Celebrating comedy legend Lou Costello
Family, friends, and fans gathered to commemorate the 113th birthday of Paterson native and Hollywood icon Lou Costello this past Saturday, March 2 at the Paterson Museum.
“Lou’s Angels” sponsored the event which was free of charge. Refreshments were provided and a special Abbott and Costello video presentation brought forth roars of laughter from more than seventy people in attendance.
Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh helped kick-off the event with emcee Sal Rinella, founder of “Lou’s Angels.”
Ed Cotton of the Lou Costello Boxing Gym also addressed the audience and celebrity impersonators Lou Sciara and Michael T. Wright entertained the crowd with a stellar performance of Abbott and Costello’s Niagara Falls sketch.
Louis Cristillo, grandson of Lou Costello and his daughter Maryam Cristillo stood before the audience and shared their thoughts about their grandfather and greatgrandfather respectively.
Costello’s youngest daughter Chris telephoned in from California to thank those in attendance. Ms. Costello also expressed her gratitude to the members of “Lou’s Angels” for volunteering their time to create the event. Additional Costello family members called in from Las Vegas and New Orleans, sharing their feelings about the comedian’s success as well as his well-known acts of benevolence.
“It’s wonderful to know that so many people keep the memory of Abbott and Costello alive,” says Costello. “My father would be not only thrilled but also very proud of each and every person who worked so hard to put this celebration together.”
Lou Costello was half of the world-renowned comedy team of Abbott & Costello. Playing the “bumbling” partner to Bud Abbott’s “straight man,” the duo went from burlesque to Hollywood where they became the most popular comics of the 1940s and early 1950s. Abbott & Costello’s ‘Who’s on First” is to this day one of the best-known comedy routines of all time.
“Lou’s Angels” is an organization that keeps the memory of Abbott & Costello alive by facilitating events such as annual birthday parties and the Lou Costello Park cleanup. Through “Lou’s Angels” friends and fans continue to celebrate the laughter Abbott & Costello brought the world.