Lou Costello: Much Tragedy in a Blessed Life

When I first read up on the life of Lou Costello, I was struck by the contrasts in his life.  What I mean is, while he enjoyed what many would describe as a blessed life in terms of fame and fortune, Costello experienced much tragedy and heartache in his life.

Lou Costello, who was born Louis Francis Cristillo, suffered from near fatal bouts of rheumatic fever.  Indeed, he was not able to work for much of 1943 due to an attack of the disease.  When he was finally able to return to work in November 1943, he suffered the most devastating blow any parent can experience.

On the same day that he returned to work on the popular Abbott & Costello radio show, he had barely just arrived at the NBC studios when he received word that his son, Lou, Jr. (nicknamed “Butch”), had tragically drowned in the family swimming pool.  The accident took Lou Jr.’s life just two days shy of his first birthday.

Giving new meaning to the saying “the show must go on,” Costello went on and performed Who’s On First? on that evening’s show, reportedly with tears streaming down his cheeks.

Costello never got over the death of his son and, according to some sources, blamed his wife.  Their marriage suffered irreparable harm, but they did not divorce (most likely due to their Catholicism).

Several years later, in 1956, both Abbott and Costello were forced to sell their homes and most of their assets (including film rights) after running into trouble with the IRS.  It was shortly after this that the comedy duo officially dissolved their partnership.

Two short years later, in March 1959, Lou Costello suffered a heart attack and died.  His heart had been severely weakened by the rheumatic fever.  He was only three days short of his 56th birthday.  Later that same year, Lou’s wife, Anne, died at the young age of 47. 

So much good fortune, so much sorrow.