So sad that he and his wife would both leave this mortal coil in just three years from this broadcast. He was a solid man and a great comic and gave millions of people laughter and that is hard to do especially when you have seen much hardship and sadness such as he had. God Bless Lou and all,of his family
Great words with true sadness that ached hearts all around the world.Unbelievably was it just 3 years!! Thank you Jackie and may God bless you and all your family too, with love and prayers from carl in England UK 🙂❤️🙏🌎
Yes. I was thinking the same thing. I lost my father when I was 12. My thoughts immediately went to his Youngest daughter, when I saw her come out on stage. It is always hard to lose a parent, but especially in childhood. I was grateful that this show was made when we still had him and he could appreciate it. Even though there were terribly painful parts to him. I am also grateful that he and Abbott reconciled Their friendship
I remember when I was 7 years old and had a terrible ear ache. I came home early from school because I was in such pain. And I remember the Abbott and Costello show came on at 2:30in the afternoon and thanks to his comic genius I began to laugh and forgot about my ear ache for a while. That is the impact he had on children. I will never forget it.
I'm such a baby. I started crying at 7 mins and sobbed after the story of his son until the show ended. I wish we still had these type shows. Well, I wish we had this caliber of actors/comedians today too.
Lou did a talk-sing routine to "Three Cheers For The Red, White and Captain Brown" in the movie "Buck Privates". It occurs just before the Andrews Sisters sang "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy".
@@scottstacey7447 I understand that Lou took out an ad in Variety, telling Martin and Lewis to "put aside your ego's, as Bud and I have for 10 years, you owe it to your fans to stay together". Funny, about a year later he and Abbott ended their partnership. Sadly Lou passed about a year after that.
I’ve always loved Abbott and Costello, but never knew about the unbearable tragedy of his son’s death, let alone all the wonderful things he did to help so many others, a truly remarkable man.
A genuinely sweet human being, he was someone who kept his life and his charities in private. Lou Costello was a genius, and it's so wonderful to see him as himself. Yes, like so many Ralph Edwards surprised (in many cases "shocked"), he was uncomfortable, but he accepted it gentlemanly as an honor. I was only 4 when he died and I remember how I cried as I was watching a rerun of "The Abbott & Costello Show" on my grandmother's old Admiral TV. At least he was reunited with Butch in Heaven.
He was obviously touched by this presentation. I loved Lou Costello. He & Bud Abbott brought me so much joy as a child. I still crack up each time I watch them now. Thanks for posting this. It made me cry; it was heart-warming.
This is one of the best episodes of the series. I never knew how great of a humanitarian Lou Costello was. He appeared to be a very good person who died way too young.
You know why he didn't like Abbot he introduced him to a CPA who managed his money and the guy never paid tax's. Then when the IRS found out after Lou raised millions and millions for war bonds the IRS took every cent he had and would not work with him. It turns out Abbot new the guy was crooked but didn't tell Lou. Rest in peace Lou.
@@dragonflydreamer7658 universal studios hollywood club in movie theater in new unit universal studios hollywood movies on Netflix with oasr awesome picture awards TCM channel on the best part of the day away magic of universal studios hollywood movies
@@dragonflydreamer7658 Um -- Abbott was audited by the IRS, too, and he had to pay a huge amount of back taxes just like Costello did. Do your homework before you post such nonsense.
I’m in my late 40’s and I grew up watching them, I would go to my grandparents house and every Sunday morning my Nana would make me Oatmeal and toast and put Abbot and Costello on the Television for me to watch. I fell in love with their comedy and there has never been anyone else as close to them in my opinion. I am now a Nana myself and God has blessed us with three beautiful grandchildren and our granddaughter watches Shirley Temple, Abbot and Costello and she loves the Andrew sister’s and Whiteys lindy hop. Hollywood lost its class when they let their morals go and their private lives be public.
To say I loved Lou Costello is an understatement. I grew up with his comedy on both televison & in the movies. The tv show had a great cast. Lou knocked himself out and had, like everyone else, some terrible sadness ibn his life and passed away much too soon.
I am a father who lost a daughter when she was only 7 weeks old. She died of S.I.D.S. So as a father I can understand what Lou might have been feeling when they mentioned his precious little boy.
I've watched so many of these shows and rarely cry; maybe it's because he's from Jersey like me but his obvious ethics and kind heart are wonderful. What a wonderful man. ❤️🙏
What a truly humble and loving man. I had never heard of all the hardships he went through, especially the death of his son. He has done so much for so many people with his kind heart. Just a marvelous show. RIP Lou.😇
I liked him from boyhood on Michele. He passed away two years prior to my birth. It was painful to watch him when he knew that part of the episode was coming. He obviously chose to work through his grief by helping other children.
