Photo Credit: Victoria Marshall

One hundred-and-ten years following his birth, Lou Costello is still being celebrated and honored. It's very cool that he's being immortalized through his films and comedic performances. However, I think it's even cooler that he picked an amazing wife (my great-great-grandmother) with whom he raised three beautiful children. Two survive him, and are the most inspiring and intelligent people I have ever met. My Great-Aunt Chris is kind enough to run this wonderful newsletter and Facebook page in his honor, while my Great-Grandma Paddy is kind enough to tell stories and read books to children in his honor. Lou Costello would not only be humbled  to know how many people still watch and love he and Bud's movies today, but also to know what amazing women his daughters are.

I think he's a lucky man to have had a job he loved, and a family that could not possibly love him any more than they do. What a giant responsibility, to not only make your family happy, but make the world smile as well. We, the fans, were bestowed an incredible gift. There are many of you reading this and from all over the world. On my Great-Aunt Chris's Facebook page, you can talk to just about anyone from any corner of the globe and have two things in common ~ Abbott and Costello. How wonderful their legacy is to allow us the gift of worldwide friendship.

Here's my birthday wish to my great-great-grandpa Lou --- put on your favorite Abbott & Costello movie, grab your family and enjoy what Lou Costello was kind enough to share with us. That is our birthday gift to him - a world full of love and laughter.

Happy Birthday Great-Great-Grandpa Lou. I wish I could have met you, but know the best parts of you are still with your daughters.

Victoria Marshall

Check out Victoria's blog:
27autobio.blogspot.com 

During the month of March, fans will be able to view a special photo exhibit at the Paterson Museum for the 110th anniversary of Lou Costello's birth. The museum is looking forward to welcoming all of Lou's fans, who will be able to view rarely seen and never-before-seen photos of Paterson's native son.

The museum is located in the historic district of Paterson, and near the Great Falls National Historic Park.

As a native son, I felt that there should be a continual celebration to honor Lou Costello's 110th birthday. He never forgot Paterson or the people here, and we should never forget him. There are so many young people who need to be introduced to the comedy of Abbott & Costello, even though their popularity reigned in the 1940's and 1950's ~ their comedy is timeless!

I approached Jack DeStefano at the museum to see if there was interest in doing this special photo exhibit, and there was. With the help of the Costello family and so many of Lou's fans, I proceeded to locate many photos that I felt would be of interest to the public. I printed 8x10's, matted, framed, and captioned each one. I also wrote a short narrative on Lou's life.

When the exhibit ends, I'll be donating the collection of photos to the museum. This was an undertaking of love, and for a man who always gave back. He never lost ties to his Paterson roots, and continues to give us the greatest gift, which is laughter.

Marcia Dente

Happy Birthday to the best Dad, Grandpa, Great-Grandpa and Great-Great-Grandpa ever!

Know that we all love and miss you. I know you would get a kick out of knowing how much these kids love watching your films. As little ones, they love how you make them laugh when you do all the funny physical stuff. When they get older, they'll appreciate it on a whole different level. Bottom line, when we need a good laugh or a 'pick me up' we pop in a 'grandpa' movie.

Thanks for all the wonderful times Carole, Chris and I had on the set when you took us to the studio.  One of my favorite memories was Carole and I celebrating your 40th birthday with you on the set of Time Of Their Lives.

Thanks for the memories, Dad. Happy Birthday, you're the best! 

I read somewhere that Lou didn't think he could be taken seriously following the split with Bud Abbott. We as fans know that he could have had a huge career as a character actor, had time been on his side.

Mark Tyler 

Naples, Florida

Answer:

Whether he had any fears of not being taken seriously, it would have never stopped him from trying to reach new plateaus. Remember that he had climbed the top of Mt Everest with Abbott & Costello. He was looking forward to meeting new challenges, and discovering new projects that could elevate him to the next level in his career. I remember him saying to me that he was interested in a story of a priest in a small village in Italy. He was also approached to portray Fiorello in the Broadway show of the same name, and had even shown interest in the character of Sancho Panza from the book "Man of La Mancha."  I feel that dad would have reached new heights had he lived long enough. When he appeared in the "Wagon Train" episode (The Tobias Jones Story), he nailed it! It showed his ability to handle a dramatic role. As scared as he may have been that he would not be well received by those that knew him only as the other half of Abbott & Costello, he would have continued on in pursuing new challenges. He wasn't one to keep still. He was always looking for ways in which to meet new goals.

