The most successful comedy team of the 1940s was divided by money, billing, ego, and artistic ambition almost from the beginning. In burlesque, Abbott initially received 60 percent of the act's earnings because the straight man was traditionally considered the more valuable partner. After their move to Hollywood, the arrangement shifted to 50/50, but Costello soon demanded a 40/60 split in his own favor. That became permanent, while Universal refused Costello's request to reverse the billing to 'Costello and Abbott' because the studio had already spent years building the Abbott-and-Costello brand. According to Costello's daughter Chris, Abbott's continued top billing created a 'permanent chill' between the men.
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AI concept artworkArchive Record · 1940s-1950s
The Unequal Partnership That Turned Abbott and Costello Against Each Other
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello / 1940s-1950s
The most successful comedy team of the 1940s was divided by money, billing, ego, and artistic ambition almost from the beginning. In burlesque, Abbott initially received 60 percent of the act's earnings because the straight man was traditionally considered the more valuable partner. After their move to Hollywood, the arrangement shifted to 50/50, but Costello soon demanded a 40/60 split in his own favor. That became permanent, while Universal refused Costello's request to reverse the billing to 'Costello and Abbott' because the studio had already spent years building the Abbott-and-Costello brand. According to Costello's daughter Chris, Abbott's continued top billing created a 'permanent chill' between the men.
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