Columbo (character)
Columbo or Lieutenant Columbo is the main character in the American detective crime drama television series Columbo created by Richard Levinson and William Link. The character is a shrewd but inelegant blue-collar homicide detective whose trademarks include his shambling manner, rumpled beige raincoat, cigar and off-putting, relentless investigative approach.
| Columbo | |
|---|---|
| Columbo character | |
Peter Falk as Columbo c. 1971 | |
| First appearance | "Enough Rope" (1960) |
| Last appearance | "Columbo Likes the Nightlife" (2003) |
| Created by | Richard Levinson William Link |
| Portrayed by | Bert Freed (1960, TV) Thomas Mitchell (1962, stage) Peter Falk (1968–2003, TV) Dirk Benedict (2010, stage) John Guerrasio (2011, stage) |
| Catchphrases |
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| In-universe information | |
| Occupation | Lieutenant (police) |
| Family |
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| Spouse | Mrs. Columbo (unseen character) |
| Children | At least 1 |
| Relatives | Andy Parma (nephew) Vito (cousin) |
| Nationality | American |
Columbo is portrayed almost entirely by Peter Falk, who appeared in the role from 1968 through 2003. Columbo's first name was never used in dialogue, although the name "Frank Columbo" is visible on pieces of identification in various episodes. (When asked directly what Columbo's first name was, Falk jokingly replied with "Lieutenant.")
Levinson and Link have said that the character was partially inspired by the Crime and Punishment character Porfiry Petrovich as well as G. K. Chesterton's humble cleric-detective Father Brown. Other sources claim Columbo's character is also influenced by Inspector Fichet from the French suspense-thriller film Les Diaboliques (1955). In a 2001 poll conducted by Channel 4 in the UK, Columbo was ranked 18th on their list of the 100 Greatest TV Characters.