The Three Stooges facts for kids

Moe, Shemp, and Larry

The Three Stooges was a very popular comedy group that made funny short movies from 1934 to 1970. They were famous for their silly, over-the-top physical comedy, which is called slapstick comedy. This type of humor involves exaggerated actions like tripping, falling, and gentle pokes or slaps, all meant to make people laugh. The main actors who were part of The Three Stooges over the years included Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Jerome Curly Howard, and Shemp Howard.

Who Were The Three Stooges?

The Three Stooges were a group of comedians who worked together for many years. They starred in nearly 200 short films, which were like mini-movies, usually about 16 to 18 minutes long. These films were shown in movie theaters before the main feature film. Their comedy was all about silly situations and funny physical actions.

Their Comedy Style

The Stooges were masters of slapstick comedy. This means they used a lot of physical humor to get laughs. They would often poke each other in the eyes (but not really!), hit each other with props, or fall down in funny ways. It was all pretend, of course, and meant to be lighthearted and amusing. Their humor was simple and easy to understand, which is why so many people, young and old, enjoyed their films.

The Main Actors

Over the years, the group had different members, but the most famous lineup included Moe Howard, Larry Fine, and Curly Howard.

Moe Howard

Moe Howard was often seen as the leader of the group. He usually played the bossy, short-tempered character who would come up with the plans (which often went wrong!). He was known for his bowl-cut hairstyle and his funny expressions.

Larry Fine

Larry Fine was the middleman of the group, known for his wild, frizzy hair. He often played the calmer character who would get caught in the middle of Moe and Curly's (or Shemp's) antics. Larry was a talented violinist before he became a comedian.

Curly Howard

Curly Howard was one of the most beloved members. He was Moe's younger brother and was famous for his high-pitched "Nyuk, nyuk, nyuk!" laugh and his funny "woo-woo-woo" sound. Curly was known for his bald head and his energetic, childlike behavior. He brought a lot of unique humor to the group.

Shemp Howard

Shemp Howard was Moe and Curly's older brother. He was one of the original members of the group before Curly joined. Shemp returned to the group later when Curly became ill. He had a different style of comedy, often using funny facial expressions and a more laid-back approach.

Their Legacy

Even though their short films were made many decades ago, The Three Stooges are still popular today. Their movies are often shown on television, and many people enjoy their timeless slapstick humor. They created a unique style of comedy that continues to make new generations laugh.

Images for kids

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  Healy and Joan Crawford with the Three Stooges in MGM's Dancing Lady (1933)

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  A thinner Curly (with a full head of hair and false handlebar mustache) as the cook in Malice in the Palace (1949) with Larry, Moe and Shemp. Curly's scene was deleted from the final release.

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  The Stooges with Curly Joe DeRita (left) in 1959

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  Larry, Moe and Curly Joe in a 1962 TV ad promoting their earlier short subjects, though DeRita never appeared in any

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  Larry and Curly Joe put Moe through his paces on the cover of The Three Stooges (Dell Comics, May 1961).

See also

In Spanish: Los Tres Chiflados para niños