Paul Howard, Son of Three Stooges Star Moe Howard, Dies at 91

Paul Howard, the son of Moe Howard of The Three Stooges, has died at the age of 91. Variety reported that he died earlier this week in Manhattan.

A spokesperson for C3 Entertainment, which owns the license and brand for The Three Stooges, announced the death, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Howard was born on July 8, 1935. He was the last remaining son of the original line-up of the act, which included his father Moe, Curly Howard, Shemp Howard and Larry Fine.

The Stooges were a slapstick comedy trio whose short films and feature appearances kept them in front of audiences for decades. Moe Howard, who led the group, died in 1975 at the age of 77. He had married Helen Schonberger in June 1925. She was a cousin of the magician Harry Houdini.

Howard kept his father's story alive long after the original team had gone. In 2015 he hosted and narrated "Hey Moe, Hey Dad!", a nine-part docuseries that looks at the personal lives and showbiz history of the Stooges and their early mentor, Ted Healy. The series is available on The Three Stooges+ YouTube channel. He also wrote several books in his father's honour, and he travelled to fan events and Three Stooges conventions to share memories with audiences.

For many years he lived in Rifton, New York, for more than 40 years. He later moved to Manhattan's Upper East Side. Hollywood Reporter's account says he is survived by his wife, Joanne, and his daughter, Jennifer. His nephew, Jeffrey, and his cousin, Janie Howard Hanky, also survive him. Janie is the daughter of Curly Howard. Paul's sister, Joan Howard, died in September 2021 at the age of 94.

For longtime fans, Howard was a living link to the family behind the haircuts, the eye pokes and the rapid-fire slaps. His death leaves Janie Howard Hanky and the Howard family's remaining relatives as the closest family ties to the original team.