Columbo
NBC (ended 2003)
Cast & Crew
EDIT
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Peter Falk
Lieutenant Columbo (no first name)
Short, gravelly voiced actor best known for his portrayal of rumpled homicide detective Lt. Columbo in the long-running detective drama. Also had an active and acclaimed film career in the 1960's before taking the role of the rumpled police lieutenant. Falk is still active in films though he hasn't been seen on television in a few years.
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Ken Lerner
Dr Walter Neff
Ken Lerner came to Los Angeles in 1975 after studying in New York with Stella Adler and appearing in off-off Broadway shows. He was immediately, cast in Happy Days, the #1 show in the country, where he preceded to secure recurring roles as tough guy Frankie Bing Bong, Demolition Derby driver Rocko Malacchi, and Fonzie's best friend, Rocko Baruffi. That same month, Ken got the lead in an AFI movie, Hot Tomorrows. The student film effort of director Marty Brest (Scent of A Woman, Beverly Hills Cop), Hot Tomorrows went on to the New York and Los Angeles film festivals, becoming a cult favorite. Ken has continued to work in TV, movies, and commercials for the last 25 years, making his a recognizable face everywhere he goes. He has appeared in more than 50 top television shows, including NYPD Blue, Chicago Hope, ER, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Judging Amy, The Drew Carey Show, Dharma and Greg, Beverly Hills 90210, JAG, LA Law, Family Ties, Newhart, The Commish and Hill Street Blues. Ken's major film roles include Unlawful Entry, the Doctor, The Fabulous Baker Boys, Running Man, The Story of Us, Immediate Family, Irreconcilable Differences, Project X and many others. Ken has also starred in memorable commercials for Snickers, Federal Express, Immodium, McDonald's, Toyota, Delta Airlines, Kitchen Aid and others. Ken's theatrical appearances include the murderous Jonathan in Arsenic and Old Lace at Garry Marshall's Falcon Theater, and the frazzled bureau chief in the West Coast premiere of El Salvador Ken began teaching for his mentor, the late Roy London, who gave Ken the honor of being his first student teacher. Ken has been teaching cold reading and scene study classes for the past 12 years and has helped numerous actors get jobs in movies, TV shows and pilots.moreless -
Obi Ndefo
Nathaniel Murphy
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Maury Sterling
Store Clerk
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Jennifer Sky
Vanessa
Jennifer was born in Florida in 1976, and grew up introverted and chubby. But in her teens she transformed herself into a model, and at age 15 traveled overseas on photo shoots. She pursued the profession full-time once she became sixteen, and graced the covers of dozens of magazines, including Seventeen. She then turned to acting, joining the cast of Disney's Emerald Cove, then guest starring roles in other shows such as SeaQuest before being cast as a regular on General Hospital. She later went on to become the recurring regular character Amarice on Xena, which in turn led to one of her favorites, the title role in the scifi series Cleopatra 2525.
