Joe Besser

Biography

Joe Besser was an American actor and comedian whose impish humor and wimpy characters made him a vaudeville headliner before he moved into films, radio and television. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, he began in vaudeville and appeared on Broadway in Olsen and Johnson's Sons o' Fun, which led to a Shubert theatrical contract and a move to Hollywood in 1944 for musical comedies such as Hey, Rookie and Eadie Was a Lady (1945). He played the bratty Stinky on The Abbott and Costello Show and later was best known for a short stint with The Three Stooges between 1957 and 1959. Afterward he played superintendent Jillson on The Joey Bishop Show from 1961 to 1965 and voiced characters in cartoons including The Houndcats, Jeannie and Yogi's Space Race. He co-wrote his autobiography, Not Just a Stooge, in 1984 and died in 1988.

80years old at death

Born August 12, 1907St. Louis
Died March 1, 1988North Hollywood
Star sign: LeoThe sign runs July 23 to August 22
Also credited as Besser, Joseph, 1907-1988

Movie Career

Films: 7
Career span: 21 years1949 to 1970

Genres

Comedy57%, 4 films
Romance43%, 3 films
Drama29%, 2 films
Thriller29%, 2 films
Action14%, 1 film

First and latest

Did you know?!

First role
Besser's first act as Thurston's assistant went wrong when he pulled the hidden rabbit from the cape too early, making the audience laugh; from then on he was given comic mishap roles only.
A role that slipped away
Besser never made a single personal appearance as a member of the Three Stooges, and he turned down Moe Howard and Larry Fine's planned tour after their Columbia contract ended.
A first
On May 9, 1946, Besser performed his "Army Drill" routine with stage partner Jimmy Little on the pioneering NBC program Hour Glass. A Life article said about 20,000 people watched on roughly 3,500 television sets, mostly around New York City.

Joe Besser movies on Netflix

Hollywood Horror House1970IMDb rating 5.5as Bus Driver
Which Way to the Front?1970IMDb rating 4.6as Dock Master
Let's Make Love1960IMDb rating 6.4as Charlie Lamont
Plunderers of Painted Flats1959IMDb rating 6.3as Andy Heather
Abbott and Costello Meet the Keystone Kops1955IMDb rating 6.3as Hunter
Woman in Hiding1950IMDb rating 6.9as Salesman with Drum
Africa Screams1949IMDb rating 6.0as Harry

Best known for

The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.

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Let's Make Love1960 Comedy, Musical, Romanceas Charlie Lamont
IMDb rating 6.48.8K votes
Africa Screams1949 Action, Adventure, Comedyas Harry
IMDb rating 6.04.3K votes
Woman in Hiding1950as Salesman with Drum
IMDb rating 6.91.7K votes
Hollywood Horror House1970as Bus Driver
IMDb rating 5.5695 votes
Which Way to the Front?1970as Dock Master
IMDb rating 4.61.5K votes
Plunderers of Painted Flats1959as Andy Heather
IMDb rating 6.3114 votes
Abbott and Costello Meet the Keystone Kops1955as Hunter
IMDb rating 6.32.5K votes

Worked with

Joe Besser shares two films with Lou Costello, and one with each of the others. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.

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Lou Costello

Bud Abbott

Bess Flowers

Irving Bacon

Kathleen Freeman

Chet Brandenburg

George CukorDirector, 1 film

Charles BartonDirector, 1 film Charles LamontDirector, 1 film

Films together

Lou Costello2 films together, 1949 to 1955
Lou Costello's page
- Abbott and Costello Meet the Keystone Kops1955IMDb rating 6.3Besser as HunterCostello as Willie 'Tubby' Piper
- Africa Screams1949IMDb rating 6.0Besser as HarryCostello as Stanley Livington
Bud Abbott2 films together, 1949 to 1955
Bud Abbott's page
- Abbott and Costello Meet the Keystone Kops1955IMDb rating 6.3Besser as HunterAbbott as Harry 'Slim' Pierce
- Africa Screams1949IMDb rating 6.0Besser as HarryAbbott as Buzz Johnson
Bess Flowers1 film together, 1955
Bess Flowers's page
- Abbott and Costello Meet the Keystone Kops1955IMDb rating 6.3Besser as HunterFlowers as Dancer in Restaurant scene
Irving Bacon1 film together, 1950
Irving Bacon's page
- Woman in Hiding1950IMDb rating 6.9Besser as Salesman with DrumBacon as Link
Kathleen Freeman1 film together, 1970
Kathleen Freeman's page
- Which Way to the Front?1970IMDb rating 4.6Besser as Dock MasterFreeman as Bland's Mother
Chet Brandenburg1 film together, 1960
Chet Brandenburg's page
- Let's Make Love1960IMDb rating 6.4Besser as Charlie LamontBrandenburg as Spectator on Sidewalk
George CukorDirector, 1 film, 1960
All films by George Cukor
- Let's Make Love1960IMDb rating 6.4Besser as Charlie Lamont
Charles BartonDirector, 1 film, 1949
All films by Charles Barton
- Africa Screams1949IMDb rating 6.0Besser as Harry
Charles LamontDirector, 1 film, 1955
All films by Charles Lamont
- Abbott and Costello Meet the Keystone Kops1955IMDb rating 6.3Besser as Hunter

Online

Official profiles and reference pages.

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