This is your Life - Lou Costello

Starring Bud Abbott, Carole Costello, Chris Costello, Lou Costello , Paddy Costello-Humphreys, Ralph Edwards, and Edward Sherman...
Lou Costello was surprised and honored by Ralph Edwards on NBC's This Is Your Life in 1956. Louis Francis "Lou" Costello (March 6, 1906 -- March 3, 1959) was an American actor and comedian best known as half of the comedy team of Abbott and Costello, with Bud Abbott. Costello was famous for his bumbling, chubby, clean-cut image that has appealed to many over the decades, and for his shouted line of "HEEEEYYY ABBOTT!!"
Lou Costello was born Louis Francis Cristillo in Paterson, New Jersey to an Italian father from Calabria, and a mother of French and Irish ancestry. He attended School 15 in Paterson, NJ and was considered a gifted athlete. He excelled in basketball and reportedly was once the New Jersey state foul shot champion. (His singular basketball prowess can be seen on film, in Here Come The Co-Eds (1945), in which Lou performs all his own tricky hoop shots without special effects). He also fought as a boxer under the name "Lou King". He took his professional name from actress Helene Costello. "There was a girl named Helene Costello, and I took her name".
Abbott and Costello made 36 films between 1940 and 1956, and were among the most popular and highest-paid entertainers in the world during World War II. Among their most popular films are Buck Privates, Hold That Ghost, Who Done It?, Pardon My Sarong, The Time of Their Lives, Buck Privates Come Home, Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein, and Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man.
The team also appeared on radio throughout the 1940s. On October 8, 1942 the team launched their own weekly show on NBC sponsored by Camel cigarettes. They moved to ABC (the former NBC Blue Network) from 1947-49.
In 1951, the duo became one of the rotating hosts of The Colgate Comedy Hour (Eddie Cantor and Bob Hope were among the others) and then, the following year, inaugurated their own situation comedy, The Abbott and Costello Show. Costello owned the half-hour series, with Abbott working on salary. The show, which was loosely adapted from their radio program, ran for two seasons, from 1952 to 1954, but found a new life as syndicated reruns. They were forced to withdraw from Fireman Save My Child in 1954 due to Costello's health and were replaced by lookalikes Hugh O'Brien and Buddy Hackett, and were subsequently dropped by Universal the following year.
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• THE LAST MAN ON EARTH
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[@jamest681]

Rest in peace in Heaven Lou. You touched so many people for the better and still continue too.

[@cocolewis1787]

I was born and raised in Paterson, New Jersey. My parents knew Mr. Costello and told stories of h is kindness and generosity.

[@marylawson6060]

Bless his heart doing so much for others. He had me and my family laughing so hard. So sad losing his son. Lou was a good hearted person. RIP

[@Tornado1994]

