Biography

 Moe, Larry and Joe react to a phone call in Quiz Whizz (1958).

Though comic Joe Besser might not be a household name for everyone, his contributions to the comedy world have left an enduring legacy over six generations. Best known for his role as a member of the Three Stooges from 1957 to 1959, Besser brought his own unique flair to the iconic comedy team, succeeding third stooge Shemp Howard. He also captured hearts as the mischievous "Stinky" on The Abbott and Costello Show during the 1950s.

In recent years, Besser has also been rediscovered by new audiences through his memorable portrayal of Jillson, the beleaguered building superintendent, on The Joey Bishop Show. The series' resurgence on cable TV, DVD releases, and free streaming platforms has introduced his work to a fresh generation of viewers.

Besser's career spanned from the 1920s to the mid-1980s, encompassing vaudeville, Broadway, radio, motion pictures, and television. He even lent his voice to popular Saturday morning cartoons. 

Born on August 12, 1907, in St. Louis, Missouri, Besser initially honed his comedic skills as a bumbling assistant to the famed Thurston the Magician. His childlike, sissy character, marked by hilarious verbal jabs like “Ooh, you cr-a-a-zy you!” became a sensation on 1930s radio shows and was so popular others imitated him.

As Stinky on The Abbott and Costello Show.

Besser’s success on radio led to a contract with Columbia Pictures, where he starred as a lead comedian in three feature films like Hey, Rookie (1944), Eadie Was a Lady (1945), and Talk About a Lady (1946). He made his film debut in Hot Steel (1940), and his distinctive voice and mannerisms were so well-known and recognizable with audiences that even voice actor Mel Blanc (the man of a 1,000 voices) impersonated him in several Looney Tunes cartoons in the 1940s and 1950s.

In addition to his starring feature films, Joe's filmography includes many unforgettable roles: Sheriff Sharkey Dolan alongside Marjorie Main and Donald O'Connor (of Ma and Pa Kettle fame) in Feudin', Fussin', and A-Fightin' (1948), sharing the screen with his real-life pal Shemp Howard, who he ironically replaced in The Three Stooges, in Abbott and Costello’s  classic Africa Screams (1949), and teaming up with the iconic Jackie Gleason in The Desert Hawk (1950). Joe even ventured into dramatic territory with memorable roles in Bing Crosby's Say One for Me (1959) and Marilyn Monroe's Let's Make Love (1960).Besser’s prolific career includes 28 feature films, 11 short subjects, nearly 300 television appearances, and 56 radio shows.

Hollywood trade paper ad
announcing Joe's signing an    
exclusive Columbia Pictures
movie deal.

Besser also voiced over 120 Saturday morning cartoon episodes, portraying characters like the bumbling apprentice genie, Babu (a role tailored for him personally and drawn like him) in Jeannie (1973), Putty Puss in The Houndcats (1972) and Scare Bear in Yogi's Space Race (1978). Despite suffering a minor stroke in 1979, he continued to work and made a notable final appearance as Cupid in My Smurfy Valentine (1983).

In a poignant moment of his career, Besser unveiled the Three Stooges’ Hollywood Walk of Fame star on August 30, 1983. This ceremony set a record with over 3,000 attendees, the largest Walk of Fame unveiling ever. 

Just months later, he published his autobiography, Not Just a Stooge, which was later retitled Once a Stooge, Always a Stooge in 1988. This book was updated and expanded in 2021 by the Lenburgs, now available in various formats (see at the end of this biography).

On June 9, 2013, Besser’s career was celebrated posthumously with a film festival in his hometown of St. Louis, highlighting his contributions and aiming to secure him a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame.

In a poignant moment, Joe points to four
clouds, saying the boys are watching
over the Walk of Fame star unveiling.

For over 55 years, Joe was married to his wife Ernie which was a testament to  their true and enduring love. He passed away on March 1, 1988 in North Hollywood, California of heart failure and is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California. His grave marker reads, "Joe Besser / August 12, 1907 – March 1, 1988 / He Brought the World Love and Laughter," while Ernie’s reads, "Ernestine Besser / March 14, 1900 – July 1, 1989 / In Loving Memory."

Besser's former Stooge partner Larry Fine is interred in a crypt at the Freedom Mausoleum, which is a short distance away from Joe's gravesite.

For a comprehensive biography, buy Once a Stooge, Always a Stooge, in hardcover, paperback, Kindle, audiobook and e-book formats while supplies last.).