Costello was born in Paterson, New Jersey, to Italian immigrants. He began his career in show business as a teenager, performing in vaudeville and burlesque. He met Bud Abbott in 1936, and the two formed a comedy team. They quickly became one of the most popular comedy acts in the world, performing in nightclubs, on radio, and in films.
Abbott and Costello's comedy was characterized by their slapstick routines and Costello's high-pitched voice and exaggerated facial expressions. They appeared in a total of 36 films together, including "One Night in the Tropics" (1940), "Buck Privates" (1941), and "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein" (1948).
Costello's health began to decline in the early 1950s, and he underwent several heart surgeries. He died of a heart attack in 1959 at the age of 52.
Despite his premature death, Costello is considered one of the most influential comedians of the 20th century. His work with Bud Abbott helped to define the comedy genre and inspired countless other comedians.