Lou Costello Statue
Paterson, New Jersey
One of Jersey's many cultural statesmen is honored by his hometown of Paterson.
Titled "Lou's On First," a life-size bronze of comedy genius Lou Costello carries a bat and wears his trademark derby, now splattered with bird poop. The landmark is marked with an entryway sign for "Lou Costello Memorial." Lou's statue was dedicated on June 26, 1992.
Lou was born in Paterson in 1906. He was good at sports in high school, but dropped out to team up with Bud Abbott to form what would become the most popular comedy duo in America in the 1940s. Their hit movies included "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein," "Abbott and Costello Meet The Invisible Man," and "Abbott and Costello Meet The Mummy."
The sculpture's baseball bat is a reference to their signature "Who's on First?" routine.
Abbott, the duo's straight man, was also from New Jersey; his hometown of Asbury Park has not seen fit to give him a statue (although there was a failed effort in 2017 via petition to gain city council support of the project).