Lou and Anne. They were truly devoted to each other. Only 5 and half years apart. Anne was a Burlesque Dancer and got into a minor car accident in 1935 that caused temporary paralysis. She gave up her Career after that to become a stay at-home wife and mother. Lou truly loved her. He would string her and the kids when he and Abbott were on tour. He was also CLOSE friends with Shemp Howard and Joe Besser. Shemp and Joe often babysitted his 3 children. The Afternoon of Friday November 4,1943 seemed like an ordinary Friday in Hollywood. He and Bud had a live Radio Show scheduled for broadcast on KNBC, with special Guest Lana Turner, Voice Legend Mel Blanc was also there that day as he had a scheduled voice over for advertising Cereal, as well as Jimmy Durante(Close friends with Abbott and Costello and the Three Stooges) and YOUNG, Youthful Kid Mickey Rooney. Lou had played with his 11 month old only son Lou Jr, nicknamed "Baby Butch" or "Jr", he and Anne had planned on taking him to a KNBC Recording for his upcoming 1st Birthday set for December, around 1:24 PM PST, Lou kissed Anne as he had to drive to Rehearsal for the show, Anne had some errands to run to the local Market, so she called over their Nanny to watch the children. Jr's Playpen was located out in the Backyard close to the door as the Nanny sat for a while and read magazines, just as she stepped inside to feed the Costello Daughters lunch at 2 PM, Jr somehow got the latch on the PlayPen loose and walked over to the pool, he is believed to have went over while curiously reaching over. Around 2:22, Anne returned home and inquired to the Nanny Jr's whereabouts, as both Women returned to the Backyard, they noticed the PlayPen open and Jr nowhere to be seen, and begin to IMMEDIATELY Panic. Fearing that he had been abducted, the Nanny ran to a Payphone down the street and called 911, while Anne begin searching, her heart SUNK in horror, she saw her son Jr's body laying at the bottom of the 3 Foot Side. She immediately screamed bloody murder and bellowed for help. "Help!Help!Help!My Baby's Accidentally Fallen in the Pool!Somebody Help!". Neighbors heard and immediately pulled him out while The Nanny returned with LAPD, Paramedics were summoned. Anne suffered a nervous breakdown in front of her daughters and pleaded with the Paramedics to save her baby. They attempted Mouth to Mouth(CPR wasn't practiced yet) and tried reviving him for over an hour but to no avail. When Jr was pronounced dead, Anne collapsed in total grief,shock,anguish, and sobbed uncontrollably and the Nanny attempted to comfort and console her. Anne told the neighbors to call her husband and inform him of the horrible news. Lou Costello was on a five minute Cigar smoke break when the phone call came at 3:27, it was the worst phone call he had ever received. He fell to the floor, in shock,disbelief and in pain. He was in daze, trying to collect himself, he told everyone that he had a "Family Emergency" and would be back in a few hours for the live show. Lou drove home fighting back tears "I kept telling myself that this was a hoax. That it was a sad practical joke. My only son Lou Jr couldn't be dead. It couldn't be real. It can't be happening. This is not happening. I refused to believe it. To any Parent, losing a Child is an Open Nightmare, its like your worse Nightmare. I told myself, its just a hoax. You just played with Butch a few hours earlier. You're going to perform for him tonight. He'll heard his Old Man's voice on the radio for the first time. I kept saying, Buck up. He's okay. Jr's fine. He'll be in the Crib at home. When I got home, there were neighbors, when I got inside, I saw my Maiden Anne, holding our daughters Patti and Carol, they were weeping, Anne ran to me and hugged me, sobbing on my shoulder. The light in her life had gone out at that moment. I then ran out to the Backyard and saw Butch's PlayPen unlatched and unintended, I then ran to the side of the pool and fell to my knees. Paramedics tried to console me, I then went into shock and broke down. I kept saying No. No.No.No. Don't tell me. Please don't tell me my boy, my only Son Jr is gone. Please No. Please God No. This can't be happening. This Cannot Be Happening! This isn't real!". Later that Evening, Lou drove back to KNBC, when word had gotten out about the tragedy, Bud,Durante,Blanc,Rooney and even Shemp offered their condolences. Lou told them "The show must go on". Durante Attempted to talk him out of it. "Don't do it Lou. I know your hurting. I lost my beloved Jeanne earlier this year. But I stopped to bury her and didn't hold in my grief. Let me pitch hit for ya, go be with your Old Lady and your Princesses. They really need you." Lou sucked it up, and held together to stay in character, but towards the end, he finally couldn't hold it anymore and broke down and wept running off stage. The puzzled audience was finally told by Bud what happened, they left KNBC in tears and in shock. Bud consoled and comforted Lou after the show, Lou hugged and cried telling him. "Bud, I Failed. I've Failed as a Husband and a Father. I should have been home this afternoon watching and playing with Jr. I could have kept him from escaping his Playpen. I shouldn't have rehearsed today. My Baby Boy would still be here had I taken a raincheck".

[@kensellers4082]

I thought that Lou Costello’s brother-in-law, Joe Kirk, would have been on the show. Joe Kirk was an actor, who appeared in several of the A & C films and he also portrayed the irrepressible and highly irascible Mr. Bacciagalupe (sp?) on the great “Abbott & Costello Show.”

[@jamest681]

My prayers go out to Lou and Anne Costello and Lou "Butch" Jr. Such a nice family. Lou had a heart a mile long. In a post Lindbergh baby kidnapping world, I can't believe the baby was left alone outside by the swimming pool. Anyone could have gotten onto the property and taken the baby. If the nanny was going to go inside to feed the other kids she should have taken the baby with her inside. The sole responsibility of the death of this child is with the nanny whose job it was to watch the children. She was getting paid to do so. Minimal reasonable care would have prevented the senseless death of this child. How long was this baby unattended outside by the swimming pool? If she had a wedding ring would she have taken it off and left it on a table outside while making lunch for the kids. Lou and Anne had to carry the grief and guilt of the lose of their son the rest of their lives because of the irresponsibility of this nanny. @@Tornado1994

[@MartinSage]

Lou will always be remembered as a generous and big hearted man who changed the life of so many kids for the better. God bless you Lou.😀😊

[@VIDEOHEREBOB]

Talk about talent! I still watch those 1/2 hour shows over and over again. Priceless!

