Just then Abbott would show up. “Stop picking on that little boy, Costello!”
Poor Lou!
According to friends and family members, Shemp Howard was the one member of the group who was naturally funny all of the time even when the cameras weren’t rolling.
One motivation for Shemp going solo before the Stooges made it in pictures was that he rightly developed an intense dislike for Ted Healy. Shemp made short subjects of his own and had a fairly substantial career as a supporting character actor and comic. He made films with W. C. Fields and Abbott & Costello.
His final role with Abbott & Costello “Africa Screams” is interesting because it also featured Joe Besser.
Believe it or not, Besser was celebrated as a popular live stage show vaudeville type performer. Before being paired with Moe and Larry as Shemp’s replacement, Besser had his own series of short films at Columbia.
Just then Abbott would show up. “Stop picking on that little boy, Costello!”
Poor Lou!
Curly didn’t really want to be a comedian...he wanted to be a singer.