Paul Howard, the only son of Moe Howard of the Three Stooges and the last surviving son of the classic comedy team lineup – Moe, brothers Curly and Shemp and Larry Fine – died this week. He was 91 years old.
The death was confirmed by a spokesperson for C3 Entertainment, owner of The Three Stooges license and brand. The exact date or cause of death has not been specified.
Howard, who lived on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, had acted as guardian of his father’s legacy, often interacting with fans over the years and, in the words of C3, providing “a unique, first-hand view of the man behind the iconic bowl cut and timeless slapstick comedy.”
Moe Howard and Larry Fine died in 1975; Moe’s brothers, Shemp and Curly, died in 1955 and 1952, respectively.
“He has connected directly with generations of Three Stooges fans at various conventions and events over the years, sharing personal stories, family memories and insight into the life of Moe Howard and the Stooges’ lasting impact on American pop culture,” the announcement said.
In 2015, Paul Howard hosted an acclaimed 9-part documentary series. Hey Moe, Hey Dad!a series that served as an intimate and definitive tribute to the legacy of the Three Stooges, featuring rare archival footage, personal family stories and interviews with the families of Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Curly Howard, Shemp Howard and the latter Stooge Curly Joe DeRita, as well as interviews with well-known celebrity fans including Whoopi Goldberg, Billy West and Leonard Maltin. The documentary series is available on The Three Stooges+ YouTube channel.
Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Curly Howard, 1936
Everett Collection
The Three Stooges, of course, were the beloved comedy troupe, active from the early 1920s until the 1970s, who starred in nearly 200 short films featuring their violent, slapstick humor. Moe Howard and Larry Fine were part of the group throughout its existence, with one or other of Howard’s brothers, Samuel “Shemp” Howard and Jerome “Curly” Howard, taking on the role of third sidekick at different times during the group’s early years. After Shemp and Curly died in the 1950s, comic strips Joe Besser and “Curly Joe” DeRita replaced them in the 1960s.
C3’s statement concluded: “Paul Howard’s dedication to preserving his family’s history leaves a lasting imprint on the global Stooges community. He will be fondly remembered for his dedication to honoring his father’s memory and the joy he brought to fans around the world.”
Howard is survived by his daughter Jennifer and his nephew Jeffrey.
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