There’s a chance that you’ve never heard of Laurel and Hardy, a comedy duo that famously attempted to deliver a player piano up a large flight of stairs (and won an Oscar for it). You’ve probably heard of The Marx Brothers, or at least you’ve seen the infamous Groucho Marx glasses sold in novelty stores. And if you like baseball or Frankenstein, you might have heard of Abbott and Costello. But there’s one group of comedians that became so well-known, their name is one of the most famous in comedy history: The Three Stooges. 

Over the past 90 years or so, Moe, Larry, and Curly have maintained a status that no other comedy group has achieved. Their influence on modern comedy is undeniable, with gags that are so commonly referenced, audiences can recognize them without ever having watched a single Stooges short. At first glance, the stooges seem like nothing more than three goofballs smacking each other around, but their work was filled with wit and charm that captured the attention of audiences everywhere. 

So, with Dad (Bob) as our guide, we’re going to outline the history of one of America’s most famous trios: The Three Stooges!