The Three Stooges were an
American vaudeville and comedy act of the early to mid–20th century best
known for their numerous short subject films. Their hallmark was physical farce and extreme slapstick. In films, the Stooges were commonly known by their first names: "Moe, Larry, and Curly" and "Moe, Larry, and Shemp," among other lineups. They first started as "Ted Healy and his Stooges" which contained Moe, Larry and Shemp. "The Three Stooges" film trio was originally composed of
Moe Howard, brother
Curly Howard and
Larry Fine.
Shemp Howard replaced brother Curly, when Curly suffered a debilitating
stroke in May 1946.