# Lou Costello

> American actor and comedian (1906–1959)

**Wikidata**: [Q23884](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q23884)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lou_Costello)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/lou-costello

## Summary
Lou Costello was an American actor and comedian best known as half of the iconic Abbott and Costello duo, celebrated for their "Who's on First?" routine. A defining figure in 20th-century comedy, he excelled in film, television, and stage performances, leaving a lasting legacy in American entertainment.

## Biography
- **Born**: March 6, 1906  
- **Nationality**: American  
- **Known for**: Partner in the Abbott and Costello comedy duo  
- **Employer(s)**: Abbott and Costello (comedy duo)  
- **Field(s)**: Film, television, stage acting, and comedy  

## Contributions
- **"Who's on First?" Routine**: Co-created the legendary wordplay sketch with Bud Abbott, first performed in the 1930s and popularized in their 1945 film *The Naughty Nineties*.  
- **Film Career**: Starred in over 30 films, including *Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein* (1948) and *Africa Screams* (1949).  
- **Television and Stage**: Transitioned to television in the 1950s with *The Abbott and Costello Show* (1952–1954) and performed in vaudeville and Broadway productions.  
- **Awards**: Inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame (2008) and honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.  

## FAQs
**Who was Lou Costello's comedy partner?**  
Lou Costello partnered with William "Bud" Abbott, forming the renowned Abbott and Costello duo in 1935. Their contrasting straight-man (Abbott) and clown (Costello) dynamic defined their act.  

**What is Lou Costello's most famous work?**  
His "Who's on First?" routine, a masterclass in comedic timing and wordplay, remains one of the most celebrated sketches in comedy history.  

**What awards did Lou Costello receive?**  
He was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame (2008) and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, recognizing his contributions to entertainment.  

**When did Lou Costello die?**  
He died on March 3, 1959, at age 52, due to a heart attack.  

## Why They Matter
Lou Costello revolutionized American comedy through his partnership with Bud Abbott, blending slapstick and verbal humor to create timeless routines like "Who's on First?" Their films and television shows influenced generations of comedians, solidifying their status as pioneers of the genre. Costello’s charismatic on-screen persona and impeccable timing helped shape the trajectory of 20th-century entertainment, ensuring the duo’s work remains widely referenced and beloved.

## Notable For
- **Iconic Comedy Routine**: "Who's on First?" (1930s–1945)  
- **Film Legacy**: Starred in over 30 films, including *Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein* (1948)  
- **Awards**: New Jersey Hall of Fame (2008), Hollywood Walk of Fame star  
- **Cross-Media Success**: Transitioned from vaudeville to film, television, and stage  
- **Cultural Impact**: Pioneered the "double act" format in American comedy  

## Body
### Early Life  
Born Louis Francis Cristillo on March 6, 1906, in Paterson, New Jersey, to Italian immigrant parents, Costello began his career in show business as a teenager. He adopted the stage name "Lou Costello" early in his professional life.  

### Career  
- **Vaudeville Beginnings**: Started performing in vaudeville in the 1920s, honing his comedic skills.  
- **Partnership with Bud Abbott**: Teamed up with straight-man comedian Bud Abbott in 1935, forming one of the most successful comedy duos in history.  
- **Film Breakthrough**: The duo’s first major film, *One Night in the Tropics* (1940), led to a contract with Universal Pictures and a string of hit films throughout the 1940s.  
- **Television Transition**: Hosted *The Abbott and Costello Show* from 1952 to 1954, adapting their routines for the small screen.  

### Key Works  
- **"Who's on First?"**: Premiered in their 1938 Broadway show *The Streets of Paris* and immortalized in the 1945 film *The Naughty Nineties*.  
- **Filmography**: Notable films include *Buck Privates* (1941), *Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy* (1955), and *Africa Screams* (1949).  
- **Live Performances**: Toured extensively in stage shows, including a 1953 Las Vegas engagement that highlighted their enduring popularity.  

### Legacy  
- **Comedic Influence**: Abbott and Costello’s routines inspired comedians such as Jerry Seinfeld and Jim Carrey, who cited their precision and chemistry as benchmarks.  
- **Cultural Endurance**: "Who's on First?" remains a cultural touchstone, featured in educational materials and parodied in modern media.  
- **Awards and Recognition**: Posthumous inductions into the New Jersey Hall of Fame (2008) and a Hollywood Walk of Fame star underscore their lasting impact.  

### Personal Life  
Costello died on March 3, 1959, at the age of 52, leaving behind a legacy as a master of comedic timing and a cornerstone of American entertainment history. His partnership with Bud Abbott remains an archetype for comedic duos, ensuring their work continues to entertain audiences globally.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/08/nyregion/in-person-he-said-uncle-and-made-it-pay.html)
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. BnF authorities
4. Find a Grave
5. [Source](https://njhalloffame.org/hall-of-famers/2009-inductees/bud-abbott-lou-costello/)
6. [Source](https://walkoffame.com/lou-costello/)
7. International Standard Name Identifier
8. MusicBrainz
9. SNAC
10. Internet Broadway Database
11. Discogs
12. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana
13. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
14. www.acmi.net.au
15. IdRef
16. BabelNet
17. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
18. Cinemathèque québécoise Linked Open Data