Louis Francis Cristillo (March 6, 1906 – March 3, 1959)
He was known by the stage name Lou Costello, and best remembered for the comedy double act of Abbott and Costello, with Bud Abbott. Costello played a chubby, bumbling character. He was known for the catchphrases "Heeeeyyy, Abbott!" and "I'm a baaaaad boy!" They had their own radio show from 1941 to 1949, and later a television show, "The Abbott and Costello Show" (1952). The comedians, who teamed up in burlesque in 1936, were among the most popular and highest-paid entertainers in the world during World War II. During a national tour in 1942 they sold $85 million in war bonds in 35 days. In March 1943, after completing a winter tour of army bases, Costello had an attack of rheumatic fever and was unable to work for six months. On November 4th of that year, he returned to the team's popular radio show, but while rehearsing at their NBC studio, Costello received word that his infant son, Lou Jr., had accidentally drowned in the family pool. The baby worked loose one of the slats on his crib, climbed out and fell into the pool, unnoticed by the nanny. Rather than cancel the broadcast, Lou said, "Wherever he is tonight, I want him to hear me", and went on with the show. After some trouble with the Internal Revenue Service over their taxes, the team split up in 1957. Lou Costello died from a heart attack at age 52, and interred at Calvary Cemetery in East Los Angeles, CA.
