Paul Howard, the only son of comedy legend Moe Howard of the Three Stooges and a beloved curator of the comedy team's legacy, has passed away.
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The 91-year-old Manhattan resident's exact cause of death remains unknown. However, Deadline, citing C3 Entertainment, the owner of the Three Stooges IP, reported that Howard died earlier this week. The outlet added that Paul Howard was the last surviving direct offspring of the comedy team's classic lineup of Moe, his brothers Curly and Shemp, and Larry Fine.
Paul Howard was a keeper of his famous father's legacy, with C3 saying he provided fans with "a unique, firsthand view of the man behind the iconic bowl cut and timeless slapstick comedy."
"He connected directly with generations of The Three Stooges fans at various conventions and events over the years, sharing personal stories, family memories, and insights into the life of Moe Howard and the Stooges' enduring impact on American pop culture," C3 added about Paul Howard's contribution to the world of the Three Stooges.
His father, Moe Howard, died in 1975. Larry Fine also passed away in 1975, with Curly Howard passing in 1952, followed by Shemp Howard in 1955.
Paul Howard Hosted a Seminal Docuseries About the Three Stooges in 2015
In 2015, Paul Howard also hosted a 9-part docuseries, Hey Moe, Hey Dad!, which is available to stream on The Three Stooges' YouTube channel. The series paid tribute to The Three Stooges with rare archival footage, family stories, and interviews with the Stooges' families and celebrity fans, including Whoopi Goldberg, voice actor Billy West, and film critic Leonard Maltin.
The Three Stooges attained comedy legend status in nearly 200 slapstick film shorts dating back to the 1930s. Moe Howard and Larry Fine were mainstays, joined at different times by Shemp Howard, Curly Howard, Joe Besser, and Curly Joe DeRita. Through TV syndication over the decades, they've attained a legion of fans spanning generations.
Meanwhile, as a keeper of the flame, C3 wrote that Paul Howard's "devotion to preserving his family's history leaves a lasting imprint on the global Stooges community. He will be remembered fondly for his dedication to honoring his father's memory and the joy he brought to fans worldwide."
Howard leaves behind a daughter, Jennifer, and a nephew, Jeffrey.
