Joe Besser, a diminutive, rotund, and balding character actor, was born on August 12, 1907, in the vibrant city of St. Louis, Missouri. Prior to commencing his cinematic career, Besser began his journey on the vaudeville circuit, honing his skills and building a reputation as a talented performer.
As the 1930s dawned, Besser transitioned to the silver screen, becoming a frequent foil for the comedic duo of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello in their films. His antics and comedic timing made him a natural fit for the pair, and he went on to play the lovable but obnoxious Stinky on their popular 1950s situation comedy.
In 1956, Besser joined the legendary comedy troupe, The Three Stooges, but his tenure was cut short when he left the group in 1958 to care for his ailing wife. The 1960s saw Besser continue to work prolifically in both film and television, making a remarkable 88 appearances on The Joey Bishop Show (1961) and securing a recurring role as the voice of Babu on the animated series Jeannie (1973).
Tragically, Besser's life was cut short when he passed away at the age of 80 on March 1, 1988, due to complications from heart failure, in his home in North Hollywood, California.
