie
Shemp
Baby Sitters Jitters
1951Movie
Shemp
Three Arabian Nuts
1951Movie
Shemp
A Snitch in Time
1950Movie
Shemp
Slaphappy Sleuths
1950Movie
Shemp
Studio Stoops
1950Movie
Shemp
The Colgate Comedy Hour
1950TV
Self
Three Hams on Rye
1950Movie
Shemp
Self Made Maids
1950Movie
Shemp / Shempetta
Love at First Bite
1950Movie
Shemp
Dopey Dicks
1950Movie
Shemp
Hugs and Mugs
1950Movie
Shemp
Punchy Cowpunchers
1950Movie
Shemp
Jerks of All Trades
1949Movie
Shemp
Dunked in the Deep
1949Movie
Shemp
Vagabond Loafers
1949Movie
Shemp
Malice in the Palace
1949Movie
Shemp
Hokus Pokus
1949Movie
Shemp
Africa Screams
1949Movie
Gunner
Fuelin' Around
1949Movie
Shemp
Who Done It?
1949Movie
Shemp
The Ghost Talks
1949Movie
Shemp
Crime on Their Hands
1948Movie
Shemp
Mummy's Dummies
1948Movie
Shemp
I'm a Monkey's Uncle
1948Movie
Shemp
Heavenly Daze
1948Movie
Shemp
The Hot Scots
1948Movie
Shemp
Fiddlers Three
1948Movie
Shemp
Squareheads of the Round Table
1948Movie
Shemp
Pardon My Clutch
1948Movie
Shemp
Shivering Sherlocks
1948Movie
Shemp
All Gummed Up
1947Movie
Shemp
Sing a Song of Six Pants
1947Movie
Shemp
Brideless Groom
1947Movie
Shemp
Hold That Lion!
1947Movie
Shemp
Out West
1947Movie
Shemp
Bride and Gloom
1947Movie
Shemp
Fright Night
1947Movie
Shemp
The Three Stooges 75th Anniversary Edition: Tales from the Three Stooges Vol. 1
1947Movie
Himself
Blondie Knows Best
1946Movie
Jim Gray
Society Mugs
1946Movie
Shemp
Dangerous Business
1946Movie
Monk
One Exciting Week
1946Movie
Marvin Lewis
Jiggers, My Wife
1946Movie
Woodcock 'Woody' J. Strinker
Mr. Noisy
1946Movie
Noisy
The Gentleman Misbehaves
1946Movie
Marty
A Hit with a Miss
1945Movie
Rameses - Prizefighter
Where the Pest Begins
1945Movie
Shemp Howard
Trouble Chasers
1945Movie
Shemp Howard
Off Again, On Again
1945Movie
Woodcock Q. Strinker
Crazy Knights
1944Movie
Shemp
Open Season for Saps
1944Movie
Woodcock Q. Strinker
Strange Affair
1944Movie
Laundry Truck Driver
Moonlight and Cactus
1944Movie
Punchy Carter
Pick a Peck of Plumbers
1944Movie
Elmer Peabody
Three of a Kind
1944Movie
Shemp Howard
Crazy House
1943Movie
Mumbo
Keep 'Em Slugging
1943Movie
Binky
It Ain't Hay
1943Movie
Umbrella Sam
How's About It
1943Movie
Alf
Arabian Nights
1942Movie
Sinbad
Pittsburgh
1942Movie
Shorty (The Tailor)
Strictly in the Groove
1942Movie
Pops
Private Buckaroo
1942Movie
Sgt. 'Muggsy' Shavel
Mississippi Gambler
1942Movie
Milton Davis - Brooklyn Cab Driver
The Strange Case of Doctor Rx
1942Movie
Det. Sgt. Sweeney
Butch Minds the Baby
1942Movie
'Squinty' Sweeny
Hellzapoppin'
1941Movie
Louie
The Three Stooges: Live and Hilarious
1941Movie
Shemp
Hold That Ghost
1941Movie
Soda Jerk
Too Many Blondes
1941Movie
Hotel Manager Ambrose Tripp
The Flame of New Orleans
1941Movie
Oyster Bed Cafe Waiter (uncredited)
