Ready to chuckle? This isn’t just any park. This is the Lou Costello Memorial. It honors one half of the legendary comedy duo, Abbott and Costello.
Lou Costello, born Louis Francis Cristillo, came into this world in 1906. Paterson, New Jersey was his home town. He wasn’t always a comedian. As a kid, he sold newspapers and worked as a soda jerk. Young Lou admired Charlie Chaplin. He got into trouble in grammar school. His teacher made him write “I’m a bad boy” one hundred times. Costello later used this line in his act.
He excelled in sports in high school. Baseball, basketball and football were his games. After graduation, he worked as a clerk. By 1927, he had enough money to move to Hollywood. There, he worked for Warner Brothers Studio. He started in a labor gang. Then, he became a stunt man. A bad fall led him to quit. Costello moved back east to New York.
In New York, Costello began his comedy career. He quickly became popular on the burlesque circuit. In the early 1930s, he performed with Bud Abbott. By 1936, they officially teamed up. Abbott and Costello became one of the greatest comedy duos. In 1938, singer Kate Smith invited them on her radio show. That launched them into national fame.
The 1940s brought them to the silver screen. Their first film, “One Night in the Tropics,” came out in 1940. “Buck Privates” followed in 1941. It was a huge success. They made many more films. “Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein” in 1948 is considered their best.
In the 1950s, their film popularity waned. They moved to television. From 1950 to 1955, they hosted “The Colgate Comedy Hour”. They starred in “The Abbott and Costello Show” on CBS from 1952 to 1954. In 1956, they split up.
Costello passed away in 1959. He was only 52 years old. He suffered a heart attack. He is buried in Los Angeles.
The Lou Costello Memorial Park was created in the early 1990s. It was a partnership with the Lou Costello Memorial Association. The park features a life-size bronze statue. It is called “Lou’s on First.” The statue shows Costello holding a baseball bat. This references their famous “Who’s on First?” skit.
The park fell into disrepair. In 2020, the city announced plans to redesign it. The gazebo was replaced with a stage. New lights were installed. Trees were planted. A new playground was built. The playground includes a section for children with autism.
The park has a lot of history. A plaque was unveiled to honor Abbott and Costello. The ceremony marked 30 years since the statue was unveiled. So, remember Lou Costello. Remember the laughter. This memorial ensures his legacy lives on.