The Silver State Chronicles

I’ve seen the future, and it’s Curly

Today would have been the 104th birthday to one of the alltime great movie funnymen, Jerome Howard, better known to fans around the world as Curly of The Three Stooges.

Curly was born Jerome Horwitz in Brooklyn, New York in 1903, the youngest of the five Horwitz brothers, hence his nickname ‘Babe,’ which brother Moe would usually use to refer to him.

In 1928, Jerry gained some notability in the entertainment business as a comedy musical conductor for the Orville Knapp Band, and Moe later recalled that Jerry’s performances usually overshadowed the band.

Meanwhile, brothers Moe and Shemp, along with Larry Feinberg (Fine), were working as ’stooges’ for popular funnyman Ted Healy. Their success took them to Hollywood, but in 1932 Shemp left the act and Moe called in for their brother, Jerry - now dubbed Curly.

The rest is history.

The Three Stooges would go on to make 190 short films for Columbia in 23 years, though the roster over that period had different incarnations. They have consistently been popular, particularly after their shorts began running on television in the late 1950s. They remain iconic funnymen to this day.

Thanks for all the laughter, Jerry! You will live in the hearts of your fans forever!