Peter Falk stars as Lieutenant Columbo, the apparent bumbling but brilliant homicide detective. John Finnegan often plays Sgt. Gilmore, and Bruce Kirby plays Sgt. George Kramer.
Main cast
- Lieutenant ColumboPeter Falk1–10 + TV filmsMain
Supporting cast
- Sgt. Arthur GilmoreJohn Finnegan1–3, 5, 7, 9–10Supp
- Sgt. George KramerBruce Kirby3–7, 9–10Supp
- Police Lab Technician #1Bob Dishy1–2, 5, 7Supp
- Mrs. Columbo (unseen, voice only)Shera Danese6–10, TV filmsSupp
- Mike the Chauffeur / various rolesMike Lally2–10Supp
Guest & voice
- Several murderers / suspectsJack Cassidy1, 5, 8Guest
- Several murderers / suspectsWilliam Shatner3, 6, 9Guest
- Several murderers / suspectsLeonard Nimoy2Guest
- Several murderers / suspectsJohn Cassavetes2Guest
- Several murderers / suspectsPatrick McGoohan3, 5, 8Guest
- Several murderers / suspectsDonald Pleasence2Guest
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About this cast
Columbo is an American detective series that originally aired on NBC from 1968 to 1978, with occasional TV films through 2003. The show follows Lieutenant Columbo (Peter Falk), a dishevelled yet shrewd homicide detective for the Los Angeles Police Department, who solves seemingly perfect crimes through his persistent questioning and attention to detail.
FAQs
Who plays Lieutenant Columbo in Columbo?
Peter Falk plays Lieutenant Columbo, the rumpled detective. His performance is the heart of the series.
Was Columbo a UK or US production?
Columbo was an American television series produced by Universal Television for NBC. It was very popular in the UK on ITV.
How many seasons of Columbo are there?
There are 10 original seasons (1968–1978) plus 24 TV movies (1989–2003). The series is often counted as 10 seasons plus specials.
Does Columbo ever say his first name?
No. The character is never given a first name on screen, though some sources list it as ‘Philip’ in early scripts. Peter Falk always referred to him as ‘Columbo’.
Sources & where to watch: IMDb · Wikipedia · Where to watch (JustWatch UK) · Updated June 2026