06/19/2026
Joe “Curly Joe” DeRita 🌹🪦 (1909–1993) was a gifted American comedian and actor—best remembered as the affable, mustachioed sixth member of The Three Stooges, bringing his own charm and timing to the legendary slapstick trio during their beloved resurgence in the late 1950s and 1960s.
Born Joseph Franklin Wardell in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, into a family rooted in vaudeville and entertainment, Joe began performing at just 7 years old—first in family acts, then on the bustling burlesque circuit. His expressive face, physical agility, and sharp comedic instincts earned him early acclaim.
By the early 1940s, he was headlining West Coast stage shows and, during World War II, brought laughter and morale to troops overseas, touring with stars like Randolph Scott and Bing Crosby for the USO.
He made his film debut in The Doughgirls (1944) and went on to appear in numerous comedies and Columbia short subjects—including Slappily Married and The Good Bad Egg—often sharing the screen with familiar faces from the Stooges’ universe.
In 1958, after the original Columbia shorts unit disbanded and Joe Besser stepped away from touring, Moe Howard and Larry Fine sought a new third Stooge. Joe DeRita joined them—not as a replacement, but as a fresh partner in comedy. To distinguish himself from the beloved original Curly Howard, he adopted the endearing moniker “Curly Joe.” The trio formed Comedy III Productions, Inc., which continues to steward the Stooges’ legacy today.
With Joe aboard, The Three Stooges experienced a remarkable revival—fueled by television syndication of their classic shorts and energized by enthusiastic live audiences nationwide. The team starred in six feature films during this era, including Have Rocket, Will Travel (1959) and The Three Stooges Go Around the World in a Daze (1963). Larry Fine later called this period—spanning the late 1950s through the 1960s—the “golden years” of the act.
Though production slowed after Larry’s stroke in 1970—and ended entirely with Moe’s passing in 1975—Joe remained proud of his time with the Stooges and deeply appreciative of the fans who kept their humor alive for generations.
He was married twice: first to Bonnie Brooks, and later to Jean Sullivan, who remained by his side until his passing.
Joe “Curly Joe” DeRita died peacefully at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, California, at age 83.
He is laid to rest at
Valhalla Memorial Park,
North Hollywood, Los Angeles County, California, USA.
