1. Joseph Wardell, known professionally as Joe DeRita, was an American actor and comedian, who is best known for his stint as a member of The Three Stooges in the persona of Curly Joe DeRita.
13 Facts About Joe DeRita
1. 2.
Joe DeRita himself debunked the rumor, saying that it "added a romance to the story".
3.
When he first joined the act, shortly after appearing in a dramatic role in the Gregory Peck Western, The Bravados, Joe DeRita wore his hair in a style similar to that of former Stooge Shemp Howard and did so during initial live stage performances.
4.
However, with the restored popularity of the Three Stooges shorts on TV featuring Curly Howard, it was suggested that Joe DeRita shave his head in order to look more like Curly.
5.
At first, Joe DeRita sported a crew cut; this eventually became a fully shaven head.
6.
Joe DeRita remained a member of the team through the 1960s, participating in a full workload of television appearances and commercials, a multiyear movie contract, and The New Three Stooges animated cartoons series, which included live-action introductions.
7.
Shortly after Larry's stroke, Moe, Emil, and Joe DeRita were going to appear in a movie written by Moe's grandson, but financing fell through.
8.
Joe DeRita recruited burlesque and vaudeville veterans Mousie Garner and Frank Mitchell to replace Moe and Larry for nightclub engagements.
9.
Joe DeRita's first marriage was to a chorus girl named Bonnie Brooks, born Esther M Hartenstine.
10.
Joe DeRita was the only member of the Stooges who was not Jewish.
11.
Joe DeRita died of pneumonia on July 3,1993, nine days before his 84th birthday.
12.
Joe DeRita was the last surviving member of the Stooges.
13.
Joe DeRita is interred in a grave at the Pierce Brothers Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery in North Hollywood, California.