But Jennifer eventually decided to take her life in a new direction, and has since become a successful fashion designer of her own line, as well as author. She married to Alex Band of the rock group The Calling, and while together they split their time between LA and Florida. But in late 2008 they separated, though they continue to do their charity work together.moreless -
Lindsay Crouse
Dr Joan Allenby
Lindsay Ann Crouse was born in New York in 1948. She married actor David Mamet on 21 December 1977 but they divorced in 1990. The couple have 2 children together. She is an excellent character actress of the 1970s, 80s and 90s and has established herself as an outstanding off-Broadway actress.moreless -
Michael Leopard
Bartender
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William Bogert
Randall Thurston
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Pierrino Mascarino
Tuba Player
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Rita Taggart
Mrs. Staplin
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Ruth Gordon
Guest Star
When Ruth Gordon, at the age of 72, won an Oscar for her delightfully sinister supporting performance in Rosemary's Baby (1968), she declared, "I can't tell you how encouraging a thing like this is." It nicely summed up the energy and optimism she displayed over a 70-year career, which began with a 1915 stage debut as Peter Pan and went on to include many now-classic dramatic and comedic stage roles in the likes of "The Country Wife" and "The Matchmaker." Though she had appeared onscreen in Camille (1915) and The Whirl of Life (1916), Gordon's film career began in earnest with roles in Abe Lincoln in Illinois (as Mary Todd), Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bul let (both 1940), and Two-Faced Woman (1941). She married playwright Garson Kanin in 1942; together they wrote a series of acclaimed screenplays that George Cukor directed: A Double Life (1947) and the Spencer Tracy-Katharine Hepburn classics Adam's Rib (1949) and Pat and Mike (1952), all three Oscarnominated, as well as The Marrying Kind (1952). Gordon also wrote The Actress (1953), an adaptation of her own autobiographical play "Years Ago," which starred Jean Simmons in the title role. In the mid 1960s, Gordon took up screen acting once again and got her second wind in no time, picking up an Oscar nomination for her turn in Inside Daisy Clover (1965), and then becoming a sensation in Rosemary's Baby. She followed her Oscarwinning performance with hilarious work in Where's Poppa? (1970), and achieved bona fide "cult" status as Bud Cort's lover in the black comedy Harold and Maude (1971). Gordon worked constantly until her death, appearing in Every Which Way But Loose (1978), Boardwalk (1979), My Bodyguard (1980), and Maxie (1985). She also worked extensively on TV, including an Emmy-winning turn on an episode of "Taxi." She wrote two volumes of autiobiography, "Myself Among Others" (1971) and "My Side" (1976).moreless -
Ruth Gordon
Abigail Mitchell
When Ruth Gordon, at the age of 72, won an Oscar for her delightfully sinister supporting performance in Rosemary's Baby (1968), she declared, "I can't tell you how encouraging a thing like this is." It nicely summed up the energy and optimism she displayed over a 70-year career, which began with a 1915 stage debut as Peter Pan and went on to include many now-classic dramatic and comedic stage roles in the likes of "The Country Wife" and "The Matchmaker." Though she had appeared onscreen in Camille (1915) and The Whirl of Life (1916), Gordon's film career began in earnest with roles in Abe Lincoln in Illinois (as Mary Todd), Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bul let (both 1940), and Two-Faced Woman (1941). She married playwright Garson Kanin in 1942; together they wrote a series of acclaimed screenplays that George Cukor directed: A Double Life (1947) and the Spencer Tracy-Katharine Hepburn classics Adam's Rib (1949) and Pat and Mike (1952), all three Oscarnominated, as well as The Marrying Kind (1952). Gordon also wrote The Actress (1953), an adaptation of her own autobiographical play "Years Ago," which starred Jean Simmons in the title role. In the mid 1960s, Gordon took up screen acting once again and got her second wind in no time, picking up an Oscar nomination for her turn in Inside Daisy Clover (1965), and then becoming a sensation in Rosemary's Baby. She followed her Oscarwinning performance with hilarious work in Where's Poppa? (1970), and achieved bona fide "cult" status as Bud Cort's lover in the black comedy Harold and Maude (1971). Gordon worked constantly until her death, appearing in Every Which Way But Loose (1978), Boardwalk (1979), My Bodyguard (1980), and Maxie (1985). She also worked extensively on TV, including an Emmy-winning turn on an episode of "Taxi." She wrote two volumes of autiobiography, "Myself Among Others" (1971) and "My Side" (1976).moreless -
