Joe Besser
Actor
Born August 12, 1907 in Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
Joe Besser (born Jessel Besser, August 12, 1907 – March 1, 1988) was an American actor, comedian, and musician, known for his impish humor and wimpy characters. He is best known for his brief stint as a member of The Three Stooges in movie short subjects of 1957–59. He is also remembered for his television roles: Stinky, the bratty man-child in The Abbott and Costello Show, and Jillson, the maintenance man in The Joey Bishop The zany comedy team of Olsen and Johnson, whose Broadway revues were fast-paced collections of songs and blackouts, hired Joe Besser. His noisy intrusions were perfect for their anything-can-happen format. Besser's work caught the attention of the Shubert brothers, who signed him to a theatrical contract. Columbia Pictures hired Besser away from the Shuberts, and Besser relocated to Hollywood in 1944, where he brought his unique comic character to feature-length musical comedies. Besser also starred in short-subject comedies for Columbia from 1949 to 1956. Besser had substituted for Lou Costello on radio, opposite Bud Abbott, and by the 1950s he was firmly established as one of the Abbott and Costello regulars. When the duo filmed The Abbott and Costello Show for television, they hired Joe Besser to play Oswald "Stinky" Davis, a bratty, loudmouthed child dressed in an oversized Little Lord Fauntleroy outfit, shorts, and a flat top hat with overhanging brim. He appeared during the first season of The Abbott and Costello Show. Besser was cast for the role of Yonkel, a chariot man in the low-budget biblical film Sins of Jezebel, which starred Paulette Goddard as the titular wicked queen.
Filmography
The Three Stooges: Hey Moe! Hey Dad!
Joe (archive footage)
The Abbott and Costello Show: Who's On First?
Stinky (archive footage)
Phyllis Diller: Not Just Another Pretty Face
Self (archive footage)
Three Stooges 75th Anniversary Special
Curly-Joe (archive footage)
The Three Stooges Story
Joe (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Three Stooges: Kings Of Laughter
(archive footage) (uncredited)
The Three Stooges Greatest Hits!
(archive footage)
Abbott and Costello Meet Jerry Seinfeld
Self (archive footage)
Classic Comedy Teams
Self (archive footage)
My Smurfy Valentine
Cupid (voice)
Yogi's Space Race
Galaxy Goof-Ups
Scare Bear (voice)
Scooby's All-Stars
مخمخ و مشمش الثنائي المدهش
Jeannie
The New Scooby-Doo Movies
Babu (voice)
The Houndcats
Which Way to the Front?
Dock Master
Savage Intruder
Bus Driver
The Monk
Herbie
Love, American Style
Tony
My World and Welcome to It
The Danny Thomas Hour
Hermes
The Mothers-in-Law
Joe
That Girl
Batman
Penguin Supporter (uncredited)
The Hollywood Palace
Self
Hand of Death
Service station attendant
The Errand Boy
Man Watching Rushes
The Alvin Show
Let's Make Love
Charlie Lamont
The Rookie
Soldier
The Story on Page One
Gallagher (uncredited)
Say One for Me
Joe Greb
Sappy Bull Fighters
Joe
Triple Crossed
Joe
Plunderers of Painted Flats
Andy Heather
Oil's Well That Ends Well
Joe
Flying Saucer Daffy
Joe
Sweet and Hot
Joe
Pies and Guys
Joe
Fifi Blows Her Top
Joe Besser
Quiz Whizz
Himself
Outer Space Jitters
Joe / Joe's Son
Rusty Romeos
Joe
The Helen Morgan Story
Bartender (uncredited)
Horsing Around
Joe
Guns a Poppin!
Joe
Space Ship Sappy
Joe
A Merry Mix-Up
Joe / Jack / Jeff
Muscle Up a Little Closer
Joe
Hoofs and Goofs
Joe
Army Daze
Pvt. Joe Besser
Columbia Laff Hour
Joe (archive footage)
It's a Dog's Life
Dog Catcher (uncredited)
Hook a Crook
Joe Besser
Two-Gun Lady
Doc McGinnis
Headline Hunters
Coroner
Mad at the World
Gas Station Attendant
G.I. Dood It
Pvt. Joe Marblehead / Homer the Dog (voice)
Abbott and Costello Meet the Keystone Kops
Hunter (uncredited)
The Millionaire
Chester Pips
December Bride
The Fire Chaser
Eric Loudermilk Potts
Sins of Jezebel
Yonkel
I, the Jury
Pete, Elevator Operator
Spies and Guys
Pvt. Joe Besser
A Day in the Country
Narrator (voice)
General Electric Theater
Manager
The Abbott and Costello Show
Stinky Davis
Caught on the Bounce
Joe
Aim, Fire, Scoot
Pvt. Joe Besser
Fraidy Cat
Joe Besser
The Desert Hawk
Prince Sinbad
The Gene Autry Show
Dizzy Yardbird
Pvt. Rodney Marblehead
Outside the Wall
The Cook (uncredited)
Joe Palooka Meets Humphrey
Carlton
Woman in Hiding
Salesman with Drum
Waiting in the Lurch
Eric Loudermilk Potts
Africa Screams
Harry
Feudin', Fussin' and A-Fightin'
Sharkey Dolan
Talk About a Lady
Roly Q. Entwhistle
Eadie Was a Lady
Professor Diogenes Dingle
Hey, Rookie
Pendleton "Pudge" Pfeiffer
Hot Steel
Siggie Landers
The Three Stooges
Joe