Lou Costello

Biography

Lou Costello built his career as an American comedian, actor, and producer, becoming famous as half of Abbott and Costello and for the routine Who's on First? Born in Paterson, New Jersey, he went to Hollywood in 1927 but worked mainly as an extra and stunt man before moving into burlesque. He teamed with Bud Abbott in 1936. Their work on The Kate Smith Hour earned national attention, and the team later moved into films with Universal, breaking through with Buck Privates in 1941. Costello appeared with Abbott in many comedies, including Hold That Ghost (1941), Pardon My Sarong (1942), The Time of Their Lives (1946), and Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948). The Abbott and Costello Show ran from 1952 to 1954. After the duo split in 1957, Costello made solo television appearances and played a dramatic part in an episode of Wagon Train in 1958.

52years old at death

Born March 6, 1906Paterson
Died March 3, 1959Los Angeles
Star sign: PiscesThe sign runs February 19 to March 20
Louis Francis Cristillo (birth name)Also credited as Lou Cristillo

Movie Career

Films: 29
Career span: 18 years1941 to 1959

Genres

Comedy100%, 29 films
Adventure17%, 5 films
Family17%, 5 films
Music17%, 5 films
Action10%, 3 films

First and latest

Did you know?!

First role
While stuck in St. Joseph, Missouri, Costello convinced a burlesque producer there to take him on as a "Dutch" comic, which came from Deutsch, the word for German in that setting.
First role
In 1927, Costello hitchhiked to Hollywood hoping to act, but at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Hal Roach Studios he found only laborer or extra jobs. His athletic ability led to occasional stunt man work, notably in The Trail of '98.

Lou Costello movies on Netflix

The 30 Foot Bride of Candy Rock1959IMDb rating 5.4as Artie Pinsetter
Dance with Me, Henry1956IMDb rating 5.6as Lou Henry
Abbott and Costello Meet the Keystone Kops1955IMDb rating 6.3as Willie 'Tubby' Piper
Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy1955IMDb rating 6.2as Freddie Franklin
Abbott and Costello Go to Mars1953IMDb rating 5.9as Orville
Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde1953IMDb rating 6.4as Tubby
Abbott and Costello Meet Captain Kidd1952IMDb rating 5.7as Captain 'Puddin' head' Feathergill
Lost in Alaska1952IMDb rating 6.2as George Bell
Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man1951IMDb rating 6.6as Lou Francis
Comin' Round the Mountain1951IMDb rating 6.3as Wilbert Smith
Abbott and Costello in the Foreign Legion1950IMDb rating 6.3as Lou Hotchkiss
Abbott and Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff1949IMDb rating 6.7as Freddie Phillips
Africa Screams1949IMDb rating 6.0as Stanley Livington
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello meet Frankenstein1948IMDb rating 7.3as Wilbur Gray
Mexican Hayride1948IMDb rating 6.2as Joe Bascom aka Humphrey Fish
The Noose Hangs High1948IMDb rating 6.6as Tommy Hinchcliffe
Buck Privates Come Home1947IMDb rating 6.8as Herbie Brown
The Wistful Widow of Wagon Gap1947IMDb rating 6.7as Chester Wooley
The Time of Their Lives1946IMDb rating 7.5as Horatio Prim
The Naughty Nineties1945IMDb rating 7.0as Sebastian Dinwiddle
Lost in a Harem1944IMDb rating 6.3as Harvey Garvey
Hit the Ice1943IMDb rating 6.7as Weejie McCoy
Pardon My Sarong1942IMDb rating 6.7as Wellington Pflug, aka Moola
Ride 'Em Cowboy1942IMDb rating 6.5as Willoughby
Rio Rita1942IMDb rating 6.1as 'Wishy'
Who Done It?1942IMDb rating 7.3as Mervin Q. Milgrim
Hold That Ghost1941IMDb rating 7.2as Ferdinand Jones
In the Navy1941IMDb rating 6.7as Pomeroy Watson
Keep 'Em Flying1941IMDb rating 6.5as Heathcliff

Best known for

The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.

