They Opened Moe Howard’s Garage.. And What They Found Inside Will Leave You Speechless | HO!!!!

For nearly half a century, a simple garage in the Hollywood Hills stood as a silent mystery, its doors firmly locked and its secrets fiercely guarded. The property belonged to Moe Howard, the iconic leader of The Three Stooges, whose slapstick routines and sharp wit defined an era of American comedy.

Yet, after his death in 1975, the garage behind his home at 9061 Thrasher Avenue became more than just a place to park cars—it became a vault, sealed off from the world, its contents untouched and its purpose shrouded in speculation.

Now, for the first time, Moe Howard’s garage has been opened. What was found inside is sending shockwaves through Hollywood historians, collectors, and lifelong fans. This is the story of what lay behind those doors, why it was hidden for so long, and how its discovery is rewriting the legacy of one of comedy’s greatest figures.

The Mystery of the Sealed Garage

Moe Howard, born Moses Harry Horwitz in Brooklyn in 1897, spent decades making audiences laugh alongside Larry Fine and Curly Howard. As the central figure of The Three Stooges, Moe’s bowl-cut hair, quick temper, and impeccable timing made him a household name. But off-screen, he was a private man, living a modest life in the quiet hills of Los Angeles with his wife Helen.

When Moe died in May 1975, Helen made a decision that would puzzle generations: she sealed the garage at the back of their home. Some family accounts claim Moe himself asked for it to be closed, while others say Helen wanted to protect his belongings from prying eyes and potential thieves. Either way, the garage became a time capsule, its contents left unaltered even after Helen’s death just months later.

Over the years, the house changed owners, but the garage remained untouched. Rumors swirled about what might be inside—lost film reels, secret scripts, or perhaps nothing at all. The passage of time only deepened the intrigue, turning the garage into a legend among fans and collectors.

Moe Howard’s Hidden Life

To understand the significance of the garage, it’s important to know the man behind the door. Despite his fame, Moe Howard’s financial life was far from glamorous. During their years at Columbia Pictures, the Stooges were underpaid, earning about $7,500 per short film—split three ways. Annual incomes hovered around $20,000 each, a modest sum for stars whose work would later generate millions in reruns and merchandise.

Crucially, the Stooges received no residual payments. When their shorts played on television for generations, they saw none of the profits. Studios consistently downplayed the success of their films, discouraging Moe and his partners from negotiating better contracts. As a result, Moe relied on real estate investments and careful financial planning, living simply and prioritizing privacy over celebrity excess.

The garage, then, was not just storage—it was a sanctuary for the artifacts of a life lived both on and off the stage. Its sealing was an act of protection, a way to safeguard Moe’s legacy from exploitation and misunderstanding.

Opening the Vault: A Time Capsule Revealed

When the garage was finally opened, the air was thick with dust, undisturbed for decades. Light poured in, illuminating a space frozen in time. The first thing that caught the eye was not a pile of forgotten junk, but two gleaming relics of postwar American luxury: Moe’s personal Cadillacs.

The first was a 1952 Cadillac Series 62 sedan, a car synonymous with elegance and comfort. Beneath layers of dust, its chrome trim and wide bench seats spoke of a different era—one in which Moe valued dignity and grace over flashy displays. The second was a 1967 Cadillac Sedan DeVille, Moe’s everyday car in his later years.

Longer, lower, and more modern, it featured leather seats, wood accents, and power accessories. Both vehicles were astonishingly well-preserved, their interiors intact and engines showing little corrosion thanks to the climate-stable environment of the sealed garage.

But the true treasures lay beyond the cars.

Boxes of History: Artifacts, Letters, and Lost Memorabilia
Stacked neatly along the walls were rows of boxes, archival crates, and film prop containers. Each was deliberately placed, as if Moe had intended for them to be found by someone who would understand their value. Some boxes bore faded labels, while others remained unmarked, their contents a mystery.

Inside, curators discovered a trove of Hollywood history. Among the most remarkable items were:

Moe’s 1942 Columbia Pictures ID card: A rare artifact that once granted him studio access, now a prized collector’s item. It sold at auction for $11,858, underscoring its historical significance.

A handwritten story outline for “Punch Drunks”: Complete with pencil edits and margin notes, this document offered insight into Moe’s creative process and his role in shaping the Stooges’ iconic routines. It fetched $9,799 at auction.

Personal letters and signed checks: Including a framed check from 1971, drawn on a joint account with Helen, and Moe’s Screen Actors Guild membership card from 1974, both with his signature. These items provided an intimate glimpse into Moe’s private affairs and were highly sought after by collectors.

Vintage poster art and publicity materials: Original lobby cards and posters from classics like Uncivil Warriors (1935) and Calling All Curs (1939), stored flat and protected from sunlight. One poster was valued at $30,000, another sold for $6,500.

Home movie reels, photo albums, and handwritten dedications: Personal reflections on family, aging, and fame, including touching notes to Helen and their daughter Joan. These artifacts revealed Moe’s softer side, far removed from his on-screen persona.

Perhaps most moving were autograph displays, album pages signed by Moe and Curly, and vintage photographs. More than just signatures, they were fragments of Hollywood’s golden age, preserved through time and cherished by fans.

Why Was It Sealed? Theories, Motives, and Fan Reaction

The question remains: Why did Moe Howard’s family seal the garage so thoroughly? Opinions are divided. Some believe it was a deliberate act of legacy preservation, a way to protect Moe’s dignity and reputation in an industry that rarely rewarded its stars. Others suggest it was simply forgotten over time, a casualty of aging heirs and shifting priorities.

On fan forums and Reddit, the discovery has sparked passionate debate. Many express frustration over the studios’ mistreatment of the Stooges, noting that Moe’s modest life and careful preservation of his belongings reflect a man who valued his legacy more than material wealth. The garage, in this light, becomes a vault of dignity—a shrine to a performer who gave everything to his craft but received little in return.

Others see the garage as a time capsule, a forgotten crypt of a simpler era. For fans, it is not just a room full of memorabilia, but a sacred space—a physical connection to the man who shaped their childhoods and defined a genre.

Moe Howard’s Enduring Legacy

The opening of Moe Howard’s garage has reignited interest in the Three Stooges and their place in American culture. Museums like the Stoogium in Pennsylvania, with its 100,000 artifacts and rotating screenings of Stooges shorts, serve as a testament to the trio’s enduring appeal. The recent Howard family reunion in Los Angeles brought together descendants of Moe, Curly, and Shemp, celebrating a legacy that spans generations.

For fans, Moe Howard is more than a slapstick comedian. He is a symbol of resilience, humility, and the power of laughter to unite people across time and circumstance. The artifacts found in his garage offer a deeper, more nuanced portrait of the man behind the eye pokes and head slaps—a visionary who kept the Stooges alive through decades of adversity.

Conclusion: A Shrine to a Comedy Legend

The secrets of Moe Howard’s garage were not meant to be hidden forever. Their discovery is a reminder of the complexities behind fame, the importance of legacy, and the quiet dignity of a man who brought joy to millions while living modestly himself. For those who grew up with the Stooges, the garage is more than a collection—it is a shrine, a time capsule, and a tribute to the enduring spirit of Moe Howard.

What do you think about the remarkable items uncovered in Moe’s garage? Do they offer a deeper glimpse into his private world, or were they meant to remain hidden? Share your thoughts in the comments. The laughter may echo from the past, but the legacy of Moe Howard—and the mystery of his garage—will live on for generations.