William "Bud" Abbott Yesterday, April 24, 2019 marked the 45th anniversary of the death of William “Bud” Abbott. You know Abbott as one half of the comedic duo, Abbott & Costello. While some sources state a birth of October 2, 1895, other sources state October 2, 1897. He was born to parents in show business – they were part of the Barnum & Bailey Circus. In 1918, Abbott met and married