Ignazio "Nat" Curcuruto (October 1, 1903 – April 16, 1975), better known by his stage name Joe Kirk, was an American radio, film, and television actor who was best known for playing the role of Mr. Bacciagalupe on The Abbott and Costello Show. He was married to Lou Costello's sister, Marie, in real life.
Early life and career Kirk was born Ignazio Curcuruto (known as Nat to his family) in New York City, one of four children—Letitia, Philip (1902–95), Nat (1903–75) and Josephine—of Italian immigrants from Sicily, Giuseppe "Joe" Curcuruto and Elvira Puglisi Curcuruto (1882–1977).
He got his professional start in vaudeville, where he worked as a master of ceremonies and a comedian during the 1930s.
Radio career Kirk was a regular supporting player on Abbott and Costello's radio show during World War II and the postwar era of the 1940s. He was heard in various bit parts, including in a recurring closing gag as an audience member who heckles Costello.
Television career Kirk played Mr. Bacciagalupe and others on the duo's appearances on The Colgate Comedy Hour and then on the television version of The Abbott and Costello Show. Kirk's friendly, mustachioed character held a variety of jobs. At various points in the show, he was a barber, grocer, fruit vendor, ice cream vendor, peanut vendor, bakery owner and music store salesman. As Mr. Bacciagalupe, Kirk spoke with a thick Sicilian-American accent; his surname as well was pronounced in the Sicilian manner and not in proper Italian. When excited, Mr. Bacciagalupe frequently made improvized asides in the Italian language. Lou Costello, who was Italian-American himself, also understood these side remarks, and sometimes broke character and laughed along as well.
In the episodes featuring his character, Mr. Bacciagalupe would often show impatience with the indecision portrayed by Lou Costello, whom he called by his Sicilian name, Luigi. As he "lost his temperature", Mr. Bacciagalupe would lapse into broken Italian phrases and increasingly animated gesticulation to express his frustration. Sometimes he would find his place of business wrecked by Abbott and Costello's antics; at other times he would confound them completely and they would retreat in confusion as he crowed in triumph.
Kirk's Mr. Bacciagalupe character appeared in 15 of the 26 episodes in the show's first season, 1952–53. In all, he appeared in 19 episodes of the show's 52 total episodes through its end in 1954.
Film career The bulk of Kirk's early film career consisted of playing bit parts, often uncredited, in low-budget productions. Typical roles for him were "ethnic" Sicilian-Americans – gangsters, bartenders, bookies and henchmen. He appeared in several films produced by low-budget studio Monogram Pictures, including Spooks Run Wild (1941), Mr. Wise Guy (1942) and Smart Alecks (1942). Kirk appeared as the villager Schwartz in Universal's House of Frankenstein (1944).AllMovie Guide profile/New York Times He was occasionally billed as Joseph I. Kirk, the "I" standing for his birth-name, Ignazio.
Through his marriage to Marie Cristillo, the sister of Lou Costello, Kirk secured steady appearances (albeit in small roles) in Abbott and Costello films. His more prominent parts included the pet shop owner in Rio Rita (1942), Honest Dan the Bookie in Here Come the Co-Eds (1946), the shady real estate agent in Buck Privates Come Home (1947), an uncredited bystander in "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein" (1948) and Dr. Orvilla in Abbott and Costello Go to Mars (1953).Mulholland, Jim. "The Abbott and Costello Book." 1977, Popular Library
Kirk continued acting through the late 1950s, with appearances in The Jackie Robinson Story (1950), the 1956 Bowery Boys comedy Hot Shots and Fritz Lang's drama Beyond a Reasonable Doubt (1956). He also took small roles in television shows such as Adventures of Superman, Sheriff of Cochise and U.S. Marshal, before retiring from show business in 1958.
Personal life Kirk was married to Marie Katherine Cristillo (1912–88), who was the sister of Lou Costello and daughter of producer Sebastian Cristillo. After their marriage, Marie was known interchangeably as Marie Curcuruto or Marie Kirk. The couple had two sons.
He was the great-uncle of actress Marki Costello, who is the granddaughter of Lou Costello. Kirk was buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills).Wilson, Scott. Resting Places: The Burial Sites of More Than 14,000 Famous Persons, 3d ed.: 2 (Kindle Locations 25047-25048). McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. Kindle Edition.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes1941 Spooks Run Wild Camp Counselor Uncredited1941 Dick Tracy vs. Crime, Inc. Brownstone Heavy 3 Serial, Uncredited1942 Mr. Wise Guy Man in Newsreel with Prize Money Uncredited1942 Rio Rita Pet Shop Owner Uncredited, had a small cameo in this Abbott & Costello movie1942 Smart Alecks Mike 1942 Pardon My Sarong Henchman with Tabor Uncredited1942 Who Done It? Harry – the Radio Technician Uncredited1942 X Marks the Spot Henchman Jerry 1942 Pittsburgh Nightclub Bit Role Uncredited1942 Over My Dead Body Sailor 1943 Margin for Error Officer Solomon Uncredited1943 Pistol Packin' Mama Joe McGurn 1944 Phantom Lady Sanders – Stage Manager Uncredited1944 Sweethearts of the U.S.A. Ghost of Napoleon 1944 Moon Over Las Vegas Ticket Taker Uncredited1944 Ghost Catchers Mug Uncredited1944 Christmas Holiday Airline Attendant Uncredited1944 Bowery to Broadway Billboard Man Uncredited1944 The House of Frankenstein Schwartz Uncredited1945 Here Come the Co-Eds Honest Dan Murphy the Bookie 1945 See My Lawyer Bookie Uncredited1945 Blonde Ransom Bender 1945 The Naughty Nineties Croupier 1945 River Gang Gangster Uncredited1946 Little Giant Salesman 1946 Smooth as Silk Joe Uncredited1946 Inside Job Fenway Uncredited1947 Buck Privates Come Home Real Estate Salesman 1947 The Web Joe – Plainclothesman Uncredited1948 The Noose Hangs High Gangster Uncredited1948 Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein Man at Costume Party in Fez Uncredited1948 My Dear Secretary Process Server with Divorce Papers Uncredited1948 Mexican Hayride Second Businessman Uncredited1949 The Big Sombrero Man With Cigar Uncredited1949 Impact Hotel Clerk 1949 Red Light Reporter in Newsreel Uncredited1950 The Jackie Robinson Story Tony Uncredited1951 Comin' Round the Mountain Concession Stand Counterman Uncredited1952 Jack and the Beanstalk Villager Uncredited1952 Lost in Alaska Henchman 1952 Abbott and Costello Meet Captain Kidd Flirtatious Pirate Uncredited1952–1954 The Abbott and Costello Show Mr. Bacciagalupe / Double Crossing Dan / Indian 19 episodes, played a major supporting role in the shows' first season1953 The Mississippi Gambler Onlooker at Poker Game Uncredited1953 Abbott and Costello Go to Mars Dr. Orvilla 1953 Fort Algiers Luigi 1954 The Long Wait Servo's Hit Man Uncredited1955 Night Freight Bartender 1956 Beyond a Reasonable Doubt Clothing Store Clerk 1956 Hot Shots Detective Adams – Arresting Officer Uncredited1957 Monkey on My Back Fight Spectator Uncredited1957 Official Detective Al the Bartender / Beck TV series (US), 2 episodes1965 I'll Take Sweden Man in Bunny Costume Uncredited, (final film role)
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