Michael Horton
Kerry Malone
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Stephen Elliott
General Jack Padget
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Stephen Elliott
Karl Donner
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Michael McGuire
Hugh Caldwell
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George Wendt
Graham McVeigh
George Wendt was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He attended a strict Jesuit prep school and then dropped out of Notre Dame University after a few uneventful years. He worked with the Windy City's famed Second City comedy troupe from 1974-1980. He is best known for playing Norm Peterson on the hit televison series, "Cheers" (1982). He is married to actress Bernadette Birkett, who provided the rare offscreen voice of Vera, Norm's unseen wife, Vera. The couple have two sons and a daughter. They met while working at the Second City in Chicago.moreless -
Steve Schirripa
Freddie
Steve Schirripa was born in Brooklyn, NY - a city noted more for the mob stereotype. But stereotypes, like a wiseguy's alibi, can be misleading. Now a series regular on David Chase's acclaimed HBO drama The Sopranos, the Brooklyn College graduate's acting odyssey began while working at a hotel on the Las Vegas strip. Schirripa can also add published writer to his list of credits. A GOOMBA'S GUILD TO LIFE, published by Clarkson Potter, was a National Bestseller. His new book, THE GOOMBA's BOOK OF LOVE, is in stores now. And he has just closed the Deal to write a third. As entertainment director of The Riviera Hotel, Steve worked with such comedians as Drew Carey, Kevin Pollack and Bruce Baum. His cameo roles in their comedy specials led to episodic work on the small screen, with Steve continually appearing in more productions. Over the past year, he has guest stared on The George Lopez Show, Law and Order, Ed, My Wife and Kids with Damon Wayans, The King of Queens with Kevin James, and a Columbo Movie of the Week. Steve has been a guest on numerous talk shows, including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Today Show, Craig Kilborne, Good Morning America, Fox and Friends Good Day Live, Jimmy Kimmel Live and numerous other national and regional talk and radio shows. A few years ago, while in New York for a wedding, Steve managed to get an audition for The Sopranos. Just as fast as you can say, You want crumbcake? he was cast as Bobby Bacala - Uncle Junior's right hand man. It would be easy to think of this as simply perfect casting, but truth be told, Steve put in many hours doing double duty at the hotel while making time for acting classes. It's fortunate for him that a large Italian man with comic timing was needed. Steve's big screen credentials are as formidable as his portrayal of Bobby Bacala. He's played memorable characters in DETROIT ROCK CITY, FLINTSTONES-VIVA ROCK VEGAS, and has also landed roles in films directed by such notables as Martin Scorsese, CASINO, Terry Gilliam, FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS and Ron Shelton's PLAY IT TO THE BONE. While finishing his fourth season on the award winning David Chase series The Sopranos, Steve has also kept up on his film work; he has just completed shooting the independent feature film STUEY. Schirripa can be heard on several episodes of the A&E series Crime Scenes, which will air early 2004. He can be seen Monday Night Mayhem with John Turturro and opposite David Spade in MEET JOE DIRT. Steven also starred opposite David Arquette in SEE SPOT RUN.moreless -
Michael Bacall
Tommy
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Lorna Scott
Close Friend
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Richard Assad
Abdul
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Richard Riehle
Sgt. Degarmo
Education: University of Notre Dame - cum laude B.A. in 1970 Studied at the John Fernald Academy of Dramatic Art Fluent in German Theater work: "Execution of Justice" - 1986 Broadway debut "The Iceman Cometh" - 1999 revival, as Pat McGloin "The Emperor Jones" - Bay Area Radio's Eugene O'Neill Project, as Smithersmoreless -
Dabney Coleman
Detective Murray
Dabney Coleman was born in Austin Texas in 1932 and was raised in Corpus Christi. Coleman attended both the Virginia Military Institute and the University of Texas school of law before deciding on a career in acting. Coleman also served in the military, with the US Army, Special Service Division before making his film debut in 1965's The Slender Thread. Coleman has been married twice and has one daughter.moreless -
Dabney Coleman
