Joe Besser
Biografia
Joe Besser (born Jessel Besser, August 12, 1907 – March 1, 1988) was an American actor, comedian, and musician, known for his impish humor and wimpy characters. He is best known for his brief stint as a member of The Three Stooges in movie short subjects of 1957–59. He is also remembered for his television roles: Stinky, the bratty man-child in The Abbott and Costello Show, and Jillson, the maintenance man in The Joey Bishop The zany comedy team of Olsen and Johnson, whose Broadway revues were fast-paced collections of songs and blackouts, hired Joe Besser. His noisy intrusions were perfect for their anything-can-happen format. Besser's work caught the attention of the Shubert brothers, who signed him to a theatrical contract. Columbia Pictures hired Besser away from the Shuberts, and Besser relocated to Hollywood in 1944, where he brought his unique comic character to feature-length musical comedies. Besser also starred in short-subject comedies for Columbia from 1949 to 1956. Besser had substituted for Lou Costello on radio, opposite Bud Abbott, and by the 1950s he was firmly established as one of the Abbott and Costello regulars. When the duo filmed The Abbott and Costello Show for television, they hired Joe Besser to play Oswald "Stinky" Davis, a bratty, loudmouthed child dressed in an oversized Little Lord Fauntleroy outfit, shorts, and a flat top hat with overhanging brim. He appeared during the first season of The Abbott and Costello Show. Besser was cast for the role of Yonkel, a chariot man in the low-budget biblical film Sins of Jezebel, which starred Paulette Goddard as the titular wicked queen. After Shemp Howard died of a heart attack, Moe suggested he and teammate Larry Fine continue working as "The Two Stooges". Studio chief Harry Cohen rejected the proposal. Although Moe had legal approval to allow new members into the act, Columbia executives had the final say about any actor who would appear in the studio's films, and insisted on a performer already under contract to Columbia, Joe Besser. At the time, Besser was one of a few comedians still making comedy shorts at the studio. Besser refrained from imitating Curly or Shemp. He continued to play the same whiny character he had developed over his long career. He had a clause in his contract prohibiting being hit excessively. Besser recalled, "I usually played the kind of character who would hit others back". The Stooges shorts with Besser were filmed from the spring of 1956 to the end of 1957. His Stooge tenure ended when Columbia shut down the two-reel-comedy department on December 20, 1957. Producer-director Jules White had shot enough film for 16 comedies, which were released a few months apart until June 1959, with Sappy Bull Fighters being the final release. Joe Besser was found dead in his home, aged 80, and determined to have died of heart failure.
Filmografia
Filmy i seriale od najnowszych
Mystery Reel
Film • 2022
The Three Stooges: Hey Moe! Hey Dad!
Serial • 2015
jako Joe (archive footage)
The Abbott and Costello Show: Who's On First?
Film • 2011
jako Stinky (archive footage)
Phyllis Diller: Not Just Another Pretty Face
Film • 2007
jako Self (archive footage)
Three Stooges 75th Anniversary Special
Film • 2003
jako Curly-Joe (archive footage)
The Three Stooges Story
Film • 2001
jako Joe (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Three Stooges: Kings Of Laughter
Film • 2001
jako (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Three Stooges Greatest Hits!
Film • 1997
jako (archive footage)
Abbott and Costello Meet Jerry Seinfeld
Film • 1994
jako Self (archive footage)
Classic Comedy Teams
Film • 1986
jako Self (archive footage)
My Smurfy Valentine
Film • 1983
jako Cupid (voice)
Yogi's Space Race
Serial • 1978
Galaxy Goof-Ups
Serial • 1978
jako Scare Bear (voice)
Scooby Doo i Drużyna Gwiazd
Serial • 1977
The Oddball Couple
Serial • 1975
Jeannie
Serial • 1973
Nowy Scooby Doo
Serial • 1972
jako Babu (voice)
The Houndcats
Serial • 1972
Which Way to the Front?
