Costas was born on Boxing Day in Saint John, New Brunswick, where his parents operated "Nick's Coffee Counter". The busy short-order restaurant was the perfect training ground for public broadcasting as Costas met people from all walks of life and read all the latest newspapers, magazines, paperbacks and comic books for free.

Costas studied physics at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, but after earning a B.Sc., he returned to take a year of Arts courses. If the St. F.X. Jazz Program had been offered back then, he'd probably have ended up playing in a smoky club 'Round midnight instead of hosting a radio show 'Round Noon.

Costas began freelancing for CBC Radio in the mid-70s and was hired as a producer in Saint John in 1978. In 1982,he began hosting the local 4-6 show. From 1985-87, he worked with CBC Radio in Quebec City. Aside from duties on the daily shows, he wrote and hosted the network program Radio Active, which showcased music and performers of the Francophone world.

Costas made the return trip to the East Coast in 1987, and has been living happily ever after with the Maritime Noon team. He's been a guest host on such network programs as Cross-Country Checkup, As It Happens and Media File. In the run-up to the 2004 Olympics, he wrote & presented ten documentaries on contemporary Greece.

He loves pickup basketball, playing bass with The BBQ Kings (a rootsy, rockin' dance band) and tending his grapevines in downtown Dartmouth.