Joe Besser Biography

Fast Facts

• Began touring with Jimmy Little in 1940, headlining on theater circuits like Orpheum, Paramount, and Loew's
• Started out as a solo comedian in the 1920s in Saint Louis
• Was a fan of magic shows as a child, so much so that he snuck onto Howard Thurston's freight train and insisted he become a part of the show
• Best known as a comedian who was a member of The Three Stooges and played Mr․ Jillson on "The Joey Bishop Show" and Stinky Davis on "The Abbott and Costello Show․"
• Signed with Columbia Pictures in the 1940s to work on feature films and comedy shorts
• His comedy persona became so popular that it was being parodied by "Looney Tunes" characters
• Joined The Three Stooges in 1956 as the replacement for Shemp Howard, who had recently died
• Was the only Stooge present when The Three Stooges were given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1983
• Frequently appeared on shows like "The Jack Benny Show," "The Eddie Cantor Show," and "Tonight on Broadway․"
• Was often a foil for Milton Berle, appearing on "Let Yourself Go" and letting Berle teach him how to get girls on "Philco's Radio Hall of Fame․"