This man was absolute class act. Did you see his face light up when he met those kids from his recreation hall organization? Loses his child and turns around a helps other kids And he didn't need notes to know what to say or how to act like you know who. the man was a genuine hero.
Just an incredible showing of what an amazing, selfless, talented and compassionate man he was. I grew up watching him and remember the joy and laughter he brought to my family. Little did I know the tragedy that happened in his life....but also the incredible generosity he had for children and humankind. We need WAY more role models like Lou in the present day...
You can say that again! Also unlike many celebs today, they were great patriots... "The team did a 35-day tour during the summer of 1942 to promote and sell War Bonds. The Treasury Department credited them with $85 million in sales.[2]" en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbott_and_Costello#Later_years
Lou Costello was, indeed, a comic genius. The word-play with Abbott was first-rate, of course, but it goes beyond that. He saw what most of us are blind to, the inner child in us all. He personified that in an exaggerated way but the core of psychological truth is essential to the comic effect.
I am 35 years of age and remember watching Abbott & Costello on Sunday morning reruns! I still enjoy the opportunity to see this older footage of film whenever I get the chance and "This is Your Life Lou Costello" was very well done!
I really enjoyed this episode. It was so nice to get to know how many good deeds he did for people. I just think it’s unfortunate that they brought up the loss of his little son butch so many times. I’m sure Lou never got over it and you can tell it’s so painful for him and his family whenever it’s mentioned.He was a good man and he, his wife, and family certainly didn’t deserve to go through a tragic event like that. I can’t even begin to imagine how hard that must have been for them.
Yes, I agree. It was tough to watch them have to relive the pain of losing Butch. I found it hard to believe that they put him through that and in front of an audience, besides.
Back then they knew the pain doesn't go away just because nobody mentions the loved one who died. I remember people talking about the dead as still being part of the family. Even the ones who died before I was born were part of my family when I was growing up, because I heard the memories. That includes the babies who died of pneumonia or crib death. It made me aware of the empty seat at the holiday dinner table, and I hope in the Lord's mercy that I will meet them at the eternal wedding feast.
What a wonderful and humble man. There was alot I did not know about him. This was a great in sight to his life on and off stage. We need more people like him today. He is truly missed.
I was 17 years old, my grandparents loved comedy and thats where I learned the appreciation of making people laugh. It was hard to make me laugh but Bud and Lou could tickle me from inside out! They were amazing. Wish I could turn back the clock…thanks for the memories.👏👍😇
What a great inspiration Lou Costello was! Despite the tragedy of losing his son in a drowning accident, he went on to do some great things, but he never got over the loss of his son. You can see it on his face during this show and he worked very hard not to become emotional, but, as you can see, he was a man far different in real life than the comedic character he portrayed. In life, he was no pushover and was not anyone to toy with. What a fine family he created with a wonderful partner! This is the first time I have ever seen something more about the life of Lou Costello other than TV or movies and it is really something to be appreciated. It seems a shame that there are no more like Abbott and Costello nowadays that have clean comedic talent and ability. Lou Costello will certainly be remembered for many years to come and his kindness has been appreciated by so many people that he never had the time or opportunity to meet. We miss you Lou and we are all sure you are in a very good place!
@@ryanellis4474 Didn't Errol Flynn embarrass one of the duo by substituting a very blue "home movie" for what should have been an innocent one at some event hosted by Bud or Lou (something tells me it was Lou) ?
Back in those days, big stars were very down to earth and quite humble. Laurel & Hardy were the same when they were on. I was watching their films in the 70s and I didn't know they were all made before I was born and both of them were long gone. They were a class act. It's great to see what he was really like and that he was a genuinely decent bloke. Heartbreaking story about his son.
Lou Costello a humanitarian without a doubt, the tredgedy in his life while in the shadows and yet this man was able to make thousands laugh in his own sadness, who would have known. My favourite comedians in my childhood and will be for the rest of my life. God and the angels are the ones laughing now at the innocence of the mans humour. Sleep warm Lou. Clive & Pamela.
Wow what an inspirational man! To do what he did in his unfortunate short lifetime is an inspiration on its own. Gone too soon. Cheered so many people up personally and globally. Big respect Lou!