[@kimwestwood8840]

What a kind and generous man Lou was. I was a great fan when I was a kid, and I thank God for people like him who make the world a better place.

[@sonrouge]

You know, even though these guys did break apart later, this does show that Bud really did love the guy.

[@garywright7826]

Lou was a very giving person ! Bud & Lou were a great comedy duo ! They always kept me laughing !

[@VicMartino]

This episode is my favorite episode of This Is Your Life. I've always enjoyed Abbott and Costello and when I first saw this I truly enjoyed the viewing. Thanks for the posting.

[@Every-picture-tells-a-story]

Hey Babet, I’m idiot 😂

[@howiecricket52]

Abbott And Costello are so funny! A fabulous comedy team!

[@dhindsjr]

I always heard Lou was a great guy, but damn!! ❤️😊😊

[@weatherchaser1166]

This was in 56. Sadly he passed away only a few years later

[@MusicandMonsters]

This is beautiful. Thank you for sharing this!

[@pz3j]

Lou Costello. Now there was a class act.

[@paulrodriguez8852]

Yeah! Lou Costello was a very talented funny man. This show also shows his humanity and caring for people. It's sad that the IRS, like they did to other celebrities Red Fox, Sophia Loren as examples. Made his and Bud Abbott's lives miserable by claiming they didn't pay enough taxes.

[@BLAM777]

Real decent people unlike what's in hollywood today. Sad to see people like this gone.

[@alynsyms9666]

I love this guy. I grew up watching him and Bud Abbott and still enjoy watching their movies and TV show with Mr. Fields, Mike the cop, Hillary Brooke and Joe Besser as Stinky, who was funny as hell in that part. He also paid for Dean Martin's nose job besides all the wonderful things he did which he didn't do for publicity but because he had a good heart and knew what struggle was all about. This show is watching the legacy of a good man.

[@MooseCall]

Such a sweet guy.

[@ECO473]

I will always hate the IRS for what they did to Bud & Lou...and so many others.

[@KaBoomChannel]

KZbin is incredible, this is stuff I would never see in a million years if it weren't for this website

[@robertszvetics210]

HEYYYYYYYYYYYY ABBOTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

[@chris-rg4hy]

a real human!!!

[@Artisan1979]

He needed this. How that ridiculous 70s film could get Lou so wrong it's beyond me.

[@Dragnmastralex]

Bud and Lou had a falling out in 1945 but patched it up by 1950... Dean and Jerry had a falling out and it took them 40 years to patch things up. the two differences show you how things could go so badly.

[@AnnieKCleary]

Hence Lou’s joke “I’m glad neither of us can sing” 🤣

[@greylanders6101]

What a class act Lou was. They do not make comedians like this anymore.

[@clffliese26]

Call me old fashioned, but I long for the days when a comedian didn't think they had to drop F-bombs every other word to be funny. Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy don't think that way, but they are two of the very few.

[@oneandonly3037]

Tough to have to relive the death of their son. I wonder if this would have been done today.

[@shazamflash3326]

I thought the same. I think they should not have brought that up out of respect when there were so many other things to talk about that were not so painful to have brought up in front of a national audience. I never liked This is Your Life. Ambushing celebrities and getting all up in their private business for ratings and for entertainment purposes.

[@kensellers4082]

Yes, that had to be absolutely excruciating for Mr. and Mrs. Costello to relive that awful day. Ralph Edwards should have avoided mentioning such a painful event from the Costello’s’ past.

[@npc77107]

Absolutely bad job by that show to do that!!

[@liecrusher3506]

Different times. People were tougher then. Buy I still would be hard pressed to bring that up in such a venue.

[@suspiciousminds1750]

"Neither you or I can sing" I assume a reference to Martin & Lewis.

[@KMK72]

This is so sad watching this. Lou was a very generous person and died way to young.

[@tedmichaels1951]

I remember this particular show and I had watched it with my mother. Abbott and Costello were my favorites!

[@theironclads]

November 21, 1956.

[@greylanders6101]

Louis Francis Cristillo.

[@charliechan1966]

very moving..reliving the death of his kid was terrible to watch.god bless him,and abbott for the laughs.

