A heartbreaking loss has struck the family of one of America’s most beloved comedy legends, marking the end of a remarkable chapter in Hollywood history.
Paul Howard, the only son of Three Stooges icon Moe Howard and a cherished connection to the legendary comedy team, has died at 91. His death earlier this week was confirmed by C3 Entertainment, the company responsible for managing the Three Stooges brand. A cause of death has not been publicly disclosed.
Howard was the last surviving son of the group’s classic lineup, which included his father, uncles Curly and Shemp Howard, and longtime comedy partner Larry Fine. Although he never achieved his father’s Hollywood fame, Paul spent decades ensuring that the laughter and memories behind the Three Stooges would never be forgotten.
Following Moe’s death in 1975, Paul became a familiar face at fan conventions and special events, sharing rare family stories and revealing what the famously short-tempered Stooge was really like away from the cameras. His firsthand memories offered audiences a side of the comedy legend they could never have seen on television.
In a tribute, C3 Entertainment praised Howard for his extraordinary dedication to preserving his family’s history and connecting generations of fans with the comedians who helped define American slapstick humor.
Born July 8, 1935, Paul was the youngest child of Moe and Helen Howard. His older sister, Joan Howard Maurer, later wrote about their famous father’s excitement over finally welcoming a son. Joan died in 2021 at age 94.
Paul’s most significant contribution came in 2015, when he directed and hosted the nine-part documentary series Hey Moe, Hey Dad!. The production featured rare archival footage, family memories and interviews with relatives of the Stooges, along with celebrity admirers Whoopi Goldberg, Billy West and Leonard Maltin.
The series gave viewers an intimate look at the men behind the legendary comedy routines, preserving stories that might otherwise have disappeared with time.
The Three Stooges became household names through 190 Columbia Pictures comedy shorts, beginning in 1934. Their unforgettable eye pokes, wild antics and perfectly timed physical comedy made Moe, Larry, Curly and Shemp enduring television favorites. Later members Joe Besser and Curly Joe DeRita helped carry the act into a new era.
Decades after the original comedians died, their films continue entertaining audiences who grew up watching the troupe’s unmistakable brand of humor.
Howard spent more than 40 years living in Rifton, New York, before relocating to Manhattan. He is survived by his wife, Joanne, daughter Jennifer, nephew Jeffrey and cousin Janie Howard Hanky, Curly Howard’s daughter.
For longtime Three Stooges fans, his passing represents more than the loss of a famous comedian’s son. It marks the farewell of a devoted storyteller who spent much of his life keeping one of America’s greatest comedy traditions alive.