Columbo's Basset Hound (2024)

Columbo's Basset Hound (1)

Most of us really liked Columbo, the TV detective without a first name, but we loved his Basset Hound, also apparently without a name beyond, “Dog.” The rumpled policeman once said, “He’s a dog, so we call him Dog.”

In “real” life, the actor who portrayed Columbo, Peter Falk, wasn’t keen on having a dog as an occasional co-star, but NBC insisted, and Falk relented after seeing “Henry,” the Basset Hound who would play “Dog.” “Columbo” wasn’t Henry’s first rodeo, so to speak. He played a firehouse dog named “Henry” in “Emergency,” but his role on Columbo as the “ice cream eating, TV watching, frequent-guest-in-the-neighbor’s-swimming pool” dog earned him (and his breed) a lot of fans.

Like his character, Henry was found at an animal pound in Burbank, California by his trainer, Ray Berwick, but after his Hollywood days were over, Henry lived out his life as a beloved pet and ultimately passed away of old age.

Columbo's Basset Hound (2024)

FAQs

What happened to the Basset Hound in Columbo? ›

But he wouldn't reappear until Season 5's Now You See Him – funnily enough another episode featuring Dog. Although the relationship between Columbo and Dog was wonderfully warm and genuine, having a dog on set did cause some low-level difficulties. Sadly the first incarnation of Dog died and had to be replaced.

Was the Basset Hound on Columbo his Dog? ›

The Basset Hound who played Dog was named Henry. He also was a rescue dog from a Los Angeles pound, and if he looks familiar, it is because he played Henry the dog in Emergency!

What was Columbo catch phrase? ›

When fans hear Lieutenant Columbo's trademark phrase “just one more thing…” we know he's about to crack the case wide open. The unconventional detective, played brilliantly by Peter Falk, first appeared on our screens in 1968.

Is there a case Columbo didn't solve? ›

8) Did Columbo ever lose a case? Columbo always figured out who committed the murder -- usually within his first few minutes at the crime scene, but occasionally after more prolonged puzzlement, as in Columbo Cries Wolf.

Was Mrs Columbo murdered? ›

Mrs Columbo, of course, is alive and well. Columbo never even gave her the marmalade in the first place because he suspected Vivian's ill intent and had it checked by the forensics team. He's been onto her from the start and her bid for revenge never had a chance of success.

What breed of Dog did Columbo own? ›

(Despite the article, he was never known as J J Morgan). In the television series Columbo, Lieutenant Columbo owns a Basset Hound named Dog.

Who is the most famous Basset Hound? ›

One the most famous bassets on television was Flash, the dog owned by Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane in the 1980s TV series The Dukes of Hazzard .

Who turned down Columbo? ›

4. Bing Crosby was considered for the role of Columbo. The famous crooner was thought to be a perfect fit for the role of Columbo in the early conception of the series by its creators. Crosby ended up turning down the role, not wanting to be tied down to a network television schedule.

What star appeared the most on Columbo? ›

Patrick McGoohan played a Columbo murderer more times than any other actor – four times.

Did Columbo smoke in real life? ›

Columbo handles and works his prop cigar to perfection, like a man born to the art – so it's a bit surprising that in real life, Peter Falk is not a cigar man. Falk is a lifelong cigarette smoker, who enjoys a cigar just occasionally.

Did they ever reveal Columbo's first name? ›

What is Lieutenant Columbo's first name? Columbo's first name is never explicitly revealed in the series. However, when Columbo flashes his badge in the episode "Dead Weight" (Season 1 Episode 3), the name 'Frank' can clearly be seen on his ID.

Did Columbo ever drink alcohol? ›

When it comes to casual boozing, Columbo was in a world of its own. In the 70s especially, the show was simply awash with booze. Every villain seemed to have a well-stocked bar within arm's reach at any time – and they all seemed to make ruddy good use of them, too.

How many murders in Columbo? ›

Over the course of its 69 outings, Columbo dished up an impressive 92 fatalities – that's an average of 1.33 corpses per episode.

