Lou Costello paired up with comedian Bud Abbott to become one of the most popular and highly paid entertainers during the World War II. The duo is best known for their radio comedy routine ‘Who’s on First,’ first aired in 1938.
He started his career as an extra and appeared as a stunt man in ‘The Trail of ‘98’ (1928). He made his Broadway debut with Abbott in the musical ‘The Streets of Paris’ in 1939. They were signed with Universal Pictures and appeared in the movies ‘One Night in the Tropics’ (1940) and ‘The Naughty Nineties’ (1945).
The military musical comedy ‘Buck Privates’ (1941) was their highest grossing film at the box office. In 1942, they launched their own show called ‘The Abbott and Costello Show.’
He made 36 films between 1940 and 1956 that were popular to begin with. However, ill health and differences with Bud Abbott resulted in overexposure of the pair that ended their careers on a sour note.