Joe Besser

Birth Name:

Joseph Besser

Birth Place:

St. Louis, Missouri, United States

Profession

Actor, Writer

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
Signed with Columbia Pictures in the 1940s to work on feature films and comedy shorts
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․"
Was the only Stooge present when The Three Stooges were given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1983
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
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․"

Fast Facts