Does Columbo's wife ever show up? ›

The miracle of Mrs Columbo is that although she is never seen or heard, she makes her presence felt throughout "Columbo". Without ever showing her face, she remains a major character in the show, capturing our imagination and affection. Her success is a testament to the power of good writing in "Columbo".

How much was Columbo worth at death? ›

The star, who passed away at his home in Beverly Hills on Thursday night, set up a trust fund years before he was formally diagnosed with Alzheimers disease, according to Radar. The estate is said to be worth around $5 million dollars. 'Peter left the bulk of his estate to Shera,' a source told the showbiz website.

Was Columbo a womanizer? ›

“He was an incorrigible philanderer,” says Lertzman. “On every film set he was pursuing other women. Alyce turned a blind eye to his infidelities but it hurt and finally she had enough.” They divorced in 1976 and the next year Falk married his longtime mistress, actress Shera Danese, 22 years his junior.

Why was Columbo cancelled? ›

Despite being off screens since May 1978, when The Conspirators drew the curtain on Columbo's first decade, the show was never officially cancelled. Negotiations between Falk and the studio simply petered out. Columbo was quietly discontinued, but the will was still there to keep him alive in some capacity.

What is Lt Columbo's wife's first name? ›

Kate Columbo, wife of the famous lieutenant, solves crimes as a reporter, while raising her little daughter. Mrs. Kate Columbo, wife of the famous lieutenant, solves crimes as a reporter, while raising her little daughter. Mrs.

Did Elvis have a Basset Hound? ›

Elvis had a number of dogs over the years. He had a Basset Hound named Sherlock, Great Danes named Brutus and Snoopy, and Edmund, a Pomeranian he gave to his aunt Delta, because the two bonded so quickly.

Are there 2 types of Basset hounds? ›

The American basset hound is the same as the European basset hound, except for the fact that it was recognized as an official Breed by the AKC much later than the European basset hound. The primary difference between the American basset hound and the European basset hound lies in their ancestry and breeding.

Can Basset hounds swim? ›

No, basset hounds do not like water. Like many other dog breeds, basset hounds have physical limitations that prevent them from swimming properly. These dogs have short legs and a dense bone structure. Because of such limitations, their ability to swim like many other dog breeds is almost always put to the test.

Who is the most famous dog ever? ›

9 Most Famous Dogs In History
  1. Toto – Cairn Terrier. Undeniably the most famous dog in history is Toto. ...
  2. Lassie - Rough Collie. ...
  3. Scooby Doo – Great Dane. ...
  4. Rin Tin Tin – German Shepherd. ...
  5. Balto – Siberian Husky. ...
  6. Sinbad, the Sailor dog – Mixed Breed. ...
  7. Trakr - German Shepherd. ...
  8. Nemo – German Shepherd.
Dec 9, 2022

Why are basset Hounds so special? ›

A Basset Hound is a sturdy dog with lots of stamina, which means he can keep up with energetic and active children. A Basset Hound is friendly and outgoing. A Basset Hound loves to be around people, including children. A Basset Hound has an easygoing nature.

What celebrity owns a Basset Hound? ›

Chrissy Teigen and John Legend welcome Pearl the Basset Hound to their household.

What is considered the best Columbo episode? ›

The 25 best episodes of 'Columbo', ranked
  • 1 of 25. “A Matter of Honor” NBC. ...
  • 2 of 25. “Rest in Peace, Mrs. Columbo” ...
  • 3 of 25. “An Exercise in Fatality” NBC. ...
  • 4 of 25. “Requiem for a Falling Star” NBC. ...
  • 5 of 25. “Forgotten Lady” NBC. ...
  • 6 of 25. “Make Me a Perfect Murder” NBC. ...
  • 7 of 25. “Now You See Him…” NBC. ...
  • 8 of 25. “Lovely but Lethal” NBC.
Dec 30, 2022

How much did Peter Falk get paid for Columbo? ›

Falk was rumored to be earning $300,000 per episode when he returned for Season 6 of Columbo in 1976. This doubled to $600,000 per episode when the series made its comeback in 1989.

