The explosive fireplug half of the enormously popular, lowbrow comedy team of Abbott and Costello (he played the good-natured fall-guy with a plaintive voice and aggressive manner, while Abbott was the fast-talking wiseguy). After some years as a prizefighter and stuntman, Costello entered vaudeville, where he teamed up with Abbott in 1930. They played burlesque with their fast-moving, somewhat "blue" act, till a cleaned-up version landed them a regular spot on Kate Smith's radio show and a Broadway revue, "Streets of Paris" (1939).Universal Pictures came calling, seeing in the team a modern
Worked in a haberdashery, a slaughterhouse and the prize ring before he met William 'Bud' Abbott while working as a $40-a-week comic in burlesque; Abbott a last-second substitute one night for Costello's indisposed straight man
1931
Joined with Bud Abbott in Brooklyn
1938
First radio performance (as Abbott and Costello) on the Kate Smith program
1939
Broadway acting debut in revue, "Streets of Paris", alonside Carmen Miranda
1940
Film debut with Abbott in comic supporting roles, "One Night in the Tropics"
