The Three Stooges were an American vaudeville and comedy team active from 1922 until 1970. Moe Howard (born Moses Horwitz) and Larry Fine (born Louis Feinberg) were mainstays throughout the ensemble's nearly 50-year run. The "third stooge" was played in turn by Shemp Howard, Curly Howard, Joe Besser, and "Curly Joe" DeRita.