Lieutenant Frank Columbo is the main character in the American detectivecrime drama television seriesColumbo created byRichard Levinson andWilliam Link. Columbo is a shrewd and exceptionally observant homicide detective who often disguises his aptitude with his inelegant, shambling manner; trademarks of hisblue-collar ethos include his rumpled beige raincoat, cigar and relentless investigative approach.^[1]

Columbo
Columbo character
Peter Falk as Columbo, 1973
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)

Columbo first appeared in a 1960 episode ofThe Chevy Mystery Show titled "Enough Rope", wherein he was portrayed byBert Freed.^[2] After this, the character was portrayed almost entirely byPeter Falk, who appeared in the role from 1968 through 2003.^[1]

Levinson and Link have said that the character was based on theCrime and Punishment characterPorfiry Petrovich.^[3][4]Roger Ebert claimed that Columbo's character was also influenced by InspectorFichet from the French suspense-thriller filmLes Diaboliques.^[5]

Columbo's signaturecatchphrase, "just one more thing", originated when Levinson and Link were writing a scene in which Columbo interrogated a criminal before leaving his apartment. The scene was too short, however, and they could not add conversation into the middle of the scene as they were using a typewriter, and that would require rewriting the scene from the beginning. They decided to fix this by having Columbo stick his head back through the door and say "just one more thing" as if he had forgotten something.^[4]

Columbo's first name is never mentioned in dialogue, although the name "Frank Columbo" is briefly visible on pieces of identification in a few episodes.^[6] Due to Columbo's first name being obscure in the show, author Fred L. Worth intentionally included afictitious entry inThe Trivia Encyclopedia, falsely claiming that the character's first name was "Philip" in order to catchcopyright infringement of the book. This incorrect trivium was reused inTrivial Pursuit, causing Worth to sue the game's publishers. The lawsuit was dismissed by the judge.^[7]

Frank Columbo is anItalian American police lieutenant for theLos Angeles Police Department.^[8] He is originally fromNew York, and mentions having been a member of the NYPD's 12th Precinct, working under a Sgt. Gilhooley.

Having moved to Los Angeles at some point, Columbo investigates elaborate murders committed by intelligent criminals who are often members ofhigh society. With his high intelligence and keen eye for detail, Columbo usually suspects the true killer soon after investigating the scene of the crime. During the rest of the investigation, Columbo relies on his unassuming personality and seemingly clumsy manner to ingratiate himself with the suspect. Often, the suspect eventually confesses after Columbo reveals small but highly incriminating details he has discovered about the crime. Columbo classically drives an old beat-upPeugeot 403 car,^[9][10][11] which sometimes helps lull suspects into a false sense of security about the detective's competence. He does not carry a gun, and in later episodes is occasionally accompanied by abasset hound he called "Dog".

Information about Columbo's life outside of his police work is scarce and revealed through his rambling anecdotes, although these anecdotes can't be taken at face value. Columbo admits in one episode that he will sometimes exaggerate the interests of -- or simply make up -- relatives in conversation, in order to better bond with potential crime suspects. Most frequently, Columbo refers to his wife ("the Mrs."), who is anunseen character in the show. However, others report seeing her and talking to her, and she is clearly one relative who is not a figment of Columbo's imagination. She later received a spin-off show calledMrs. Columbo, although thecanonicity of this show is disputed.^[12] In that show, her name was Kate; Columbo never mentioned her first name on his own show.

Falk appeared in character as Lt. Columbo on the July 2, 1978 episode ofThe Dean Martin Celebrity Roast, roastingFrank Sinatra. Columbo was introduced as a guest, invited because years earlier, he had been passing by a Sinatra album cover photo shoot. At Frank's suggestion, Columbo had loaned his raincoat to Sinatra, which was used in the final cover image. Columbo spent much of his time on stage getting an autograph from Sinatra, which was made out to Columbo's wife Rose. Though Falk was definitely in character as Columbo through the entire bit, the canonicity of this appearance -- especially with regard to Columbo's wife's name -- is open to question.

In a 2001 poll conducted byChannel 4 in the UK, Columbo was ranked 18th on their list of the100 Greatest TV Characters.^[13] He was also listed byParade as one of the "greatest TV cops of all time",^[6] andThe Independent described him as "an enduring TV icon".^[4]

In 2014, a bronze sculptural work with life-sized statues of Columbo and his dog, by the sculptorGéza Dezső Fekete [hu] was erected in Miksa Falk Street,Budapest.^[14] An urban legend states that the Hungarian politician and journalistMiksa Falk and Peter Falk were distant relatives, although this is untrue.^[15]

• List of fictional police detectives