Ernie Besser
1900 births | 1989 deaths
Ernie Besser (March 14, 1900 – July 1, 1989) was the wife of American comedian Joe Besser.
Born Ernestine Dora Kretschmer, she went by the name Erna Kay, and was eventually nicknamed "Ernie." She was a dancer by trade, and met Joe Besser in the early 1930s. They were married in 1932.
When her husband Joe's brief tenure with the Three Stooges ended when Columbia shut down the two-reel-comedy department on December 20, 1957, Moe Howard and Larry Fine discussed plans to tour with a live act. Joe declined, however, as Ernie had suffered a minor heart attack in November 1957, and he wanted to remain close to her.
Joe and Ernie Besser were married for 56 years. Joe passed away on August 1, 1988. Ernie followed less than a year later on July 1, 1989.
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Category: 1900 births Category: 1989 deaths
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