Curly Howard Biography

Fast Facts

• Suffered from two strokes in 1946 that effectively ended his career as a Stooge and caused him to be replaced in the shorts by his older brother, Shemp, although he made a cameo appearance in "Hold That Lion!" in 1947
• Started out as one of Ted Healy's stooges after his brother Moe suggested he could replace their brother Shemp when he left the act
• Became interested in comedy after watching his brothers Shemp and Moe as stooges for Ted Healy
• Best known as a member of the slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges
• Signed with Columbia Pictures along with Moe and Larry to produce the Three Stooges comedy shorts in 1934
• Was considered the fans' favorite Stooge due to his trademark vocals ("nyuk nyuk") and his physical and surreal comedy performances
• During the 10 years from 1934 to 1944, he and the other Stooges created more than 80 of the comedy industry's funniest shorts
• His trademark "woob-woob-woob" was an altered version of one used by comedian Hugh Herbert
• Was originally known by the stage name Babe, but changed it to Curly on orders from Ted Healy, who also demanded that he shave off his mustache and long brown hair
• His exaggerated walk was meant to hide the fact that he had a limp, which he got after accidentally shooting himself in the left ankle at the age of 12