One-time ‘Stooge’ Paul Garner dies

Robert Chacon

Paul “Mousie” Garner, the “Grand Old Man of Vaudeville,” who began

his stage, film and television career in the 1920s as a jazz musician

in Washington, D.C., and continued for decades, including a stint on

stage as one of the Three Stooges, died Sunday.

He was 95.

Garner, who got his nickname because of a character he portrayed

on stage, died at Verdugo Hills Hospital. The cause of death was not

released.

For years, Garner was a stand-in for Shemp Howard in the live

theater performances after joining the Three Stooges in 1930. He hit

the road in 1974 to perform a touring, musical comedy act as one of

the Stooges, and at the same time he performed as the resident

comedian on television’s “The Bobby Vinton Show.”

Garner worked with Bob Hope in vaudeville and was a frequent guest

on NBC’s “Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theater.”

Garner also appeared in films like “For Those Who Think Young” in

1964, “Last of the Red Hot Lovers” in 1972 and “Stoogemania” in 1986.

Garner had lived in Glendale for a year, and celebrated his 95th

birthday July 31 at Jax Bar and Grill on Brand Boulevard.