Hugh Creighton
Dabney Coleman was born in Austin Texas in 1932 and was raised in Corpus Christi. Coleman attended both the Virginia Military Institute and the University of Texas school of law before deciding on a career in acting. Coleman also served in the military, with the US Army, Special Service Division before making his film debut in 1965's The Slender Thread. Coleman has been married twice and has one daughter.moreless -
Kenneth Mars
Mike Mars
He is best known for his roles in Mel Brooks films. His earliest job was in The Producers back in 1968 as Franz Liebkind. His other well-known role was as Police Inspector Hans Wilhelm Friedrich Kemp in the 1974 film Young Frankenstein.moreless -
Carlene Watkins
Amy
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Marcia Wallace
Woman
Marcia Wallace, born in Creston, Iowa, played Carol Kester (Bondurant) on The Bob Newhart Show. She later reprised that role in a guest spot on Murphy Brown for which she received an Emmy Award nomination. She later won an Emmy Award for her work as the voice of Mrs. Krabappel on The Simpsons. Wallace studied acting in New York City with the legendary Uta Hagen. She appeared on stage in Hello Dolly, Dark of the Moon, Calling in Crazy and with the off-Broadway group the Fourth Wall. She also did over 50 television commercials. Marcia made numerous appearances on The Merv Griffin Show early in her career and guest starred on The Brady Bunch in the classic episode "Getting Davy Jones." Other guest spots include roles on Columbo, The Love Boat, Taxi, Murder, She Wrote and Magnum, P.I. She has also done numerous films and television movies including The Castaways on Gilligan's Island (1979). Currently Ms. Wallace appears on the Comedy Central series That's My Bush. Marcia is a breast cancer survivor and now lectures on breast cancer prevention and detection, as well as the emotional and medical challenges of fighting the disease.moreless -
Dick Sargent
Himself
Sargent was a trim, handsome man with a longish chin. He played a variety of gawky businessmen roles in feature films before finding a niche in tv history as the second Darrin on "Bewitched". Shortly before his death, Sargent publicly proclaimed he was gay, and became what he called "a retroactive role model" in the battle for gay rights.moreless -
Robert Conrad
Milo Janus
TV tough guy Robert Conrad is perhaps best known as Secret Service Agent James West on The Wild Wild West, but has been seen in numerous TV shows and films throughout his career. His physicality and tough demeanor are forever associated with the actor and the roles he has played. It is this image that is forever immortalized in his memorable series of Eveready battery commercials, wherein a defiant Conrad dared viewers to try to knock a battery off of his shoulder.
Conrad's big break came with a starring role in Hawaiian Eye. That mystery series made him a star and set him up for his most famous role as James West. Conrad starred in Wild Wild West for four seasons, doing most of his own stunts and getting injured on more than one occasion.
After West was canceled, Conrad could be seen in a number of guest roles on TV, including a memorable spot as a murderous exercise guru on Columbo.
Conrad returned to a regular series in a starring role in Baa Baa Black Sheep and would reprise the role of West along with Ross Martin in two Wild Wild West revival movies. In the late 1980s, Conrad got to work with two of his sons, Shane and Christian, on the short-lived series Jesse Hawkes.
Conrad has been out of the public eye since 2003, when he was involved in a terrible car crash. He was driving drunk and crashed head on into another car. Conrad suffered head injuries and neurological damage that left his right hand and arm paralyzed, and slowed his speech. He was convicted of DUI, and sentenced to six months of house arrest, five years probation and alcohol counseling. Aside from occasional public appearances (including an address at the 2004 Republican National Convention) and participation in the DVD release of West's first season, Conrad has been very quiet since his accident.moreless -
Dana Elcar
Falcon
Elcar was known for playing Peter Thornton, a character on the famous TV series, MacGyver. His parents were Danish immigrants. His father was a butcher and his mother was a nanny. He attended the University of Michigan. He joined the United States Navy in 1948. Elcar went blind due to Glaucoma in 1991 and required special computer equipment to read printed text. His blindness was incorporated into his character in MacGyver.moreless
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Categories
Drama, Suspense
Themes
Cerebral, Characters With Hidden Agendas, Corruption, Cultural Phenomenon, Dramedy