Film • 1970
jako Dock Master
Savage Intruder
Film • 1970
jako Bus Driver
The Monk
Film • 1969
jako Herbie
Love, American Style
Serial • 1969
jako Tony
My World and Welcome to It
Serial • 1969
That's Life
Serial • 1968
The Danny Thomas Hour
Serial • 1967
jako Hermes
The Mothers-in-Law
Serial • 1967
jako Bandleader
That Girl
Serial • 1966
Batman zbawia świat
Serial • 1966
jako Penguin Supporter (uncredited)
The Hollywood Palace
Serial • 1964
jako Self
A Day at the Horse Opera
Film • 1962
jako Indian Chief
Hand of Death
Film • 1962
jako Service station attendant
The Errand Boy
Film • 1961
jako Man Watching Rushes
The Alvin Show
Serial • 1961
The Joey Bishop Show
Serial • 1961
jako Mr. Jillson
Pokochajmy się
Film • 1960
jako Charlie Lamont
The Rookie
Film • 1959
jako Soldier
The Story on Page One
Film • 1959
jako Gallagher (uncredited)
Say One for Me
Film • 1959
jako Joe Greb
Sappy Bull Fighters
Film • 1959
jako Joe
Triple Crossed
Film • 1959
jako Joe
Plunderers of Painted Flats
Film • 1959
jako Andy Heather
Oil's Well That Ends Well
Film • 1958
jako Joe
Flying Saucer Daffy
Film • 1958
jako Joe
Sweet and Hot
Film • 1958
jako Joe
Pies and Guys
Film • 1958
jako Joe
Fifi Blows Her Top
Film • 1958
jako Joe Besser
Quiz Whizz
Film • 1958
jako Himself
Outer Space Jitters
Film • 1957
jako Joe / Joe's Son
Rusty Romeos
Film • 1957
jako Joe
The Helen Morgan Story
Film • 1957
jako Bartender (uncredited)
Horsing Around
Film • 1957
jako Joe
Guns a Poppin!
Film • 1957
jako Joe
Space Ship Sappy
Film • 1957
jako Joe
A Merry Mix-Up
Film • 1957
jako Joe / Jack / Jeff
Muscle Up a Little Closer
Film • 1957
jako Joe
Hoofs and Goofs
Film • 1957
jako Joe
Army Daze
Film • 1956
jako Pvt. Joe Besser
Columbia Laff Hour
Film • 1956
jako Joe (archive footage)
It's a Dog's Life
Film • 1955
jako Dog Catcher (uncredited)
Hook a Crook
Film • 1955
jako Joe Besser
Two-Gun Lady
Film • 1955
jako Doc McGinnis
Headline Hunters
Film • 1955
jako Coroner
Mad at the World
Film • 1955
jako Gas Station Attendant
G.I. Dood It
Film • 1955
jako Pvt. Joe Marblehead / Homer the Dog (voice)
Abbott i Costello w wytwórni filmowej
Film • 1955
jako Hunter (uncredited)
The Millionaire
Serial • 1955
jako Chester Pips
December Bride
Serial • 1954
The Fire Chaser
Film • 1954
jako Eric Loudermilk Potts
Sins of Jezebel
Film • 1953
jako Yonkel
I, the Jury
Film • 1953
jako Pete, Elevator Operator
Spies and Guys
Film • 1953
jako Pvt. Joe Besser
A Day in the Country
Film • 1953
jako Narrator (voice)
General Electric Theater
Serial • 1953
jako Manager
The Abbott and Costello Show
Serial • 1952
jako Stinky Davis
Caught on the Bounce
Film • 1952
jako Joe
Aim, Fire, Scoot
Film • 1952
jako Pvt. Joe Besser
Fraidy Cat
Film • 1951
jako Joe Besser
The Desert Hawk
Film • 1950
jako Prince Sinbad
The Gene Autry Show
Serial • 1950
Dizzy Yardbird
Film • 1950
jako Pvt. Rodney Marblehead
Outside the Wall
Film • 1950
jako The Cook (uncredited)
Joe Palooka Meets Humphrey
Film • 1950
jako Carlton
Woman in Hiding
Film • 1950
jako Salesman with Drum
Waiting in the Lurch
Film • 1949
jako Eric Loudermilk Potts
Afrykańska przygoda (1949)
Film • 1949
jako Harry
Feudin', Fussin' and A-Fightin'
Film • 1948
jako Sharkey Dolan
Hour Glass
Serial • 1946
Talk About a Lady
Film • 1946
jako Roly Q. Entwhistle
Eadie Was a Lady
Film • 1945
jako Professor Diogenes Dingle
Hey, Rookie
Film • 1944
jako Pendleton "Pudge" Pfeiffer
Hot Steel
Film • 1940
jako Siggie Landers
The Three Stooges
Serial • 1934
jako Joe