Don Costello

Eldon Lawrence "Don" Costello (September 5, 1901 – October 24, 1945) was an American actor of stage, screen and radio.

Don Costello
Costello in Another Thin Man (1939)
Born
Eldon Lawrence Costello

(1901-09-05)September 5, 1901
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
DiedOctober 24, 1945(1945-10-24) (aged 44)
Hollywood, California, U.S.
Resting placeForest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale)
OccupationActor
Years active1929-1945

Background

Costello was born in New Orleans on September 5, 1901. He was the son of James J. Costello and Mary E. Costello (née Gillen).

Career

In the mid-1920s, Costello was stage manager for the Wright Players in Louisville, Kentucky.[1] Later in that decade, he acted with the Majestic Players in Elmira, New York.[2]

Costello entered films in 1935 and in 1939 was put under contract with MGM. Known for his wicked sense of humor, Costello oftentimes played the role of a menace or a tough guy. He is probably best known for his role as Lefty in the movie Here Comes Mr. Jordan (1941). He appeared in 37 movies (31 times credited), including Another Thin Man (1939), Johnny Eager (1941) and The Blue Dahlia (1946).

Accidental Death

According to the obituary of the actor published in the Los Angeles Times on October 26, 1945, Costello died of an overdose of sleeping tablets. His wife Louise found him dead in the bedroom of their home at 13424 Valley Vista Street, Sherman Oaks. He had earlier complained of being unable to get to sleep.

Broadway roles
  • Jerry-for-Short (1929) - Anthony La Vere
  • The Last Mile (1930) - Drake
  • Face the Music (1933) - Louis / Mr. O'Ryan
  • The Ghost of Yankee Doodle (1937) - Ockleford

Partial filmography

References
  1. "Handsome stage manager of Wright Players, doing his work, plays many parts". The Courier-Journal. Kentucky, Louisville. March 7, 1926. p. 31. Retrieved February 5, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. "Majestic Play Is Real Drama". Star-Gazette. New York, Elmira. October 11, 1927. p. 13. Retrieved February 5, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
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