I am now 59 years old. I have been a fan of Lou Costello and Bud Abbot since the age of 5. I have all of their movies and shows they produced throughout the years. Three years after this recording, March 3rd, 1959, Lou passed away from a heart attack. May he rest in eternal glory.
lolbored801 : and it is a damn shame. I grew up watching A&C and i respect Lou even more after seeing this. He sacrificed so others could have a better life. You are right, you wont find this today
I liked that this program showed what a caring individual he was. He had fame but out of real tragedy he didn't stop caring about other people. As the other folks commented below you would be hard pressed to find that today...He was and still is a great example of a human being.
i was seven years old when Abbott & Costello did that show when his little boy died . i always remembered that broadcast. during the show they came on & announced what had happened & in the tradition of "going on with the show" he was going on but they said he might not be able to finish the show . but he did . i'm 78 years old & a few years ago i bought all the Abbott & Costello movies i could find .
Jazz Cat i was born in 1936 & i was around seven when it came on our RADIO about lou costello's son drowning in family pool.. tv was something very few people heard of it was on the way to being so people could have them in their homes but i don't think anyone could have had one till late 40's . i was 13 when we got ours. in 1949 & they were so small but so wonderful this new thing. , so jazz cat i ought to have mentioned that it was radio . sorry about that . the show about his life of course told about it but that was years later.
I love this "This is your Life" segment with Ralph Edwards honoring Lou Costello. I watched him as a kid and still do today. I find myself coming to watch this and I get very emotional too. Nobody can replace that comedy team in my opinion. Even if they had Hollywood look alikes, nothing can beat the original like most things. I wish I could have seen them in person. I would love to contact Christine Costello (his daughter) via email to find out more about him.RIP Lou Costello/Bud Abbott!! ..
i remember all the stories my grandfather shared of the cristillos, who were 7 blocks away, and my Dads interaction with Bud and Lou when he grew up. this was an awesome side of Lou I had never heard about though I knew he was always active in the Paterson community very touching
I have the whole collection of abbott and Costello movies on dvd I always like too watch them over and over..god bless you and your wonderful family chris Costello.
First time I saw these guys out of character...great clip! I can't count all laughs and joy Lou and Bud gave me as a child. I didn't know how charitable Lou was and a true gentleman with tremendous talent and grace. Tks Lou-you are one of my all time greatest comedian's in my life.
I rushed home every day from school to get home at 3:30 to hear Lou Costello say, "Hey Abbattt" on Channel 11. I thank you, Lou, for giving me my sense of humor.
Exactly. Everyone is so concerned with political correctness these days they've relinquished values, morals, respect and genuine compassion in the process.
@@get2rog I'm not a liberal. Liberals tend to genuinely care about other people; you talking about "compassion" while you generalize about them is ironic. Lou was a very difficult man, as it happens. He was moral a lot of the time, he genuinely cared about his charities, but he was widely considered a jerk behind the scenes.
@@thebrazilianatlantis165 Not sure why you have responded to me as I have not generalised liberals or even mentioned politics but the demise of sense and sensibilities through the divisiveness of political correctness.
@@get2rog When you mentioned political correctness you weren't mentioning politics -- that's the story you're going with? "Political correctness" refers to what liberals think is best.
History will view America with it's pinnacle in the mid 20th century. It's been a downhill side since then. We'll never see that America again. That was the best 1/2 hour I've spent in a long time. Brought years to my eyes.
This is a tribute to one of the best comedians ever. He was faced with many hardships, but didn't let that over shadow his talent for making people laugh. There was one important thing left out of this show, that should be told. The team of Abbott and Costello, raised millions and millions of dollars for bonds, during WWll. Some have said they raised the most money. Several years after, the IRS comes in and seizes both their homes and possessions for back taxes. It seems their accountant, didn't pay taxes on the money they earned. They were swindled by a trusted employee. I don't know if he was ever convicted of the crime, but the U.S. government was wrong also for taking all of their belongings, and auctioning them off at pennies on the dollar. What a crime the government committed. They could have been given time to pay these back taxes, after all they did during the darkest days of WWll.
I have always loved the Abbott and Costello shows as a kid and throughout my adult life. It fills my life with happiness to know he was always a great man that helped others less fortunate and had a heart of a child, pure and innocent! Thank you Mr Costello and Mr Abbott for all you have done!
At first I thought he was annoyed to be ambushed like this, but I guess I have that screwy TV biopic that got them so severely wrong in the back of my mind. Lou you were a real class act, man. You gave back, even after the deepest of hardships and tragedies. The lives you changed in life and lives those individuals touched going forward is your legacy beyond the amazing laughs you provided on screen and on stage. God Bless you and I hope you're still living it up in heaven right now and that your family is doing well.
