There’s something magical about Curly Howard, isn’t there? With his childlike charm, his unmistakable high-pitched voice, and those unforgettable catchphrases like “nyuk-nyuk-nyuk!” and “woob-woob-woob!” he captured the hearts of kids everywhere—including his own grandson. “Curly was definitely my favorite,” says Bradley Server, who was already a fan long before he realized they were related. Speaking to Closer, Bradley opens up about the man behind the mop top, sharing stories that reveal a side of Curly we might not have known.

At the heart of it all, family was everything for the Three Stooges. The comedy trio started out as Ted Healy and His Stooges, performing on the vaudeville circuit. But it wasn’t until 1934 that the act truly hit its stride, thanks to Columbia Pictures releasing over 90 short films featuring Moe Howard, his brother Curly, and Larry Fine. That’s when the Stooges became a household name, and Curly became a star in his own right.

Before stepping into the spotlight, Curly—born Jerome Horwitz in Brooklyn—was quite the Renaissance man. He excelled at basketball in high school, sang beautifully, and even dabbled in ballroom dancing. It wasn’t until 1932, when he stepped in for his older brother Shemp Howard, that Curly found his true calling. “He was extremely close to his brothers,” explains Bradley, whose grandmother was Curly’s second wife, Elaine Ackerman. This closeness wasn’t just professional—it ran deep in their personal lives too.

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What made Curly so special wasn’t just his wild hair or his iconic phrases—it was his natural comedic timing. “It was all about his boyish charm,” says Bradley. “He was just brilliant in his mannerisms. He brought stuff to the table that was beyond what anyone else was doing. You can see it in the films—he wasn’t just following a script. He was improvising, adding layers of humor that made him stand out.”

But here’s the thing: Curly’s sweet, goofy Stooge persona didn’t quite match his real-life personality. In public, he was a real ladies’ man, married four times, with a knack for enjoying life to the fullest. “My grandfather was very outgoing when he was in public,” Bradley recalls. “He loved to go out, have a drink, smoke a cigar, and be the life of the party.” Yet, there was another side to Curly—a softer, more tender side. “When he wasn’t on the road performing, you’d find him in his backyard with his dogs. He always had dogs around. He loved animals and doted on his children,” Bradley adds.

For Curly’s daughter, Marilyn Ellman, her dad was a kind but busy figure during his peak Hollywood years. “She remembers getting a lot of presents from him,” Bradley says. “He was very generous and a great dad, but he was on the road so much. They were extremely popular back then, so she didn’t get to see him a lot when she was growing up.”

Three Stooges on set — Hulton Archive/Getty Images

A Family Bond That Transcends Generations

Bradley’s connection to Curly didn’t come until he was five years old, when his grandmother revealed the truth. “It was a shock,” admits Bradley. But as it turns out, the family ties run deeper than just bloodlines. “We were both at the top of our choir,” he says, referring to himself and his brother. “My brother is also an extremely talented self-taught piano player. There’s something very special running through our veins. We inherited some of Curly’s gifts.”

Even though Bradley never met his grandfather—Curly passed away in 1952 at the age of 48 after a long illness—he’s made it his mission to stay connected to the Stooges’ legacy. “When I went to my first Stooges convention, I met my Aunt Joan, who is Moe’s daughter. I call her my aunt, but technically she’s my cousin,” Bradley shares. Over time, he’s built relationships with relatives of Larry and Shemp as well. “It all happened naturally,” he explains. “We’re like one big family now.”

Today, Bradley keeps Curly’s memory alive by hosting Stooge Talk Live every Thursday on YouTube. He also appeared in The Three Stooges in the Fast Lane, a 2023 series on the YouTube channel The Three Stooges+. “We feel like we’re giving back by promoting slapstick comedy,” Bradley says. “People absolutely adore what we’re doing. It’s a way to honor Curly’s legacy while keeping the laughter alive.”