Joe DeRita
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Born Name:
Joseph Wardell
Born Date: July 12, 1909
Born Place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Died Date: July 3, 1993
Died Place: Los Angeles, California
Occupations: Actor, comedian
Brief Biography: Joe DeRita best known as "Curly Joe," the final member of The Three Stooges from 1958 to 1975. A veteran of burlesque and the USO, he joined Moe Howard and Larry Fine following Joe Besser's departure, revitalizing the team for a series of feature films and television appearances.
Early Life and Career:
Showbiz Roots: Born into a theatrical family in Philadelphia to Florenz (née DeRita) and Frank Wardell, he performed on stage from age 7.
Burlesque Fame: In the 1920s, he took his mother's maiden name (DeRita) and became a popular comedian on the burlesque circuit.
USO Tours: During WWII, he performed for troops in Britain, France, and the Pacific with stars like Bing Crosby and Randolph Scott.
Initial Columbia Work: He made his film debut in The Doughgirls (1944) and later starred in a few short subjects for Columbia Pictures in 1946–1948, though he found the material limited.
The Three Stooges Years:
Joining the Team: Larry Fine spotted him in a Las Vegas show and recommended him to Moe Howard to replace Joe Besser, who left to care for his ailing wife.
The Persona: He became known as "Curly Joe" because of his resemblance to the original Curly (Jerome Howard) and to differentiate himself from previous Stooge "Joe" (Besser).
Key Films: He starred with the team in films like Have Rocket, Will Travel (1959), Snow White and the Three Stooges (1961), and The Three Stooges Meet Hercules (1962).
Longevity: DeRita was considered a professional, reliable addition who helped the team survive for a new generation in the 1960s.
Personal Life and Legacy:
Only Non-Jewish Member: DeRita was the only member of the team with English and French-Canadian ancestry, rather than Jewish.
Final Years: He outlived all other members and was known as "The Last Stooge," a title engraved on his tombstone.
Born Date: July 12, 1909
Born Place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Died Date: July 3, 1993
Died Place: Los Angeles, California
Occupations: Actor, comedian
Brief Biography: Joe DeRita best known as "Curly Joe," the final member of The Three Stooges from 1958 to 1975. A veteran of burlesque and the USO, he joined Moe Howard and Larry Fine following Joe Besser's departure, revitalizing the team for a series of feature films and television appearances.
Early Life and Career:
Showbiz Roots: Born into a theatrical family in Philadelphia to Florenz (née DeRita) and Frank Wardell, he performed on stage from age 7.
Burlesque Fame: In the 1920s, he took his mother's maiden name (DeRita) and became a popular comedian on the burlesque circuit.
USO Tours: During WWII, he performed for troops in Britain, France, and the Pacific with stars like Bing Crosby and Randolph Scott.
Initial Columbia Work: He made his film debut in The Doughgirls (1944) and later starred in a few short subjects for Columbia Pictures in 1946–1948, though he found the material limited.
The Three Stooges Years:
Joining the Team: Larry Fine spotted him in a Las Vegas show and recommended him to Moe Howard to replace Joe Besser, who left to care for his ailing wife.
The Persona: He became known as "Curly Joe" because of his resemblance to the original Curly (Jerome Howard) and to differentiate himself from previous Stooge "Joe" (Besser).
Key Films: He starred with the team in films like Have Rocket, Will Travel (1959), Snow White and the Three Stooges (1961), and The Three Stooges Meet Hercules (1962).
Longevity: DeRita was considered a professional, reliable addition who helped the team survive for a new generation in the 1960s.
Personal Life and Legacy:
Only Non-Jewish Member: DeRita was the only member of the team with English and French-Canadian ancestry, rather than Jewish.
Final Years: He outlived all other members and was known as "The Last Stooge," a title engraved on his tombstone.