This is one of the most touching shows, as hard as it is as times to watch. Somehow, the world today doesn't seem quite as kind. Today's televised entertainment is so much about humiliation and narcissism.
+RedTango Yes, your comment is so on point!.... it is hard to watch at times, yet that's what I think causes hearts to empathize with Mr Costello ....his human experience of life, loss, sickness, hard work, tragedy and all of the good times in between ....that is what life is all about. As much as many would like to erase the difficulties of living from life, Mr. Costello seems to have become more gentle and humbled by them....and generous because of it. While others seem to become bitter, angry and cutthroat to obtain money and fame because they don't get the concept that life is not always good or fair and short cuts do not build character.
+RedTango, Wow!! As I watched this episode, I was moved to tears. especially the part where he had lost his son. This wonderful man that brought so much joy and laughter to the world while his world was crumbling underneath him. You can tell that he had to hold his composure in front of the camera. Where ever he could, he always helped another human being. You surely can't knock him for that. as a kid growing up in Brooklyn NY, I always watched all the Abbott & Costello movies. The world could certainly use more this. God Bless you Lou Costello.
I grew up with Abbott and Costello. (I too came from northern New Jersey, not far from their hometowns). I can watch their movies over and over again and still laugh. The story about Lou going on with the show after his little boy died, always broke my heart.
I'm surprised that Lou went on with the show the night he got word about his son's death. I wouldn't have blamed him had he decided to cancel that nights performance instead. Surely the audience would have understood.
+Melissa Cooper Everyone has their own way of coping with a tragic loss in their life. When my father died last year, I still went to work, because I wanted to keep my mind off things rather than staying home and falling apart emotionally. That's probably how he was at that point...
I always watched all of his episodes and then his movies. He was the best of his times. It brings me sadness to know he passed at such a young age. He did go out all of his way to help others and yet, hard for him to deal with his own. Lou you are greatly missed at this end. I know God has a fantastic person who will make him laugh. R.I.P.
As a very young boy of 5 I remember when my Grandma told me of Lou's passing and how sad I was at the time because I spent so many hours in from of the TV watching Abbot and Costello. As a child my life was not a happy one and I found a way of escaping the pain I felt by watching acts like Lou and Bud. As others have all ready said he was a "CLASS ACT"
Great times with a very funny man...The definition of the "crying clown"...Great success, unbelievable tragedy, and heart ache...He was gone three years after this episode...Such a funny team, for so may years...
Am so impressed. I was never interested in his work. Yet, I am blown away, this morning, November 12, 1:07am. How humble and self giving. May the, Lord, bless his family, and bring them to salvation. Bless you.
One of my first memories was watching Abbott and Costello at my grandma's house. Naughty nineties was the film and I think I watched it on loop. Fun Fact: Harley Quinn's hyenas are named Bud and Lou.
I love how Lou pulls Bud's fanny out of the fire with the one-liner about how neither of them can sing. If you watch carefully you can see real admiration and gratitude for the "save" pouring out of Bud's face, (he's reading cue-cards for gosh sakes) and the love and concern for his comedy partner coming from Lou, including Lou's eyes going back and forth watching Bud's eyes and lips, keeping on top of the timing, as he'd always done. Every really "quick" ad-lib comedian needs a great "straight-man" for the set-ups, and Bud was one of the best, but by that time he was already having trouble with the IRS as well as difficulties arising from "high end" living. Not trying to kick Bud at all, they were both class acts, and I love them, have since I was a child. Many comedians today owe at least part of their success to the "eternal kid with the innocent heart" routine coined and polished by Lou, which seems to also be sort of who he really was. Bless you Lou, for your comedic gift and your humble giving heart. You too Bud, for helping bring us those gifts. Thanks for all the joy, Rest In Peace
Thank you for posting this video. Lou was such a humble and kind human being. I never knew his complete story. He was really good at what he did along with Bud Abbott. It was sad to learn about his son and see him try not to get emotional. He had success and it was well deserved. I wonder if any family members get royalties from the movies that TCM shows. They just had back to back movies on TCM this past weekend. Loved his movies as a child and still watch them as an adult. They never get old! Thanks Lou Costello. Rest In Eternal Peace.
Lou was, is, and will always be one of my favorite entertainers. Such a shame about Butch, and then Lou's death at the age of 52 (just three years after this was made). Thankful for the legacy he left, and I actually still enjoy about 90% of the duo's films (even some of the more poorly received ones.)
