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The Three Stooges Star on the Hollywood "Walk of Fame"

One of the only 2 remaining Stooges still alive in 1983, Joe Besser,
pays tribute to his gone but not forgotten counterparts.

 

The Stooge Star - photographs courtesy of Christopher at "Hollywood Blvd." the Virtual Tour

Although the Three Stooges had received world-wide public acclaim and years of uninterrupted success, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce long ignored recognizing them with a star on it's Walk of Fame. The Walk, which consists of bronze stars imbedded in the sidewalks of Hollywood Boulevard, are each enscribed and dedicated to a radio, television, recording or motion picture personality.

The omission of the Stooges brought about cries of discrimination throughout the years. The Stooges themselves once tried to rectify the situation with their usual zaniness. In 1964, Moe, Larry and Curly-Joe came up with a clever idea of painting a huge gold star, at midnight, in the center of the intersection of Hollywood and Vine. The boys planned to dress up in painter's overalls, block off the street and paint their names inside a gigantic mock-up of the star. Moe abandoned the midnight escapade at the last minute, evidently fearing the police might arrest them.

Following a six month letter writing campaign drive headed by radio/TV personality Gary Owens and Jeff and Greg Lenburg, founders of "A Star for The Three Stooges Committee," on August 20, 1983, the Stooges finally received a star.

Joe Besser, representing the trio, joined Joan Maurer and Phyllis Fine Lamond in carrying out the honors of unveiling the star. Hordes of media turned out to cover the event - newspapers, magazines and television crews - plus nearly 3000 fans, then considered the largest turnout for a Hollywood Walk of Fame event. (The star, the 1,767th handed out by the Walk of Fame, is near the famous corner of Hollywood and 1560 Vine.)

Milton Berle, a long-time fan of the Stooges and a personal friend of Moe, Larry and Shemp summed up the ceremony best with his comment:

"What these men gave to the world is timeless. These great gentlemen, who brought laughter to millions and millions of people, will never be forgotten."