Becoming Moe, Larry and Curly

The stars of The Three Stooges: The Movie aren’t doing impersonations. They are supposed to be Moe, Larry and Curly onscreen. While A-list names were considered, this trio fits the nitwit bill. USA TODAY’S Susan Wloszczyna introduces these grads of the St

Chris Diamantopoulos, 36

Plays: Moe Where you know him: The presidential chief of staff on TV’S 24, and the sitcom Up All Night

How he got the job: “The moment he came in through the door, we knew we had found our Moe,” says filmmaker Peter Farrelly. “The studio was like, ‘Chris who?’ In fact, he has a rather impressive résumé, but it was all Broadway. But we were determined he was the guy.”

Becoming Moe: The actor bought body padding, borrowed a suit, found a wig, glued on eyebrows and went to the audition in Santa Monica, Calif. “There were 60 guys in jeans and T-shirts, and I thought, ‘What the heck am I doing?’ ”

Connection to his character: “When Moe got hit, there is nothing funnier. You just didn’t expect him to get hit.”

Big scene: Gets to deliver an eye-poke to Snooki of Jersey Shore.

Sean Hayes, 41

Plays: Larry Where you know him: Co-star on Will & Grace; lead in Broadway’s Promises, Promises; co-executive producer of the sitcom Hot in Cleveland and the drama series Grimm

How he got the job: “He read and he was excellent,” Peter Farrelly says. “We are big fans of Will & Grace, and we knew he had the comedic chops. He wasn’t perfect. But within a week, he was exactly as he is now.”

Becoming Larry: To shave or not to shave was a big hairy deal. “I fought to put on a bald cap, but was convinced otherwise. It traps the heat in your head.” He nailed the nasal Philly accent with coaching from ace voice actor Billy West.

Connection to his character: “His trademark is his hair, but it’s also his voice, a mix of open mouth and lazy mouth. I always have the stink face on.”

Big scene: Lobster in the trousers.

Will Sasso, 36

Plays: Curly Where you know him: The skit show MADTV How he got the job: Says Bobby Farrelly: “Will is a big boy at 6-foot-3 and 300 pounds. And Curly and all the Stooges were on the shorter side. But Will is so gentle and childlike, you never think for a second that someone is going to get hurt.” Adds Peter: “He has all the Curly mannerisms.”

Becoming Curly: “I do have to wear several fat pads to pull off Curly,” Sasso deadpans. “That’s not true. This is my chub.”

Connection to his character: “I’m told I look like Curly all the time. The Farrellys talked to me years ago. They said they heard I did Curly on MADTV. Which is not true. But I said you don’t want me to have done Curly on TV. This is a movie.”

Big scene: Gets dolled up as a nurse.