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
2.
Joe DeRita himself debunked the rumor, saying that it "added a romance to the story".
3.
When he first joined the act, 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.
The characterization evolved over time; early sketches featuring Curly Joe DeRita have him effectively as a third wheel while Moe and Larry divided most of the comedy between themselves, while by the mid-1960s, Larry's role had been reduced and Curly Joe DeRita divided much of the comedy with Moe.
7.
Curly Joe DeRita showed more backbone, even occasionally talking back to Moe, calling him "buddy boy".
8.
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.
9.
Joe DeRita recruited burlesque and vaudeville veterans Mousie Garner and Frank Mitchell to replace Moe and Larry for nightclub engagements.
10.
Joe DeRita was the last Stooge to be born, the last to join the ensemble, and the last to die.
11.
Joe DeRita was the only member of the Stooges who was not Jewish.
12.
Joe DeRita died of pneumonia on July 3,1993, nine days before his 84th birthday.
13.
Joe DeRita was the last surviving member of the Stooges.