Paul Howard, Moe Howard’s Son and Three Stooges Legacy Keeper, Dies at 91

Paul Howard, the only son of Three Stooges star Moe Howard and the last surviving son of the troupe’s classic lineup, has died at 91. C3 Entertainment, which owns the Stooges brand and licensing rights, confirmed his death. The company did not provide a date or cause. Howard was known to fans as a close link to the people behind the comedy act. He met generations of Three Stooges followers at conventions and other events, sharing family memories and stories about his father and the group’s place in American pop culture, according to C3 Entertainment. The company described him as offering a rare firsthand perspective on the man behind Moe’s signature bowl haircut and the troupe’s enduring slapstick. Its statement also praised his commitment to protecting his family’s history and said his work left a lasting mark on the worldwide Stooges community. In 2015, Howard hosted the nine-part docuseries Hey Moe, Hey Dad!, an intimate look at the group’s legacy. The series included archival material, accounts from family members and interviews with relatives of Moe Howard, Larry Fine, Curly Howard, Shemp Howard and Curly Joe DeRita. Celebrity fans including Whoopi Goldberg, Billy West and Leonard Maltin also took part. The series is available through The Three Stooges+ YouTube channel. The comedy troupe began performing in the early 1920s and remained active through 1970, appearing in nearly 200 short films. Moe Howard and Larry Fine were longtime members, while Moe’s brothers Shemp and Curly each played the third Stooge at different points. Joe Besser and Curly Joe DeRita later joined the act. Moe Howard and Larry Fine died in 1975. Shemp Howard died in 1955, and Curly Howard in 1952. Paul Howard is survived by his daughter, Jennifer, and nephew Jeffrey.