Mousie Garner, also known as "The Grand Old Man Of Vaudeville", was a
legendary comedian-musician and a true national treasure. He was
literally the final performing headliner from the glory days of
vaudeville, and the last surviving member of comedian
Ted Healy's Stooges. Working right up to his
death, Mousie remained one of the hardest-working men in show business,
although he gave up being slapped, poked and punched on a daily basis
at age 65. Mousie, who celebrated his 75th anniversary as a
professional entertainer, was still performing before live audiences in
his 90s.
He made his stage debut as a child in 1913, singing, dancing and
imitating 'Al
Jolson' in a family musical-comedy
act developed by his father. While still a child, Mousie entertained
soldiers during World War I. By the time he was a teenager in the
1920s, he had already decided upon a career on the vaudeville stage.
Garner was part of Ted Healy's new stooges after the departure of
Moe Howard,
Larry Fine and
Curly Howard (in the 1970s Garner joined
Joe DeRita and Frank Mitchell in a short-lived act known as "The New Three Stooges";
Moe Howard allowed DeRita to form his own stooge act after Larry Fine
suffered a stroke). In addition to big-time vaudeville, Mousie also
appeared on Broadway and in major national touring companies; in short
subjects, feature films and documentaries; on network television, cable
and radio shows; and in nightclubs, auditoriums and concert halls.
Serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, Mousie was shipped
overseas and he achieved the rank of Technical Sergeant before
completing his hitch. He participated in the Allied forces' North
African campaign, and was injured twice on duty. He received several
commendations, including the Purple Heart. After his stint (and after
he recovered from his wartime injuries), Mousie joined the U.S.O. to
star in their touring company of
Ole Olsen and
Chic Johnson's show "Hellzapoppin'". The
show was staged for servicemen throughout Europe during the Allies'
postwar occupation. Mousie is represented twice on the Hollywood "Walk of
Fame" via his association with 'The Three Stooges' and musical parodists
Spike Jones and His City Slickers.
Mousie enjoyed stints as lead performer in both of these unforgettable
comedy ensembles. He appeared as a "guest of honor" at the
star-unveiling ceremony for
The Three Stooges in 1983. It should
be noted that he was also a successful television star, having
performed in such series as
Surfside 6 (1960).
He died in 2004, at age 95.
