Abbott and Costello

Abbott and Costello is the name of an American comedy duo made up of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello.

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American - Comedy duo - Bud Abbott - Lou Costello

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William "Bud" Abbott and Lou Costello first worked together in 1935 at the Eltinge burlesque theater on 42nd Street in New York. Costello (1906-1959) had become a comic after failing as a movie stunt double and extra. Abbott (1897-1974) had been in burlesque since 1916, first as a cashier, then a producer and finally a performer. They formally teamed up in 1936. Throughout the late 1930s, Abbott and Costello built their act by adapting and improving upon dozens of old burlesque sketches, including "Who's on First?"

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1935 - 1930s - Who's on First?

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In 1938 they received national exposure for the first time by performing on the radio show The Kate Smith Hour, which lead to a Broadway musical, "The Streets of Paris," the following year. In 1940 they were signed by Universal, for the film One Night in the Tropics. Although Abbott and Costello were only filling supporting roles, they stole the film with their classic routines. This led to a long-term contract with the studio, and their second film, "Buck Privates," 1941 secured their place as movie stars. They made over 30 films between 1940 and 1956, and were among the most popular and highest-paid entertainers in the world during World War II. They also hosted their own weekly radio program on NBC from 1942-46, and on ABC from 1946-49.

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1938 - Kate Smith - 1940 - Universal - 1941

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In 1951 the team made its TV debut as rotating hosts on the Colgate Comedy Hour. The following year they launched their own half-hour series, The Abbott and Costello Show 1952 to 1954). The half-hour series had a long life in syndication.

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1952 - 1954

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Abbott and Costello split up in 1957, after troubles with the Internal Revenue Service forced both men to sell off much of their assets and the rights to their films. Costello died in 1959 before his one solo film, Thirty-Foot Bride of Candy Rock, was released. In the late 1960s, Abbott lent his voice to a Hanna-Barbera cartoon series based on the team.

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1957 - Internal Revenue Service - Hanna-Barbera

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In 1994, comedian Jerry Seinfeld hosted the television special, Abbott and Costello meet Jerry Seinfeld which aired on NBC to over 20 million homes. Seinfeld has always stated that the Abbott and Costello TV series was the inspiration for his own popular series.

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1994 - Comedian - Jerry Seinfeld - NBC

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"The Abbott and Costello show" is also occasionally used when referring to the Australian government of John Howard due to the names of two prominent members of the ministry - federal health minister Tony Abbott and federal treasurer Peter Costello.

Related Topics:
John Howard - Tony Abbott - Peter Costello

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