Moe was born Moses Horwitz on June 19, 1897 in Bensonhurst, NY. He later went by the name Harry. During his youth, his hair was a sore spot as his mother kept him in shoulder length curls. It is reported that one day Moe took shears in hand and created his now-famous hair style. Moe started in show business in 1909 where he ran errands for some performers. As his reward, he was permitted to appear in some films. Moe & Shemp formed a singing quartet which lasted a short while. The 3 Stooges were born in 1922 when Moe & Shemp teamed with Ted Healy for a stage show. Moe married in 1925. His wife of 50 years, Helen, was a cousin to magic great, Harry Houdini. His new wife talked him into opening a small retail store, but the business life was not Moe's love, and he rejoined his group on the stage. Moe was the permanent leader of the group, and the Stooge's contract with Columbia would last for 24 years, a record contract for a comedy team. It is recorded that Moe was a most caring person who made a habit of working through various charity and needy organizations. Moe Howard, the original Stooge, died May 4, 1975.