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Lou Costello was born on March 6, 1906, in Patterson, New Jersey, into a vibrant Italian-American family. His parents, Helen Reggie and Sebastiano Cristio, instilled in him the cultural traditions and values of their heritage. Costello's childhood was marked by an extraordinary athleticism; he was not only a basketball champ but also dabbled in boxing, honing skills that would later be integrated into his comedy.
Despite the laughter he would later invoke on stage, Costello faced considerable challenges throughout his life. Chris Costello, his daughter, has shed light on the tribulations her father endured, suggesting that these experiences shaped his comedic style and persona.