Curly Joe DeRita

"Curly" Joe DeRita (July 12, 1909 – July 3, 1993), born Joseph Wardell, was an American comedian who is best known as the "sixth" of the Three Stooges.

Wardell's father was a stage technician, and his mother, a professional stage dancer; the three often acted on stage together from his early childhood. Taking his mother's maiden name, DeRita, the actor joined the Burlesque circuit during the 1920s, gaining fame as a comedian. During World War II, DeRita joined the USO, performing through Britain and France with such celebrities as Bing Crosby and Randolph Scott.

After Shemp Howard died in 1955, Moe Howard and Larry Fine tried to complete the "Three Stooges" act with Joe Besser, who left shortly thereafter over creative differences. Familiar with DeRita's work, Howard asked him to join the act, which he readily accepted. Noticing his physical resemblance of predecessors Besser and Curly Howard, DeRita was named "Curly Joe," and became the third Stooge in 1958.

DeRita's arrival coincided with necessary changes to the formula. With the advent of longer theatrical films, Columbia Pictures' short films studio shut down, leaving the Stooges to seek their own full-length features. The team formed Comedy III Productions, Inc., and created a number of theatrical Three Stooges films, including Have Rocket, Will Travel and Snow White Meets the Three Stooges.

Through the 1960s, DeRita became a readily accepted member of the team, participating in animated series and television series such as The New 3 Stooges. However, Larry Fine suffered a stroke in 1970, permanently disbanding the Stooges. In later years, DeRita attempted to form "The New Three Stooges," featuring actors unrelated to the originals, but the act failed and DeRita retired.

Curly Joe DeRita died in Los Angeles on July 3, 1993. Being the final living member of the original Three Stooges act, his epitaph reads, "The Last Stooge."