Don Costello

Eldon Lawrence "Don" Costello (September 5, 1901 – October 25, 1945) was an American actor of stage, screen and radio.

Background Eldon Lawrence Costello was born on September 5, 1901, in New Orleans, where Jesuit Fathers educated him. His initial plans to study law gave way to his interest in acting.

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

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).

Death Costello died of an overdose of sleeping tablets on October 25, 1945, at the age of 44. His wife, Louise, found him dead in the bedroom of their home in 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

Another Thin Man (1939) - 'Diamond Back' Vogel Joe and Ethel Turp Call on the President (1939) - Fred One Crowded Night (1940) - Lefty Wildcat Bus (1940) - Sid Casey Sleepers West (1941) - Carl Izzard Ride on Vaquero (1941) - Redge I'll Wait for You (1941) - Police Sergeant Brent Here Comes Mr. Jordan (1941) - Lefty Whistling in the Dark (1941) - 'Noose' Green Last of the Duanes (1941) - Jim Bland Unholy Partners (1941) - Georgie Pelotti Johnny Eager (1941) - Billiken Joe Smith, American (1942) - Mead Sundown Jim (1942) - Dobe Hyde A-Haunting We Will Go (1942) - Doc Lake Just Off Broadway (1942) - George Dolphin A Night to Remember (1942) - Eddie Turner Truck Busters (1943) - Anthony 'Tony' Bonetti Air Raid Wardens (1943) - Heydrich Crime Doctor (1943) - Nick Ferris A Lady Takes a Chance (1943) - Drunk Murder on the Waterfront (1943) - Gordon Shane - 'The Great Rajah' Texas Masquerade (1944) - Ace Maxson Rationing (1944) - Ace (uncredited) The Whistler (1944) - Lefty Vigran aka Gorss (uncredited) Mystery Man (1944) - Bud Trilling Here Come the Co-Eds (1945) - Diamond (uncredited) Great Stagecoach Robbery (1945) - Jed Quinlan It's in the Bag! (1945) - Mickey (uncredited) Nob Hill (1945) - Steve, Fighting Bartender (uncredited) Along Came Jones (1945) - Leo Gledhill Incendiary Blonde (1945) - Gus Vettori (uncredited) Marshal of Laredo (1945) - Henchman Pretty Boy Murphy Follow That Woman (1945) - Nick The Red Dragon (1945) - Charles Masack Crime of the Century (1946) - Joe, Bartender The Blue Dahlia (1946) - Leo (final film role)