BUD ABBOTT
Bud Abbott
- © Universal Pictures
- (Bud Abbott in Buck Privates, 1941)
Biography
BIO
Bud Abbott was born William Alexander Abbott in Asbury Park, New Jersey in 1895. His parents worked for the Barnum and Bailey Circus: his father was a production manager and his mother a horse rider.
After various odd jobs, Abbott began producing and touring in burlesque shows in the mid 1910s and in 1936 teamed up with fellow burlesque entertainer Lou Costello. After appearing on Broadway in 1939, the duo signed with Universal Pictures and starred in such notable comedies as Buck Privates (1941).
The pair also had their own radio show (1942-1949) and television program (1952-1954).
Abbott married Betty Smith, a fellow burlesque entertainer, in 1918 and the couple adopted two children.
He suffered from epilepsy and drank heavily to forestall it’s effects.
Abbott died of prostate cancer in Los Angeles in 1974, at the age of 78.
Additional Broadway stage history is available at: 
Additional biographical information is available at: 
