Arts in Performance & Physical Culture

12/26/2025

12/26/2025

12/26/2025

FYI

12/26/2025

12/24/2025

Today we remember Lou Costello (1906–1959), born Louis Francis Cristillo, the legendary actor and comedian best known as one half of the iconic comedy duo Abbott and Costello. Costello’s career began humbly at MGM and Warner Brothers Studios, working as a carpenter and stuntman before finding his calling in comedy. His breakthrough came in 1931 when Bud Abbott filled in as his straightman during a theater performance, sparking a partnership that would redefine American humor.

Together, Abbott and Costello gained national fame through radio, film, and television. Their unforgettable routines, including the legendary “Who’s on First”, earned them a place in the National Baseball Hall of Fame, one of the only non-sports figures to be so honored. Their film successes included Buck Privates (1941), Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948), and Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy (1955), blending comedy with classic horror and captivating audiences across the country.

After some tax troubles led to the duo’s split in 1957, Costello continued performing in films and television until his untimely death from a heart attack in 1959. His legacy endures through his timeless comedy, indelible routines, and lasting influence on generations of performers.

East Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, USA.