Eldon Lawrence “Don” Costello (September 5, 1901 – October 24, 1945) was an American actor of stage, screen and radio.
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).[citation needed]
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).[citation needed]
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
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)
External Links
Actor Don Costello – Wikipedia
