Paul 'Mousie' Garner

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.