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Bud Abbott and Lou Costello meet Frankenstein1948 Comedy, Family, Fantasyas Wilbur Gray
IMDb rating 7.321K votes
Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy1955 Action, Adventure, Comedyas Freddie Franklin
IMDb rating 6.27.0K votes
Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man1951as Lou Francis
IMDb rating 6.66.8K votes
Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde1953as Tubby
IMDb rating 6.45.6K votes
Hold That Ghost1941as Ferdinand Jones
IMDb rating 7.24.7K votes
Abbott and Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff1949as Freddie Phillips
IMDb rating 6.74.5K votes
Africa Screams1949as Stanley Livington
IMDb rating 6.04.3K votes
The Time of Their Lives1946as Horatio Prim
IMDb rating 7.54.2K votes

Most often with

Charles Barton directed nine of these films, Charles Lamont nine and Arthur Lubin four. Bud Abbott appears in 28 of them, more than any other actor. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.

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Bud Abbott

Bobby Barber

Joe KirkHarry Brown

Marc Lawrence

James Flavin

Charles BartonDirector, 9 films Charles LamontDirector, 9 films

Arthur LubinDirector, 4 films

Films together

Bud Abbott28 films together, 1941 to 1956
Bud Abbott's page
- Dance with Me, Henry1956IMDb rating 5.6Costello as Lou HenryAbbott as Bud Flick
- Abbott and Costello Meet the Keystone Kops1955IMDb rating 6.3Costello as Willie 'Tubby' PiperAbbott as Harry 'Slim' Pierce
- Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy1955IMDb rating 6.2Costello as Freddie FranklinAbbott as Pete Patterson
- Abbott and Costello Go to Mars1953IMDb rating 5.9Costello as OrvilleAbbott as Lester
- Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde1953IMDb rating 6.4Costello as TubbyAbbott as Slim
- Abbott and Costello Meet Captain Kidd1952IMDb rating 5.7Costello as Captain 'Puddin' head' FeathergillAbbott as Rocky Stonebridge
- Lost in Alaska1952IMDb rating 6.2Costello as George BellAbbott as Tom Watson
- Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man1951IMDb rating 6.6Costello as Lou FrancisAbbott as Bud Alexander
- Comin' Round the Mountain1951IMDb rating 6.3Costello as Wilbert SmithAbbott as Al Stewart
- Abbott and Costello in the Foreign Legion1950IMDb rating 6.3Costello as Lou HotchkissAbbott as Bud Jones
- Abbott and Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff1949IMDb rating 6.7Costello as Freddie PhillipsAbbott as Casey Edwards
- Africa Screams1949IMDb rating 6.0Costello as Stanley LivingtonAbbott as Buzz Johnson
- Bud Abbott and Lou Costello meet Frankenstein1948IMDb rating 7.3Costello as Wilbur GrayAbbott as Chick Young
- Mexican Hayride1948IMDb rating 6.2Costello as Joe Bascom aka Humphrey FishAbbott as Harry Lambert
- The Noose Hangs High1948IMDb rating 6.6Costello as Tommy HinchcliffeAbbott as Ted Higgins
- Buck Privates Come Home1947IMDb rating 6.8Costello as Herbie BrownAbbott as Slicker Smith
- The Wistful Widow of Wagon Gap1947IMDb rating 6.7Costello as Chester WooleyAbbott as Duke Egan
- The Time of Their Lives1946IMDb rating 7.5Costello as Horatio PrimAbbott as Cuthbert Greenway / Dr. Ralph Greenway
- The Naughty Nineties1945IMDb rating 7.0Costello as Sebastian DinwiddleAbbott as Dexter Broadhurst
- Lost in a Harem1944IMDb rating 6.3Costello as Harvey GarveyAbbott as Peter Johnson
- Hit the Ice1943IMDb rating 6.7Costello as Weejie McCoyAbbott as Flash Fulton
- Pardon My Sarong1942IMDb rating 6.7Costello as Wellington Pflug, aka MoolaAbbott as Algernon 'Algy' Shaw
- Ride 'Em Cowboy1942IMDb rating 6.5Costello as WilloughbyAbbott as Duke
