Shemp Howard
Known for
Shemp Howard appears in film and television credits as an American actor, though the paper trail is a thin one. His filmography opens in 1919. Comedy is the territory he has worked in most often. His time in the business covers roughly 107 years. 'The Bank Dick' is where his work is easiest to check, in the role of Joe Guelpe. Another entry in the record is 'Hellzapoppin''.
Shemp Howard
175 Movies
1 Series
Shemp Howard appears in film and television credits as an American actor, though the paper trail is a thin one. His filmography opens in 1919. Comedy is the territory he has worked in most often. His time in the business covers roughly 107 years. 'The Bank Dick' is where his work is easiest to check, in the role of Joe Guelpe. Another entry in the record is 'Hellzapoppin''.
Movies
Plays Chef
Buck Privates
1941
Plays Joe Guelpe
The Bank Dick
1940
Plays Soda Jerk
Hold That Ghost
1941
Plays Shemp Howard
Where the Pest Begins
1945
Plays Shemp
Wham-Bam-Slam!
1955
Plays Louie
Hellzapoppin'
1941
Plays Sinbad
Arabian Nights
1942
Plays Shemp
Tricky Dicks
1953
Plays Shemp
Out West
1947
Plays Shemp
Knutzy Knights
1954
Plays Umbrella Sam
It Ain't Hay
1943
Plays Shemp
Spooks!
1953
Plays Frankie
The Invisible Woman
1940
Plays Shemp
Fright Night
1947
Plays Dizzy
In the Navy
1941
Plays Shemp
Brideless Groom
1947
Plays Shemp
Musty Musketeers
1954
Plays Shemp
Bedlam in Paradise
1955
Plays Shemp
Society Mugs
1946
Plays Binky
Keep 'Em Slugging
1943
Plays Mumbo
Crazy House
1943
Plays Gunner
Africa Screams
1949
Plays Shemp
Hokus Pokus
1949
Plays Shorty (The Tailor)
Pittsburgh
1942
Plays Shemp
Bubble Trouble
1953
Plays Shemp
Hot Ice
1955
Plays Shemp
Fling in the Ring
1955
Plays Shemp
Slaphappy Sleuths
1950
Plays Woodcock 'Woody' J. Strinker
Jiggers, My Wife
1946
Plays Shemp
Dopey Dicks
1950
Plays Shemp
Gold Raiders
1951
Plays Professor
Millionaires in Prison
1940
Plays Shemp
Don't Throw That Knife
1951
Plays Buzz Berger
Give Us Wings
1940
Plays Prof. Shemp Howard
Husbands Beware
1956
Plays Shemp
Gents in a Jam
1952
Plays Bugs
In the Dough
1933
Plays Shemp
Pardon My Clutch
1948
Plays Shemp
Loose Loot
1953
Plays Shemp
The Tooth Will Out
1951
Plays Shemp
Merry Mavericks
1951
Plays Shemp
A Snitch in Time
1950
Plays Shemp
Stone Age Romeos
1955
Plays Jim Gray
Blondie Knows Best
1946
Plays Joe - a Pickpocket
The Lone Wolf Meets a Lady
1940
Plays Fireman
Soup to Nuts
1930
Plays Shemp / Shempetta
Self Made Maids
1950
Plays Shemp
The Hot Scots
1948
Plays Shemp
Rip, Sew and Stitch
1953
Plays Shemp
Baby Sitters Jitters
1951
Latest Trailers
Watch Trailer
Gold Raiders
Full Filmography
For Crimin' Out Loud
Shemp
1956
Film
Flagpole Jitters
Shemp
1956
Film
Creeps
Shemp / Shemp's son
1956
Film
Husbands Beware
Prof. Shemp Howard
1956
Film
Columbia Laff Hour
Shemp
1956
Film
Blunder Boys
Various Days
1955
Film
Hot Ice
Shemp
1955
Film
Wham-Bam-Slam!
Shemp
1955
Film
Stone Age Romeos
Shemp
1955
Film
Photos
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Shemp Howard still alive?
Shemp Howard passed away on November 22, 1955 at age 60.
What are the most famous roles of Shemp Howard?
Shemp Howard is best known for roles in Another Thin Man, The Bank Dick, Hellzapoppin'.
How many movies has Shemp Howard been in?
Over a 36-year career (since 1919), Shemp Howard has appeared in 175 movies and 1 TV shows.
What was Shemp Howard's first movie?
The career of Shemp Howard began with Spring Fever (1919).
What is Shemp Howard's most recent movie or series?
Shemp Howard's most recent release is For Crimin' Out Loud, which premiered on May 3, 1956.
What TV shows has Shemp Howard appeared in?
On television, Shemp Howard has appeared in The Colgate Comedy Hour, The Three Stooges.
Shemp Howard
1895-03-11 · Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA
Samuel (born Shmuel) Horwitz (March 11, 1895 – November 22, 1955), known professionally as Shemp Howard, was an American actor and comedian. He is best known today for his role as the third stooge in the Three Stooges, a role he first portrayed at the beginning of the act in the early 1920s (1923–1932) while the act was still associated with Ted Healy and known as "Ted Healy and his Stooges", and again from 1946 until his death in 1955. Between his times with the Stooges, Shemp had a successful film career as a solo comedian.
He was born in Manhattan, New York and raised in Brooklyn, the third-born of five Horwitz brothers, sons of Lithuanian Jewish parents. Moses - professionally known as Moe Howard - and Jerome - professionally known as Curly Howard - were his younger brothers.
Throughout his career Shemp seldom stuck to the script and would liven up scenes with ad-libbed incidental dialogue or wisecracks. This became a trademark of his performances. His most notable characteristic as a Stooge was a high-pitched "bee-bee-bee-bee-bee-bee!" sound, a sort of soft screech done by inhaling. It became his signature sound. He used his somewhat homely appearance for comic effect, often mugging grotesquely or allowing his hair to fall in disarray.
Shemp was married to the former Gertrude Frank, whom he wed in September 1925. The couple had one child, Morton (1926–1972).
On November 22, 1955, while returning home in a taxicab following attending a boxing match with friends, Shemp, age 60, died of a sudden massive heart attack.
The Three Stooges have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1560 Vine Street.