1. A comedian who plays the object of another's jokes, ridicule, or slapstick. I don't mind playing the stooge, so long as the audience laughs. But I am a little sick of all these pies in my face!

2. Someone who is manipulated or paid to do the bidding of a higher power or authority. Primarily heard in US, South Africa. The inspector was suspected of being nothing but a stooge of the company after he submitted positive reports that ignored serious safety issues.

3. A criminal who is paid as a police informant. The term is a portmanteau of "stool pigeon," which originates from a hunting decoy involving a fake pigeon fastened to a stool in order to lure other birds for hunters. Primarily heard in US, South Africa. I'd say he was probably killed by the gang. It had become well known that he was a stooge for the police for the last few years.