Abbott and Costello

Abbott and Costello (kostel'ō) [key], American comedy team of William Alexander “Bud” Abbott, 1895–1974, b. Asbury Park, N.J., and Lou Costello, 1906–59, b. Paterson, N.J., as Louis Francis Cristillo. From 1931 to 1957 the tall, elegant Abbott played “straight man” to the short, roly-poly Costello in various stage, film, radio, and television routines. Extremely popular in the 1940s, they were well known for their series of successful movies including Buck Privates (1941) and Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948). The duo was also famous for their “Who's on first?” skit.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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