Abbott and Costello Meet the Neighbors

Bud Abbott’s and Lou Costello’s paths to the San Fernando Valley began on the East Coast with Abbott growing up in Coney Island, N.Y., and Costello in Paterson, N.J.

After teaming up in 1936, with Abbott playing straight man to the portly Costello, they quickly became headliners on the vaudeville and burlesque circuit. Their success led them to radio, Broadway, film and TV, with their “Who’s on First?” skit becoming a classic.

Forever linked in their fans’ memories, the famous comedy duo even lived in close proximity, with Abbott on Woodley Avenue in Encino and Costello on Longridge Avenue in Sherman Oaks.

Abbott’s house had 16 rooms, complete with swimming pool and large rumpus room. Costello’s started with seven rooms and ended up with 24, including a movie theater and a bar that stretched the length of the den. The backyard pool was the site of a family tragedy: Costello’s only son, Louis Francis Cristillo Jr., fondly known as Butch, drowned there just two days before his first birthday in 1943.

Both comedians later were forced to sell their cherished homes to pay off tax obligations. Abbott moved to a two-bedroom tract house on Redwing Street in Woodland Hills. Costello took up residence on his 22-acre spread in Canoga Park known as the L. C. Ranch, home to racehorses as well as domestic livestock, which was slaughtered on site.

After 21 years together, the team officially announced its breakup July 14, 1957.

Two years later, Costello died of a heart attack. A funeral Mass was said at his parish, St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Sherman Oaks, and he was placed in a crypt next to his son at Calvary Cemetery in Los Angeles. He was 53.

Abbott died in 1974 after several years of poor health. His funeral was held at the First Christian Church of Reseda and his ashes were scattered at sea. He was 78.