Paddy (Costello) Humphreys 

 

 

I heard this story about Lou Costello which is heartwarming. When visiting, he used to drive around Paterson and throw out of his car window (anonymously), baseball gloves, baseballs and basketballs to the underprivileged kids. One of the many great deeds I've heard about Lou.

Jimmy Howes
DJ on WGHT Radio
Oldies station in North Jersey


My father, Tom Mazza, and Uncle Dominic Mazza were Marines in the 1950's. My uncle was stationed at Camp Pendleton and was a taylor. He made dresses for one of Lou's daughters. My dad was in the Korean War, but my uncle stayed in California and visited Lou's home many times. They became friends, and Lou was kind enough to give my uncle a script from one of his movies. Visits to Lou's home, as recalled by both my dad and uncle, always put smiles on their faces. Both recalled that Bud and Lou were totally different from their onscreen characters ~ great men who had big hearts!

Mary Ann Mazza Montelbano
Garfield, New Jersey


65 years ago when I was just a kid, Lou paid for a bunch of us kids to go to Yankee Stadium to see a ball game. That was the day they dedicated the monument to Babe Ruth in center field. He loved the kids, and he never forgot his roots in Paterson, N.J. He has always been my HERO!

Bob Iannacone
Galloway, New Jersey


My dad and uncle lived on Lewis Street and knew Lou Costello. My uncle was an Olympic champ in 1948 and visited Lou in California. I remember seeing a photo of them both riding a train in Lou's backyard. I also have a photo of my dad and Lou, probably at the YMCA where my uncle was training. Lou Costello was a great guy and never forgot where he came from.

Tony Dipietro


Berta's Chateau in Wanaque, N.J. is one of those restaurants where several generations of one family has owned it, and generations of families dine there. The restaurant opened in 1927, and although the name may suggest French, the cooking is Northern Italian. One diner who frequented Berta's when he was trying to break into show business, and continued to dine there when he became famous, was Lou Costello. They never forgot this loyal customer, and prominently display a large inscribed portrait of Lou

Laurie Squire
Martinsville, New Jersey


My dad was a shoe shine boy in Paterson when he was very young. My father always talked about him shining Lou Costello's shoes. He said he was a gracious man, and always gave him a big tip! This was so impressive to a young Italian boy.

Christine Rotella-Delaat
Toms River, New Jersey

Thank you to all the many fans who have shared their personal recollections and memories of those that knew him. The Costello family sincerely appreciates the stories shared. 

Chris with her dad on the set of Abbott & Costello in the Foreign Legion.

If love follows us to heaven, which I feel it does, my birthday wish to you, Dad, is that you feel the outpouring of love that is being sent to you by your family, and your many fans around the world.

My time with you was brief, but the memories you gave to me will last a lifetime. With that, I thank you!

I wish Carole, our sister, were here to join us in our birthday wishes to you, but know she is where you are. She's helping celebrate your birthday with Mom, brother Butch, and so many of your family and friends who have passed on.

Carole never had the opportunity to meet her gandkids (Lucas, Finn, Chloe, Emily, Schyler, Jaden and Risin Lou). They all are amazing human beings, all very talented with a deep appreciation and love for you, their great-grandfather.

You would be proud of ALL your grandkids, greats and great-greats, Dad.

Happy Birthday, and know how loved you are! 

 

TIME OF THEIR LIVES

Hosted by SVENGOOLIE

10 pm EST / 9 Central
(check your local guide for accurate times) 

Facebook member Bob Socci alerted us to the upcoming 2016 THREE STOOGES CON this April in Trevose, PA.

Bob will be in the dealer's room with Stooges memorabilia, even some Abbott & Costello material. If attending, drop on by to say hello to Bob.

Radisson Philadelphia Northeast Hotel
2400 Old Lincoln Hwy
Trevose, PA

April 1, 2, 3

For ticket information:

www.threestooges.com/convention