Guide Note

Bud Abbott and Lou Costello are one of the best-known comedy teams in history. The “straightman/clown” relationship was the hallmark of their partnership. Originally a burlesque act, their partnership successfully transitioned into radio, Broadway, television and film.

Fast Facts

1. William (Bud) Alexander Abbott was born on October 2, 1897 in Asbury Park, New Jersey and died on April 24, 1974 in Woodland Hills, California
2. Bud Abbott married Betty Smith in 1918 and they later adopted two children: William Bud and Victoria¹
3. Lou Costello (birth name: Louis Francis Cristillo) was born on March 6, 1906 in Paterson, New Jersey and died on March 3, 1959 in Sherman Oaks, California
4. Lou Costello married Anne Battler in 1934 and they had four children: Carole, Patricia, Lou, Jr. and Chris¹
5. 1991: The United States Postal Service included Abbott & Costello as part of their Comedy Legends commemorative stamp booklet²

1. 1936: Abbott & Costello first teamed together²
2. 1936: First performed the famous Who's on First? routine in a Brooklyn burlesque house³
3. 1939: The team went under contract with Universal Studios
4. 1940: Made their film debut in One Night in the Tropics
5. 1941-1946: The Abbott & Costello Show aired on ABC radio³
6. 1946-1949: The Abbott & Costello Show aired on NBC radio³
7. 1951: On January 7, Abbott & Costello appeared as guest hosts on NBC's hour-long live variety show, The Colgate Comedy Hour
8. 1952-1953: The Abbott & Costello Show appeared on CBS for two seasons
9. 1956: On the Steve Allen Show, Allen announced the induction of Abbott & Costello's Gold Record of Who's On First into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York²
10. 1956: Their final film as a team, Dance with Me, Henry!, was released
11. 1957: Officially dissolved their partnership
12. 1994: At 10:00 p.m. on Thanksgiving evening, Abbott & Costello Meet Jerry Seinfeld aired on NBC to an audience of over 20 million and received a #2 rating from TV Guide²