- Rio Rita1942IMDb rating 6.1Costello as 'Wishy'Abbott as 'Doc'
- Who Done It?1942IMDb rating 7.3Costello as Mervin Q. MilgrimAbbott as Chick Larkin
- Hold That Ghost1941IMDb rating 7.2Costello as Ferdinand JonesAbbott as Chuck Murray
- In the Navy1941IMDb rating 6.7Costello as Pomeroy WatsonAbbott as Smokey Adams
- Keep 'Em Flying1941IMDb rating 6.5Costello as HeathcliffAbbott as Blackie Benson
Bobby Barber9 films together, 1941 to 1951
Bobby Barber's page
- Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man1951IMDb rating 6.6Costello as Lou FrancisBarber as Sneaky
- Abbott and Costello in the Foreign Legion1950IMDb rating 6.3Costello as Lou HotchkissBarber as Arab on Jeep's Hood
- Abbott and Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff1949IMDb rating 6.7Costello as Freddie PhillipsBarber as Dry Cleaning Man
- Africa Screams1949IMDb rating 6.0Costello as Stanley LivingtonBarber as Chauffeur
- Bud Abbott and Lou Costello meet Frankenstein1948IMDb rating 7.3Costello as Wilbur GrayBarber as Waiter
- Mexican Hayride1948IMDb rating 6.2Costello as Joe Bascom aka Humphrey FishBarber as Minor Role
- Hit the Ice1943IMDb rating 6.7Costello as Weejie McCoyBarber as Candy Butcher
- Hold That Ghost1941IMDb rating 7.2Costello as Ferdinand JonesBarber as Waiter
- In the Navy1941IMDb rating 6.7Costello as Pomeroy WatsonBarber as Sailor in Finale
Joe Kirk7 films together, 1942 to 1953
Joe Kirk's page
- Abbott and Costello Go to Mars1953IMDb rating 5.9Costello as OrvilleKirk as Dr. Orvilla
- Abbott and Costello Meet Captain Kidd1952IMDb rating 5.7Costello as Captain 'Puddin' head' FeathergillKirk as Flirtatious Pirate
- Lost in Alaska1952IMDb rating 6.2Costello as George BellKirk as Henchman
- Bud Abbott and Lou Costello meet Frankenstein1948IMDb rating 7.3Costello as Wilbur GrayKirk as Man at Costume Party in Fez
- Buck Privates Come Home1947IMDb rating 6.8Costello as Herbie BrownKirk as Real Estate Salesman
- The Naughty Nineties1945IMDb rating 7.0Costello as Sebastian DinwiddleKirk as Croupier
- Who Done It?1942IMDb rating 7.3Costello as Mervin Q. MilgrimKirk as Harry, 'Murder At Midnight' sound man
Harry Brown4 films together, 1946 to 1948
Harry Brown's page
- Bud Abbott and Lou Costello meet Frankenstein1948IMDb rating 7.3Costello as Wilbur GrayBrown as Photographer
- Mexican Hayride1948IMDb rating 6.2Costello as Joe Bascom aka Humphrey FishBrown as Businessman
- The Noose Hangs High1948IMDb rating 6.6Costello as Tommy HinchcliffeBrown as Upson
- The Time of Their Lives1946IMDb rating 7.5Costello as Horatio PrimBrown as Second Sergeant
Marc Lawrence3 films together, 1941 to 1950
Marc Lawrence's page
- Abbott and Costello in the Foreign Legion1950IMDb rating 6.3Costello as Lou HotchkissLawrence as Frankie--Loan Shark
- Hit the Ice1943IMDb rating 6.7Costello as Weejie McCoyLawrence as Phil
- Hold That Ghost1941IMDb rating 7.2Costello as Ferdinand JonesLawrence as Charlie Smith
James Flavin3 films together, 1948 to 1953
James Flavin's page
- Abbott and Costello Go to Mars1953IMDb rating 5.9Costello as OrvilleFlavin as First Policeman in Bank
- Abbott and Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff1949IMDb rating 6.7Costello as Freddie PhillipsFlavin as Insp. Wellman
- The Noose Hangs High1948IMDb rating 6.6Costello as Tommy HinchcliffeFlavin as Traffic Cop
Charles BartonDirector, 9 films, 1946 to 1956
All films by Charles Barton
- Dance with Me, Henry1956IMDb rating 5.6Costello as Lou Henry
- Abbott and Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff1949IMDb rating 6.7Costello as Freddie Phillips
- Africa Screams1949IMDb rating 6.0Costello as Stanley Livington
