Above, Lou Costello with Elvis Presley and Jane Russell.1959: Death of Lou Costello
Along with George Reeves, 1959 also saw the passing of comedian Lou Costello on March 3. He died at Doctor's Hospital of a heart attack. He had suffered a prior heart attack the week before and seemed to be getting better.
He was watching television at home when he was hit by the first heart attack. He had a good day on the day of his death. He was in a jovial mood and requested and enjoyed a strawberry ice cream soda that morning.
At around 3:55 PM, he asked one of his nurses to turn him on his side, saying that he'd feel more comfortable. Before she could reach him, Costello slumped back and died. He died three days short of his 53rd birthday.
Here are some of the newspaper articles of Costello's death and funeral rites from the two of the Los Angeles newspapers:
