When you think of the Three Stooges, Moe Howard often comes to mind as the tough guy, the one pulling all the strings. But beneath that tough exterior, there was a softer side to Moe that only his family really knew. In an exclusive interview with Closer Weekly, Moe's daughter, Joan Maurer, opens up about her dad, revealing a side of him that fans might not have expected. "I was the most spoiled kid in the world," Joan shares, painting a picture of a doting father who would drop everything to make his daughter happy. Whether it was a jump rope or anything else, Moe was there to make sure Joan got what she wanted, often the same day she mentioned it.

The Early Life of Moe Howard

Born as Moses Harry Horwitz, Moe was the fourth of five brothers in a Lithuanian-Jewish family living in a tough Brooklyn neighborhood at the dawn of the 20th century. Joan describes her father's early years, saying, "I used to fight my way to school, in school and back home from school." It wasn't an easy upbringing, and Moe didn't stick around for high school, dropping out after just two months. But even in those challenging times, Moe had dreams. From a young age, he had his heart set on a career in show business, a passion that would shape the rest of his life.

three-stooges-moe-shemp-curlya — Getty Images

The Stooges' Dynamic

Together with his brothers Shmuel Howard (Shemp) and Jerome Howard (Curly), and their friend Larry Fine, Moe formed the legendary comedy group, the Three Stooges. Joan paints a vivid picture of her father's personality, calling him "a very loving, giving, emotional type of character." This warmth and generosity extended beyond the screen, shaping his interactions with his family and friends.

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Moe's Marriage and Family Life

Moe married Helen Schonberger, a cousin of the famous Harry Houdini, in 1925, and they enjoyed a long and loving marriage that lasted 50 years until Moe's passing in 1975. Joan recalls her father's feelings of guilt over being away from home so much due to his demanding career. "He worried about me and my brother, and that’s one thing I got from him — how to worry!" she says with a laugh, highlighting the close bond they shared despite the distance.

Curly, Moe's younger brother, had a more turbulent family life. "Curly was very handsome and quite the ladies' man," shares grandson Brad Server, who keeps Curly's legacy alive through tribute videos on YouTube. Curly was married four times and didn't have the stable family life that Moe enjoyed. Joan remembers Curly coming over to swim in their family pool, calling him "a great comedy diver." She adds, "My dad kind of fathered Curly, who was like a big kid." Curly had two children but didn't get to spend much time with them due to his career and personal struggles.

Uncle Shemp and Uncle Larry

Joan and Marilyn, Curly's daughter, have fond memories of Uncle Shemp. Marilyn describes him as "amazing — wonderfully sweet, loving, and funny," recalling how he would entertain them with tricks and pull money out of his ears. Meanwhile, Larry was more into the finer things in life. "He loved the track, and he liked women," Joan says, noting that Larry knew how to enjoy life in ways her father didn't.

Legacy of the Three Stooges

Curly's health issues began in 1946 when he suffered a stroke, leading to Shemp replacing him onscreen. Tragically, Curly passed away from another stroke in 1952 at the young age of 48. Marilyn reflects on her father's life, saying, "When you live through a few years of being very sick and die at 48, you don’t have the blessing to look back." Yet, the Three Stooges' legacy lives on, bringing laughter to countless fans worldwide. As Paul puts it, "They were just so unique. They were lovable, magical personalities."

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