Bud Abbott: The Straight Man Who Defined Comedy on Old-Time Radio

Bud Abbott was born William Alexander Abbott on October 2, 1897, in Asbury Park, New Jersey. He was the third of four children born to Rae Fisher and Harry Abbott, a family with deep roots in the entertainment industry. Rae was a bareback rider of German-Jewish background, while Harry worked as a concessionaire and forage agent. When Bud was a toddler, the family relocated to Harlem and then to the Coney Island section of Brooklyn, where his father became a longtime advance man for the Columbia Burlesque Wheel.

Growing up in this environment, Bud was exposed to the world of vaudeville and burlesque from a young age. He dropped out of grammar school to work at the Coney Island amusement park, where he gained valuable experience in the entertainment business. In his late teens, Bud began working in the box office of the Casino Theatre in Brooklyn, a burlesque house on the Columbia wheel. Over the next few years, he steadily rose through the ranks, eventually becoming the theater's treasurer.

Entry Into Radio

Bud's big break came in 1918 when, while working in Washington, D.C., he met and married Jenny Mae Pratt, a burlesque dancer and comedienne who performed under the stage name Betty Smith. Betty continued to perform on the Columbia Wheel, while Bud mostly remained behind the scenes, producing and managing burlesque shows. In 1923, he produced a cut-rate vaudeville "tab show" called Broadway Flashes, which toured on the small-time Gus Sun circuit.

It was during this time that Bud began performing as a straight man in the show, out of necessity when he could no longer afford to pay a dedicated straight man. Bud's reputation as a skilled straight man grew, and he started working with veteran comedians like Harry Steppe and Harry Evanson.

Bud's path would soon cross with that of a rising young comedian named Lou Costello. The two first worked together in 1935 at the Eltinge Theatre on 42nd Street in New York City, after an illness sidelined Costello's regular partner. Bud and Lou formally teamed up in 1936, and their partnership would go on to become one of the most iconic comedy duos in entertainment history.

The Abbott and Costello Radio Years

Bud and Lou's big break on radio came in 1938 when they were hired as regulars on the popular Kate Smith Hour program. This national exposure led to roles in the Broadway musical The Streets of Paris in 1939, and soon after, a contract with Universal Pictures.

On the radio, Bud and Lou's comedy routines, such as the legendary "Who's on First?" sketch, quickly made them household names. They had their own radio program, The Abbott and Costello Show, which aired on various networks throughout the 1940s. During this time, they were among the most popular and highest-paid stars in the world, ranking among the Top 10 box office draws from 1941 to 1951.

Bud's straight-man persona was the perfect foil to Lou's manic, fast-talking comedy. As director Arthur Lubin later remarked, "I don't think there has ever been a finer straight man in the business than Bud Abbott. Lou would go off the script – because he was that clever with lines – and Bud would bring him right back."

During World War II, Bud and Lou's popularity soared even higher. They were among the most sought-after entertainers, selling an astounding $85 million worth of war bonds during a 35-day tour in 1942. Their radio program, which aired on both the Blue Network and NBC, remained a top draw throughout the 1940s.

Transition to Film and Television

Bud and Lou's success on radio soon translated to the silver screen. In 1940, Universal Studios signed the duo for their first film, One Night in the Tropics, which featured several of their classic comedy routines. This led to a long-term contract with the studio, and over the next 16 years, they made 36 films together, earning a percentage of the profits on each.

The team's on-screen chemistry and Bud's impeccable timing as the straight man were just as effective on film as they were on radio. They continued to rank among the Top 10 box office stars throughout the 1940s and into the early 1950s, reaching the #1 spot in 1942.

In the 1950s, Bud and Lou brought their comedy to live television on The Colgate Comedy Hour, and later launched their own half-hour filmed series, The Abbott and Costello Show, which ran from 1952 to 1954. This transition to television allowed them to reach new audiences and solidify their legacy as one of the greatest comedy teams of the era.

Later Years and Legacy

Despite their immense success, Bud and Lou's partnership was not without its challenges. In the mid-1940s, the two had a falling out over a personal matter, and they refused to speak to each other except when they were working. This tension eventually led to the team's box office ranking dropping out of the Top 10 in 1946.

In the late 1950s, Bud faced financial difficulties when the IRS disallowed $500,000 in tax exemptions, forcing him to sell his home and come out of semi-retirement. He briefly performed with a new partner, Candy Candido, but ultimately decided that "no one could ever live up to Lou."

Bud Abbott passed away on April 24, 1974, at the age of 76, succumbing to cancer. His widow, Betty, died seven years later in 1981. When asked about Bud shortly after his death, the legendary Groucho Marx remarked that he was "the greatest straight man that ever lived."

Bud Abbott's legacy as a master of comedic timing and the perfect straight man is cemented in the annals of entertainment history. Along with his iconic partner Lou Costello, he created some of the most beloved and enduring comedy routines of the 20th century, leaving an indelible mark on radio, film, and television. Bud's unique ability to ground Lou's manic energy and bring his improvisational brilliance back to the script made him an indispensable part of one of the greatest comedy teams of all time.

Works and Appearances

Radio

The Kate Smith Hour (1938-1939) - Regular performer
The Abbott and Costello Show (1942-1949) - Co-star, co-creator

Film

One Night in the Tropics (1940) - Supporting role
Buck Privates (1941) - Co-star
Hold That Ghost (1941) - Co-star
Who Done It? (1942) - Co-star
Pardon My Sarong (1942) - Co-star
It Ain't Hay (1943) - Co-star
In Society (1944) - Co-star
The Time of Their Lives (1946) - Supporting role
The Wistful Widow of Wagon Gap (1947) - Co-star
Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948) - Co-star

Television

The Colgate Comedy Hour (1950-1952) - Co-star
The Abbott and Costello Show (1952-1954) - Co-star, co-creator

Other Media

Appeared in various burlesque and vaudeville productions throughout the 1920s and 1930s
Authored the book "Bud and Lou: The Abbott and Costello Story" with Bob Thomas (1977)

Bud Abbott: The Straight Man Who Mastered the Art of ComedyPerson's Name

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