- Bud Abbott and Lou Costello meet Frankenstein1948IMDb rating 7.3Costello as Wilbur Gray
- Mexican Hayride1948IMDb rating 6.2Costello as Joe Bascom aka Humphrey Fish
- The Noose Hangs High1948IMDb rating 6.6Costello as Tommy Hinchcliffe
- Buck Privates Come Home1947IMDb rating 6.8Costello as Herbie Brown
- The Wistful Widow of Wagon Gap1947IMDb rating 6.7Costello as Chester Wooley
- The Time of Their Lives1946IMDb rating 7.5Costello as Horatio Prim
Charles LamontDirector, 9 films, 1943 to 1955
All films by Charles Lamont
- Abbott and Costello Meet the Keystone Kops1955IMDb rating 6.3Costello as Willie 'Tubby' Piper
- Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy1955IMDb rating 6.2Costello as Freddie Franklin
- Abbott and Costello Go to Mars1953IMDb rating 5.9Costello as Orville
- Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde1953IMDb rating 6.4Costello as Tubby
- Abbott and Costello Meet Captain Kidd1952IMDb rating 5.7Costello as Captain 'Puddin' head' Feathergill
- Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man1951IMDb rating 6.6Costello as Lou Francis
- Comin' Round the Mountain1951IMDb rating 6.3Costello as Wilbert Smith
- Abbott and Costello in the Foreign Legion1950IMDb rating 6.3Costello as Lou Hotchkiss
- Hit the Ice1943IMDb rating 6.7Costello as Weejie McCoy
Arthur LubinDirector, 4 films, 1941 to 1942
All films by Arthur Lubin
- Ride 'Em Cowboy1942IMDb rating 6.5Costello as Willoughby
- Hold That Ghost1941IMDb rating 7.2Costello as Ferdinand Jones
- In the Navy1941IMDb rating 6.7Costello as Pomeroy Watson
- Keep 'Em Flying1941IMDb rating 6.5Costello as Heathcliff
Also three films together8 more actors
- Marjorie BennettAbbott and Costello Meet the Keystone Kops (1955), Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1953) and Abbott and Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff (1949)
- Russell HicksThe Noose Hangs High (1948), Buck Privates Come Home (1947) and Hold That Ghost (1941)
- Douglass DumbrilleAbbott and Costello in the Foreign Legion (1950), Lost in a Harem (1944) and Ride 'Em Cowboy (1942)
- Joe SawyerComin' Round the Mountain (1951), The Naughty Nineties (1945) and Hit the Ice (1943)
- Dick ForanRide 'Em Cowboy (1942), In the Navy (1941) and Keep 'Em Flying (1941)
- Glenn StrangeComin' Round the Mountain (1951), Bud Abbott and Lou Costello meet Frankenstein (1948) and The Wistful Widow of Wagon Gap (1947)
- Rex LeaseLost in Alaska (1952), The Wistful Widow of Wagon Gap (1947) and The Time of Their Lives (1946)
- Shemp HowardAfrica Screams (1949), Hold That Ghost (1941) and In the Navy (1941)
When several people share the same number of films, the ones with the most films on Netflix are in the chart.

Box office

What Lou Costello's films earned in cinemas worldwide.

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Combined worldwide box office

$14.0 million

6 of the 29 films have a worldwide figure.

6Worldwide figure
23Figure not found

Top grosser

Bud Abbott and Lou Costello meet Frankenstein1948Wilbur Gray$4.8 million

Highest grossing

The six biggest films earned 100% of the total. The bars are drawn to scale.

1
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello meet Frankenstein1948as Wilbur Gray
$4.8M34.3% of the total
2
Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde1953as Tubby
$2.6M18.6% of the total
3
Buck Privates Come Home1947as Herbie Brown
$2.4M16.8% of the total
4
Africa Screams1949as Stanley Livington
$1.5M10.7% of the total
5
Lost in Alaska1952as George Bell
$1.5M10.7% of the total
6
Abbott and Costello Go to Mars1953as Orville
$1.2M8.9% of the total