The last man to join the Three Stooges had roots in show business stretching back to before he was born. He was Joseph Wardell, who would be known professionally as Joe DeRita. DeRita was born in Philadelphia on July 12, 1909, to a stagehand father and a dancer mother, according to the Three Stooges' official website. His parents brought him onto the stage at just 7 years old, and he continued on the vaudeville circuit as a young man.
DeRita began transitioning into films in 1944 with an appearance in "The Doughgirls." He remained steadily employed throughout World War II, partnering with various famous names for ISO work and moving on to radio and television at the war's end. He also put in appearances in short subjects at Columbia, where the Three Stooges were based.
Curiously, DeRita didn't hold the Stooges in especially high regard. In "The Three Stooges Scrapbook," he is quoted saying, "They were physical, but they just didn't have any humor about them ...I was with the Stooges for 12 years, and it was a very pleasant association, but I just don't think they were funny." He compared the Stooges unfavorably to Laurel and Hardy and cited the predictability of their antics, given away by conspicuous props, as a reason for not liking their humor.
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