Abbott and Costello (left and right respectively in the picture to the right) were a comedy duo composed of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello, whose work on radio and in film and television made them the most popular comedy team of the 1940s and early 1950s. Lou Costello and Bud Abbott were born in New Jersey. They first worked together in 1935 at the Eltinge Burlesque Theater on 42nd Street in New York City. Their first performance resulted from Costello’s regular partner becoming ill. Performers in the show, including Abbott’s wife, encouraged them to stay a permanent pairing. The duo built an act by refining and reworking numerous burlesque sketches with Abbott as the devious straight man and Costello as the dimwitted comic. Their patter routine “Who’s on First?” is one of their best-known comedy routines of all time in the world, and set the framework for many of their best-known comedy bits. This routine was first performed for a national radio audience and kept performing on the program as regulars for two years while also landing roles in a Broadway revue in 1939. Lou Costello’s net worth was equal to $50 million at the time of his death in March 1959. Bud Abbott’s net worth was equal to $86 million when he died of Prostate cancer on April 24, 1974.
Frank Sinatra was an Italian-American singer, actor, and producer who was one of the most popular and influential musical artists of the 20th century. He is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold more than 150 million records worldwide. Frank Sinatra was also born in New Jersey like Abbott and Costello. He married his childhood sweetheart Nancy Barbato in 1939. They had three children together-Nancy, Frank Sinatra Jr., and Tina before their marriage unraveled. In 1951, he married Ava Gardner then split. He married a third time to Mia Farrow and it again ended in divorce. He married for a fourth and final time in 1976 to Barbara Blakely Marx, the ex-wife of comedian Zeppo Marx. They remained together until his death. Some of his most popular songs were “Fly me to the moon” and “My Way”. He began his musical career in the the swing era with bandleaders Harry James and Tommy Dorsey. Sinatra found success as a solo artist after he signed with Columbia Records in 1943, becoming the idol of the “bobby soxers”. His show business career spanned for more than 50 years. Sinatra was even presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian award in 1985. Sinatra died of a heart attack at the age of 82 at Los Angeles’ Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. 
2 comments:
It's interesting to see the art and entertainment that came out of this era, much of which is still relevant and celebrated today. Do you think that during times of War/economic depression there was a higher demand for more lighthearted content? Does art result from hardship in a sense?
I agree with Michelle that it's very interesting how an era of hardship produced such famous stars that remain relevant today. People celebrated the comedy duo Abbot & Costello and Frank Sinatra because they were a light to turn to during a time of particular hardship. Like sport stars, these celebrities served as a source of escapist entertainment.
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