[@billyshepard5514]

Bud and Lou broke up soon after this. In a performance in Las Vegas Bud had been drinking and they went on stage. Lou was furious Bud would go on stage drunk. Lou broke up the team and they never saw each other again.

[@KaBoomChannel]

I remember Lou died a month after Buddy Holly

[@tj-ez2jq]

HEARTBREAKING...

[@Tornado1994]

She did. They were truly devoted to each other. Only 5 and half years apart. Anne was a Burlesque Dancer and got into a minor car accident in 1935 that caused temporary paralysis. She gave up her Career after that to become a stay at-home wife and mother. Lou truly loved her. He would string her and the kids when he and Abbott were on tour. He was also CLOSE friends with Shemp Howard and Joe Besser. Shemp and Joe often babysitted his 3 children. The Afternoon of Friday November 4,1943 seemed like an ordinary Friday in Hollywood. He and Bud had a live Radio Show scheduled for broadcast on KNBC, with special Guest Lana Turner, Voice Legend Mel Blanc was also there that day as he had a scheduled voice over for advertising Cereal, as well as Jimmy Durante(Close friends with Abbott and Costello and the Three Stooges) and YOUNG, Youthful Kid Mickey Rooney. Lou had played with his 11 month old only son Lou Jr, nicknamed "Baby Butch" or "Jr", he and Anne had planned on taking him to a KNBC Recording for his upcoming 1st Birthday set for December, around 1:24 PM PST, Lou kissed Anne as he had to drive to Rehearsal for the show, Anne had some errands to run to the local Market, so she called over their Nanny to watch the children. Jr's Playpen was located out in the Backyard close to the door as the Nanny sat for a while and read magazines, just as she stepped inside to feed the Costello Daughters lunch at 2 PM, Jr somehow got the latch on the PlayPen loose and walked over to the pool, he is believed to have went over while curiously reaching over. Around 2:22, Anne returned home and inquired to the Nanny Jr's whereabouts, as both Women returned to the Backyard, they noticed the PlayPen open and Jr nowhere to be seen, and begin to IMMEDIATELY Panic. Fearing that he had been abducted, the Nanny ran to a Payphone down the street and called 911, while Anne begin searching, her heart SUNK in horror, she saw her son Jr's body laying at the bottom of the 3 Foot Side. She immediately screamed bloody murder and bellowed for help. "Help!Help!Help!My Baby's Accidentally Fallen in the Pool!Somebody Help!". Neighbors heard and immediately pulled him out while The Nanny returned with LAPD, Paramedics were summoned. Anne suffered a nervous breakdown in front of her daughters and pleaded with the Paramedics to save her baby. They attempted Mouth to Mouth(CPR wasn't practiced yet) and tried reviving him for over an hour but to no avail. When Jr was pronounced dead, Anne collapsed in total grief,shock,anguish, and sobbed uncontrollably and the Nanny attempted to comfort and console her. Anne told the neighbors to call her husband and inform him of the horrible news. Lou Costello was on a five minute Cigar smoke break when the phone call came at 3:27, it was the worst phone call he had ever received. He fell to the floor, in shock,disbelief and in pain. He was in daze, trying to collect himself, he told everyone that he had a "Family Emergency" and would be back in a few hours for the live show. Lou drove home fighting back tears "I kept telling myself that this was a hoax. That it was a sad practical joke. My only son Lou Jr couldn't be dead. It couldn't be real. It can't be happening. This is not happening. I refused to believe it. To any Parent, losing a Child is an Open Nightmare, its like your worse Nightmare. I told myself, its just a hoax. You just played with Butch a few hours earlier. You're going to perform for him tonight. He'll heard his Old Man's voice on the radio for the first time. I kept saying, Buck up. He's okay. Jr's fine. He'll be in the Crib at home. When I got home, there were neighbors, when I got inside, I saw my Maiden Anne, holding our daughters Patti and Carol, they were weeping, Anne ran to me and hugged me, sobbing on my shoulder. The light in her life had gone out at that moment. I then ran out to the Backyard and saw Butch's PlayPen unlatched and unintended, I then ran to the side of the pool and fell to my knees. Paramedics tried to console me, I then went into shock and broke down. I kept saying No. No.No.No . Don't tell me. Please don't tell me my boy, my only Son Jr is gone. Please No. Please God No. This can't be happening. This Cannot Be Happening! This isn't real!". Later that Evening, Lou drove back to KNBC, when word had gotten out about the tragedy, Bud,Durante,Blanc,Rooney and even Shemp offered their condolences. Lou told them "The show must go on". Durante Attempted to talk him out of it. "Don't do it Lou. I know your hurting. I lost my beloved Jeanne earlier this year. But I stopped to bury her and didn't hold in my grief. Let me pitch hit for ya, go be with your Old Lady and your Princesses. They really need you." Lou sucked it up, and held together to stay in character, but towards the end, he finally couldn't hold it anymore and broke down and wept running off stage. The puzzled audience was finally told by Bud what happened, they left KNBC in tears and in shock. Bud consoled and comforted Lou after the show, Lou hugged and cried telling him. "Bud, I Failed. I've Failed as a Husband and a Father. I should have been home this afternoon watching and playing with Jr. I could have kept him from escaping his Playpen. I shouldn't have rehearsed today. My Baby Boy would still be here had I taken a raincheck".

