{"id":3030,"date":"2026-07-20T11:08:27","date_gmt":"2026-07-20T15:08:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/patersonhistory.com\/?page_id=3030"},"modified":"2026-07-20T11:17:22","modified_gmt":"2026-07-20T15:17:22","slug":"lou-costello","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/patersonhistory.com\/index.php\/lou-costello\/","title":{"rendered":"Lou Costello"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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6<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Lou Costello (1906\u20131959)<\/h2>\n

Lou Costello<\/span><\/span>, born Louis Francis Cristillo<\/strong> on March 6, 1906<\/strong>, in Paterson, New Jersey<\/strong>, was one of America’s greatest comedians and the beloved comic half of the legendary duo Abbott and Costello<\/strong>. His expressive face, impeccable timing, and childlike innocence made him one of the most recognizable entertainers of the Golden Age of Hollywood.<\/p>\n

Early Life<\/h3>\n

Costello was the son of Sebastiano Cristillo<\/strong>, an immigrant from Calabria, Italy, and Helen Rege Cristillo<\/strong>, whose ancestry included Italian, French, and Irish roots. He grew up in Paterson, where he attended local schools and developed a love for sports and comedy, especially the films of Charlie Chaplin. Rather than finishing high school, he headed to Hollywood in 1927 hoping to become an actor. Initially he found work as a laborer, extra, and stuntman before returning east to pursue a career in vaudeville.<\/p>\n

Partnership with Bud Abbott<\/h3>\n

In 1931, Costello teamed with Bud Abbott<\/span><\/span> after Abbott filled in for another performer. Their chemistry was immediate: Abbott played the fast-talking straight man while Costello portrayed the lovable, bewildered everyman.<\/p>\n

The duo became national stars through:<\/p>\n