1. – Nelson Eddy, Phantom of the Opera, 1943. Abbott & Costello were the rivals (with The Phantom) for soprano Susanna Foster in Universal’s original concept for re-tooling Lon Chaney’s 1925 classic.
2. – Buddy Hackettacjkett5e, Fireman Save My Child, 1954. Lou was too ill to work and the duo pulled out (they are still seen – but of course! – in some long-shots). Universal replaced their prized comedy duo with… Hugh O’Brien and Buddy Hackett… who would play Costello in the Bud & Lou tele-bio, 1978.
Birth year: 1906Death year: 1969Other name: Casting Calls: 0