Moses Harry Horwitz ( June 19 , 1897 - May 4 , 1975 ) , known professionally as Moe Howard , was an American actor and comedian best known as the de facto leader of The Three Stooges , the farce comedy team who starred in motion pictures and television for four decades .
Moe Howard ( June 19 , 1897 -- May 4 , 1975 ) was an American actor and comedian .