Editing Bud Abbott (section)

===Lou Costello and Hollywood===
Abbott crossed paths with [[Lou Costello]] in the early 1930s, when Abbott was producing and performing in [[Minsky's Burlesque]] shows in New York, and Costello was a rising comic. They worked together for the first time in 1935 at the [[Eltinge Theatre]] on 42nd Street, after an illness sidelined Costello's regular partner.<ref name="Furmanek 1991"/> They formally [[Abbott and Costello|teamed up]] in 1936, and performed together in burlesque, [[minstrel show]]s, what was left of vaudeville, and stage shows.<ref name=nytobit/>

In 1938, they received national exposure as regulars on the ''[[Kate Smith]] Hour'' [[radio]] show, which led to roles in a [[Broadway musical]], ''[[The Streets of Paris]]'' in 1939. In 1940, [[Universal Pictures|Universal]] signed the team for their first film, ''[[One Night in the Tropics]]''. Despite having minor roles, Abbott and Costello stole the film with several classic routines, including an abbreviated version of "[[Who's on First?]]"<ref name="Furmanek 1991"/> Universal signed the team to a two-picture deal, and the first film, ''[[Buck Privates]]'' (1941), became a major hit and led to a long-term contract with the studio.<ref name="Furmanek 1991"/>

[[Arthur Lubin]], who directed the team's first five starring films, later said: "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."<ref name="kings">{{cite book|title=Kings of the Bs: working within the Hollywood system: an anthology of film history and criticism|year=1975 |publisher=E. P. Dutton |first1=Charles |last1=Flynn |first2=Todd |last2=McCarthy |chapter=Arthur Lubin |editor-first1=Charles |editor-last1=Flynn |editor-first2=Todd |editor-last2=McCarthy |page=367}}</ref>

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 36 films and earned a percentage of the profits on each.<ref name="Furmanek 1991"/> They were among the [[Top Ten Money Making Stars Poll|Top 10 box office stars]] from 1941 through 1951, and placed No. 1 in 1942. They also had their own radio program (''[[The Abbott and Costello Show (radio program)|The Abbott and Costello Show]]'') throughout the 1940s, first on [[NBC]] from 1942 to 1947, and from 1947 to 1949 on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]. During a 35-day tour in the summer of 1942, the team sold $85 million worth of War Bonds.<ref name="Furmanek 1991"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Abbott and Costello Honored for War Bond Sales |url=https://history.nebraska.gov/blog/abbott-and-costello-honored-war-bond-sales |website=History Nebraska |access-date=December 6, 2021}}</ref>

In the 1950s, they introduced their comedy to live television on ''[[The Colgate Comedy Hour]]'', and launched their own half-hour filmed series, ''[[The Abbott and Costello Show]]'' (1952–54).