[@tj-ez2jq]

@@Tornado1994 Thank you so much for taking time to write this very precious information. I have read it over and over again, and will always keep it with me.

[@Tornado1994]

@@tj-ez2jq Lou was a very kind man. And He loved Anne very much. That Friday was a DARK day for him. The Couple NEVER recovered from it.

[@tj-ez2jq]

@@Tornado1994 "Lord Jesus, when I start to complain about trivial things that happen to me in this life, then please bring to my rememberance what Lou and Anne went through."

[@kensellers4082]

Some of my relatives in Paterson, NJ lived on the same street as the Costello (Cristilo) family and knew Mr. Costello and his family. They told me that Lou Costello was a wonderful man. My Uncle Tom, when he was a young soldier in Special Services, and about to be shipped out to the Pacific, mer Mr. Costello in an Army camp in California during World War II. When my uncle mentioned our relatives in Paterson, Mr. Costello was very gracious. Today, there’s a great statue in honor of Mr. Costello in Paterson, which you can see in an episode of “The Sopranos” with the late James Gandolfini and the late Frank Vincent. 11:52 Requiem aeternam to two New Jersey boys, Mr. Bud Abbott of Asbury Park and Mr. Lou Costello of Paterson.

[@thewonderfulworldofderek6087]

Uinveral studios Hollywood Documenty biography New year's oascr awesome awards

[@brianlfc0210]

Somewhat different to UK version 🤣

[@daniellack3559]

The Boys had pretty much stopped working together by this time (1956), in fact the movie Lou is promoting "Dance with me Henry", was a solo effort, Bud didn't appear at all...very sad ending for both, as the IRS hounded them for years until their deaths for back taxes owed....

[@mikenavis2745]

Bud Abbott was most definitely in Dance with me Henry. I think your thinking about The 30 Foot Bride of Candy Rock.

[@clffliese26]

@@mikenavis2745 I've, only, seen 30 Foot Bride once, many years ago, possibly 30 years ago, but I remember it was hysterically funny.

[@strothermartin5368]

They should not have bought up his son dying.

[@lendrury2771]

I read that Costello was very difficult to deal with and he was condescending and mean to people. And his alcoholism only made it worse . Fifth of whiskey per day for years

[@rossmartenak5517]

First of all, so called 'Lou Costello" wasn't his real name. There was nothing wrong with his actual birth name, Louis Francis Cristillo. He obviously "sold out" his birth name because of the shallowness of the entertainment industry?! Most likely the change was made as the result of a greedy Business Manager, with perceived notions of greater recognition accompanied with monetary gains? In reality, it's also shows blatant disrespect for one's parents & their family heritage, just to possibly obtain (not earn) a greater buck?!

[@contacthigh1]

Success is most important to an entertainer. Getting a good show business name is important for that. I like my name and would not want to change it. I don't read all kinds of negativity into a name change. It's not easy being successful in show business. Keeping a family name might work out so it is the performer's choice. OK?

[@rossmartenak5517]

@@contacthigh1 So money is more important than family pride?

[@contacthigh1]

@@rossmartenak5517 To some people it is. Why should I judge. Hey my mom changed my last name and I changed it back. But show business could be a little different. Any little thing could can trip you up and you are gone. Especially back then. If you think about family pride, anybody loses a lot when they move to another country. Most people forgot the language their parents or grandparents had when they immigrated even today. I still enjoy the culture I came from and I guess you do too.

[@loupasternak]

Yer talking like a kook. Almost everyone in those days changed to a stage name. Why pick on poor Lou. Go suck on one of Stinky's lollipops