Larry Fine

Lawrence Feinberg, known to the world as Larry Fine, secured his place as an indelible fixture of American comedic history as one-third of the legendary slapstick comedy act, The Three Stooges. Born on October 5, 1902, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Fine's life from his earliest days bore the hallmark of resilience and creativity that later became synonymous with his on-screen persona. Fine was born into a Jewish family that ran a watch repair and jewelry shop. A curious and inquisitive child, Fine had an unfortunate accident during his early years that went on to define his subsequent path. While reaching for a bottle of acid in his father's shop, he spilled it on his forearm, causing significant damage to both skin and muscles. To counteract possible long-term harm, doctors suggested Fine take up violin to strengthen his damaged muscles. As he embraced this advice, music and entertainment started to weave themselves into the fabric of his daily life. By his teenage years, Fine had developed notable proficiency with the violin, enough to perform professionally. He joined Gus Edwards' vaudeville circuit, honing his performance skills and nurturing his inherent charisma. These formative experiences on the vaudeville stage laid the foundation for what would become his ephemeral success as part of The Three Stooges. In the 1920s, during the height of vaudeville's popularity, Fine encountered Ted Healy, a versatile vaudevillian performer, and later, co-founder of The Stooges. Healy, along with brothers Moe and Shemp Howard, were already gaining notice for their unique antics that blended slapstick with verbal humor. Impressed by Fine's exceptional qualities and adept stage presence, Healy invited him to join their burgeoning act. Fine was seamlessly assimilated into the troupe, a pairing that was destined to achieve cultural icon status. In 1930, The Three Stooges made their way to Hollywood, fleshing out the potential of this peculiar act which thrived on chaos and precision. Fine, Moe Howard, and initially Shemp Howard, later replaced by Curly Howard, integrated themselves into Columbia Pictures, a partnership that would last for nearly a quarter of a century. Their films, characterized by farcical slapstick, witty repartees, and Fine's memorable panache, became emblematic of a generation’s best comedy. Larry Fine’s character was distinct for its mediating temperament amidst the boisterous Moe and the endearingly dim-witted Curly. Fine's stage presence, his wild hair always in a frizzy disarray, and his violin-supported genius, offered a delightful contrast. The comedic trio brought vitality and kinetic energy, mining from the absurdities of everyday life and giving the era the catharsis it yearned for, especially during the hardships of the Great Depression and World War II. One of the unique elements about Fine's career was the sheer endurance and evolution of The Three Stooges' act through decades as it adapted to new media. The group shifted comfortably from vaudeville to film, and later to television, effectively making Fine and his cohorts pioneers of multi-medium entertainment. The Three Stooges' shorts became a staple on television for children and adults alike, retaining their humor's freshness with each replay across TVs worldwide. However, the success was not without challenges. The sudden illness of Curly Howard in 1946 and later his death prompted a shift in dynamics with Shemp Howard's return. After Shemp's death in 1955, other comics attempted to fill the big shoes left behind, but the act's trajectory turned tumultuous. Despite these setbacks, and the changing tastes of audiences which began to favor more sophisticated forms of comedy, Fine's dedication to his craft never wavered. During the twilight of his career, life pressed heavily on Larry Fine. A series of strokes debilitated the vibrant comic, and by the mid-1960s, he was no longer able to perform. Yet even in his later years, Fine remained a figure of admiration, his legacy enduring in the humorous echoes of generations. He spent his final years at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, California, serving as a living testament to an ever-evolving entertainment industry. During these years, he shared stories with fans visiting the care facility, manifesting his enduring, generous spirit. Larry Fine passed away on January 24, 1975. His legacy as part of The Three Stooges remains undisputed, a hallmark of early American slapstick comedy. Fine's work, along with Moe and Curly Howard, transcended the silent era and laid the bedrock for future generations of comedians who would take cues from his penchant for chaos interspersed with moments of contemplative calm. Larry Fine’s skillful humor and timeless artistry continue to enliven audiences, his life story a testament to the eccentric undertakings in America’s rich tapestry of entertainment history. His contributions to the art of comedy immortalize him as not only an actor but as a cornerstone of America's comedic sensibility.