Abbott and Costello Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Abbott and Costello
Abbott (left) and Costello (right) circa 1940s.
Born	New Jersey, U.S.
Medium	burlesque, vaudeville, film, radio, television
Nationality	American
Genres	Word play, physical comedy, surreal humour

Abbott and Costello were a very famous American comedy team. They were made up of two comedians, Bud Abbott and Lou Costello. Their funny acts on radio, in films, and on television made them super popular in the 1940s and early 1950s.

Their most well-known comedy routine is called "Who's on First?". It's one of the funniest and most famous comedy acts ever. This routine helped them create many of their other popular comedy bits.

Who Were Abbott and Costello?
Images for kids
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Who Were Abbott and Costello?

Bud Abbott and Lou Costello were a comedy duo from the United States. A comedy duo means two people who work together to make people laugh. Bud Abbott was usually the serious, straight-laced one. He would often get frustrated by Lou Costello's silly and confused character. Lou Costello was the funny, childlike, and often bewildered part of the team. Their different personalities made their comedy even funnier.

How They Started

Bud Abbott and Lou Costello first met and started performing in the 1930s. They began their careers in places like burlesque and vaudeville. These were types of live stage shows that had a mix of comedy, music, and other acts. It was a popular way for performers to get noticed before radio, movies, and TV became common.

They quickly became known for their quick jokes and funny misunderstandings. Their unique style of comedy helped them stand out from other performers. They worked hard to perfect their routines, which later became famous around the world.

Their Famous Comedy Style

Abbott and Costello were masters of several types of comedy. They used a lot of wordplay, which means using words in clever or confusing ways for laughs. They also used a lot of physical comedy, like funny movements and reactions. Their acts often involved one character misunderstanding the other, leading to hilarious situations.

Their comedy was often about everyday situations that went completely wrong. They would build up a simple conversation into a huge, funny mess. This style made their humor easy for everyone to understand and enjoy.

"Who's on First?" Explained

"Who's on First?" is their most famous routine. It's a hilarious conversation about a baseball team where the players' names are confusing words. For example, the first baseman's name is "Who," the second baseman's name is "What," and the third baseman's name is "I Don't Know."

The routine involves Bud Abbott trying to explain the team's names to Lou Costello. Lou gets completely confused because he thinks Bud is asking questions, not saying names. This leads to a fast-paced, silly argument that gets funnier and funnier. It shows off their amazing timing and how well they worked together.

From Radio to Movies and TV

After becoming popular on stage, Abbott and Costello moved to radio. Their voices and funny routines were perfect for radio shows. People all over the country would tune in to hear their comedy.

Their success on radio led them to Hollywood and films. They starred in many popular movies, often playing characters similar to their stage personas. These films were huge hits and made them even more famous. Later, they also had their own television show. This allowed even more people to see their physical comedy and funny expressions.

Their Legacy

Abbott and Costello are remembered as one of the greatest comedy teams in history. They influenced many comedians and actors who came after them. Their routines, especially "Who's on First?", are still studied and enjoyed today. They showed how simple misunderstandings and clever wordplay could create timeless laughter. Their work continues to bring joy to new generations of fans.

Images for kids

With Carmen Miranda, The Streets of Paris, in 1939.
Abbott and Costello on radio (note Abbott without toupee normally worn in films)
Abbott and Costello on NBC's This Is Your Life November 21, 1956
Abbott and Costello performing "Who's on First?"
Caricature of the pair from NBC-TV's Colgate Comedy Hour.
Abbott and Costello commemorative stamp