Editing Larry Fine (section)

== South Philadelphia Childhood ==

Louis Feinberg was born on October 5, 1902, in Philadelphia, growing up in the South Philadelphia neighborhood that was then home to the city's Jewish immigrant community. His father's watch repair business provided working-class stability while the neighborhood's density and diversity exposed him to the variety of characters that his comedy would later caricature. A childhood accident with acid, which damaged his arm, led to violin lessons prescribed by doctors to strengthen the damaged limb—the instrument that would later become part of his comedy persona.<ref name="solomon">{{cite book |last=Solomon |first=Jon |title=The Complete Three Stooges |year=2002 |publisher=Comedy III Productions |location=Los Angeles}}</ref>

His musical talent, developed through childhood lessons, led to performing in Philadelphia venues while still a teenager. The vaudeville circuit, which provided employment for performers of varying abilities, gave Fine opportunities that led to his connection with the Howard brothers who would become his lifelong partners. His Philadelphia Jewish community, with its traditions of humor as survival mechanism and performance as livelihood, shaped sensibilities that his comedy would express.<ref name="fleming"/>

The transition from Louis Feinberg to Larry Fine, which vaudeville's stage name conventions encouraged, marked his transformation from Philadelphia neighborhood kid to professional performer. His early years of touring, performing in circuits that brought him throughout the country, provided experience that prepared him for the film work that would bring international fame. Philadelphia's influence on his character—the working-class authenticity, the ethnic community's values, the survivor's adaptability—remained visible throughout his career.<ref name="solomon"/>