Emil Sitka(1914-1998)
- Actor
- Stunts
Orphaned at twelve, Sitka caught the acting bug while living with a
priest in Pittsburgh. He rode the rails as a hobo for years during the
Depression before arriving in Hollywood in 1936. Theatre work,
including directing, eventually brought him to the attention of a
talent scout, who contracted him to Columbia Studios. Famous for his
character roles in slapstick comedy (he claims to have appeared in 450
movies), he became a regular in shorts and feature films with the Three
Stooges, making thirty-five shorts with the boys before 1958. He holds
the further distinction of appearing with each of the six Stooges (Moe,
Shemp, and Curly Howard; Larry Fine; Joe Besser; and Joe DeRita).
Sitka's most famous role, as a justice of the peace who begins every
service with the words, "Hold hands, you love birds", brought him
lasting fame among Stooge fans, who would sometimes ask him to repeat
the phrase during their own wedding ceremonies.
