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William Alexander “Bud” Abbott was an American actor, producer and comedian best remembered as the straight man of the comedy team Abbott and Costello. Born into a family of Barnum and Bailey Circus performers, Abbott dropped out of school at the age of 14 to work in carnivals and theaters across the country.

In 1931, while working at the Brooklyn Theater, he was asked to fill in for Lou Costello’s straight comedic partner, who had taken ill. The new act of Abbott and Costello was created that night, and in 1936, the duo formally teamed up and performed together in burlesque, vaudeville, minstrel shows, and cinemas, honing their timing and perfecting their skills. In 1938 they received national exposure for the first time, appearing on The Kate Smith Hour radio show, which led to their being signed by Universal Pictures the next year.

During World War II, Abbott and Costello were among the most popular and highest-paid stars in the world. Between 1940 and 1956 they made over 36 films and were popular on radio throughout the 1940s. In the 1950s they brought their comedy to live television on The Colgate Comedy Hour, and launched their own half-hour series, The Abbott and Costello Show.

While relations between Abbott and Costello slowly waned, they will forever be remembered as one of the greatest comedy duos in history.

Read more about Bud Abbott at Wikipedia or at the Internet Movie Database

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