Cracked Nuts
1941Movie
Eddie / Ivan
Hit the Road
1941Movie
Dingbat
San Antonio Rose
1941Movie
Benny the Bounce
Tight Shoes
1941Movie
Okay
In the Navy
1941Movie
Dizzy
Mr. Dynamite
1941Movie
'Abdullah'
Road Show
1941Movie
Moe Parker (uncredited)
Meet the Chump
1941Movie
Stinky Fink
Buck Privates
1941Movie
Chef
Six Lessons From Madame La Zonga
1941Movie
Gabby
The Invisible Woman
1940Movie
Frankie
Give Us Wings
1940Movie
Buzz Berger
Murder Over New York
1940Movie
Shorty McCoy alias Rashid the Fakir
The Bank Dick
1940Movie
Joe Guelpe
The Leather Pushers
1940Movie
Sailor McNeill
Pleased to Mitt You
1940Movie
Pat Patrick
Millionaires in Prison
1940Movie
Professor
Boobs in the Woods
1940Movie
Gus
The Lone Wolf Meets a Lady
1940Movie
Joe - a Pickpocket
Money Squawks
1940Movie
Shemp
Glove Slingers
1939Movie
Pat Patrick
Another Thin Man
1939Movie
Wacky (uncredited)
Home on the Rage
1938Movie
Happy
Not Guilty Enough
1938Movie
Brother-in-Law
Headin' East
1937Movie
Windy Wylie
Hollywood Round-Up
1937Movie
Oscar Bush
Taking the Count
1937Movie
Knobby Walsh
Kick Me Again
1937Movie
Knobby Walsh
The Blonde Bomber
1936Movie
Knobby Walsh
The Choke's on You
1936Movie
Knobby Walsh
Punch and Beauty
1936Movie
Knobby Walsh
Here's Howe
1936Movie
Knobby Walsh
Absorbing Junior
1936Movie
Henry, the Husband
For the Love of Pete
1936Movie
Knobby Walsh
While the Cat's Away
1936Movie
Henry
The Officer's Mess
1935Movie
Gus Doakes
Convention Girl
1935Movie
Dan Higgins
On the Wagon
1935Movie
Henry
Serves You Right
1935Movie
Johnny Spivens
Why Pay Rent?
1935Movie
Henry
His First Flame
1935Movie
Smokey Moe
A Peach of a Pair
1934Movie
Butler
Dizzy & Daffy
1934Movie
Lefty Howard
So You Won't T-T-T-Talk
1934Movie
Henry
Smoked Hams
1934Movie
Henry Howard
Daredevil O'Dare
1934Movie
Butch
My Mummy's Arms
1934Movie
Kenneth
Art Trouble
1934Movie
Short Painter
I Scream
1934Movie
Moran's Henchman
Rambling 'Round Radio Row #9
1934Movie
Songwriters' Representative
The Three Stooges
1934TV
Shemp
Corn on the Cop
1934Movie
Reginald / Reggie
Pure Feud
1934Movie
Clem McCarthy
Very Close Veins
1934Movie
Sourdough
Everybody Likes Music
1934Movie
Shemp Howard
Pugs and Kisses
1934Movie
Dopey Traynor
The Knife of the Party
1934Movie
Shemp Howard
Mushrooms
1934Movie
Thorndike
The Wrong, Wrong Trail
1934Movie
Piano Mover
Henry the Ache
1934Movie
Artie - One of King Henry's Lackeys
Howd' Ya Like That?
1934Movie
Sailor
Here Comes Flossie!
1933Movie
Ezry
In the Dough
1933Movie
Bugs
Gobs of Fun
1933Movie
Club patron
Paul Revere, Jr.
1933Movie
Attendant
Close Relations
1933Movie
One of the Moles
Salt Water Daffy
1933Movie
Wilbur the Kleptomaniac
Soup to Nuts
1930Movie
Fireman
Spring Fever
1919Movie
The Three Stooges + Comedy Gold Standard
TV
Shemp