Given the nature of Healy's death, doctors performed an autopsy and concluded that he died from nephritis: inflammation of the kidneys brought on by chronic alcohol abuse. Healy's friends contested the findings, however, and alleged that he had been beaten to death by mobster Pat DiCicco, future James Bond producer Albert "Cubby" Broccoli, and fellow 1930s screen star Wallace Beery. Shemp Howard, one of the original stooges (brother of Moe and Curly), claimed that Healy phoned him the night of his death and said that Beery, DiCicco, and a third man had attacked him. Moreover, Broccoli later admitted that he got into a physical altercation with Healy that night, though he maintained that he did not hurt the comedian.
"Healy died and it was common knowledge who beat him up. I always heard Wallace Beery and Pat DiCicco were the guys," stated Paul "Mousie" Garner, who worked with the Three Stooges, per The Chicago Tribune.
Rumors also suggest that Louis Mayer, who founded behemoth MGM Studios, even ordered a coverup of the crime. "Louis B. Mayer knew everything," according to Stooge historian Jeff Forrester. That said, allegations surrounding foul play in Healy's death are purely speculative and remain unproven.
Healy's death occurred just days after the birth of his son, adding yet another tragic detail to his passing.
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