Baboon

The lovable clown who lived to make audiences howl.

Curly Joe DeRita was the last 'third Stooge,' known for his rotund, cheerful buffoonery and elastic physical comedy that kept the Three Stooges franchise alive into the 1960s. His persona was built entirely on warm, self-deprecating slapstick — mugging, pratfalls, and crowd-pleasing goofiness rather than sharp wit or dominance. Like the baboon, he was an affectionate, expressive performer who thrived in the ensemble spotlight and was beloved precisely for his comedic warmth and accessibility.