Background
Costello was born in Guayama, Puerto Rico in 1913, although 1917 is often incorrectly sourced.
Costello was born in Guayama, Puerto Rico in 1913, although 1917 is often incorrectly sourced.
After performing for some time at various venues in Spanish Harlem, she paired with Desi Arnaz at the Louisiana Conga club Her Broadway debut was Too Many Girls (1939), where she became the first Latina on the Broadway stage. She decided not to go with the film, however, being reluctant to move to Hollywood.
The Smithsonian filmed an interview with Costello in 2006.
She died in her sleep on June 20, 2013 at the age of 100 in Hollywood, Florida.