After Besser joined in, for the first time in their career, the Stooges did not go to any personal appearance during their lay-off season started from 1956. There was a long-time belief, based on an existing ad, that the Stooges once performed live, with Besser as the third stooge, at the Paramount Theatre, Los Angeles, sometimes around 1957. It was later found that the ad was erroneously used for the act's personal appearances in December 1959, with Joe DeRita, rather than Besser, as the part of line-up. In fact, Besser never made any personal appearances as a member of the Three Stooges.