Did Peter Falk remember Columbo? ›

Peter Falk was diagnosed with dementia in 2007. By 2009, two years before his death, his doctor had reported that his condition had deteriorated to the point that Falk did not recognize photos of himself as the character nor had any recollection of ever playing Columbo.

Who was the best villain on Columbo? ›

No Columbo-phile could neglect the three-time villain, Jack Cassidy (father of David) in their Best Of lists. Appearing as the primary antagonist in "Murder By The Book," "Publish or Perish," and "Now You See Him," Cassidy is the bad guy we love to hate.

What was the very last Columbo episode? ›

A very young Matthew Rhys ("The Americans") is one of the stars of the final "Columbo," "Columbo Likes the Nightlife" from 2003.

How old was Columbo when he died? ›

Columbo, a character he played on television for more than 30 years, died June 23 at his home in Beverly Hills, Calif., according to a family statement. He was 83 and had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

Why did Columbo always wear a trench coat? ›

In one of his "Columbo" novels, author William Harrington has Columbo explaining that he always wears the raincoat because it acts as a sort of portable desk or filing system, allowing Columbo to carry around his daily accumulation of clues and paraphernalia, without having to switch everything from the pockets of one ...

What song does Columbo always whistle? ›

Columbo also featured an unofficial signature tune, the children's song "This Old Man". It was introduced in the episode "Any Old Port in a Storm" in 1973 and the detective can be heard humming or whistling it often in subsequent films.

How much was Columbo's car sold for? ›

In 1910 the company opened its plant at Sochaux, France, where the cars are still made today. Columbo's car, the Peugeot 403, was introduced in 1955, selling in England for 1,129 pounds. It was an immediate best seller.

Who poisoned Columbo? ›

He makes himself toast with marmalade. While Columbo pretends to be dying of poison, Dimitri confesses to all three murders. He then breaks character, and tells her that he'd suspected her all along, and had the marmalade tested as soon as she gave it to him.

What does the name Columbo mean? ›

Columbo Origin and Meaning

The name Columbo is boy's name of Latin origin meaning "dove". Grandmas will remember the old TV detective show; playmates won't. This is a name that has many variations in different cultures, from Columbus to Columba to Colum to Colm.

Did Columbo carry a gun? ›

Peter Falk (1927-2011) was an American actor who is best known as Det. Lt. Columbo in the television series Columbo, a role he portrayed for over 30 years and where the character rarely carried a firearm.

What was Columbo's favorite meal? ›

Perhaps eating chile peppers is the culinary expression of an adventurous spirit and a fun-seeking nature." It is established very early, in one of the "Columbo" pilot movies, that Columbo is a dedicated chili-head.

Does Columbo have ADHD? ›

James Linton on Twitter: "Columbo definitely had adhd, he is my spirit animal.

Where is Columbo's accent from? ›

First, there is Columbo's accent, and his ethnicity. His speech patterns are clearly those of an eastern urban center, most likely New York, and his Italian heritage, while certainly not unique to one place, would be consistent with growing up in pre-war New York City.

What police rank was Columbo? ›

In Uneasy Lies the Crown released in 1990, Columbo tells a colleague that he has been "on the force" (presumably meaning the LAPD) for 22 years, which would suggest that he began his career on the LAPD as a lieutenant in the homicide department, having never worked as a uniformed officer for that police force.

Did Columbo have a child? ›

In "RIP, Mrs Columbo" he claims he and his wife never had any children.

Why doesn t Columbo wear a wedding ring? ›

In their minds, Columbo was more likely to be a bachelor who lived alone and was married to his work. He never wears a wedding ring, for one thing. Levinson and Link wanted Columbo to be a mysterious figure.

Why did Mrs Columbo change her name? ›

After poor ratings and reception from both audiences and the original producers of Columbo, both the series and the eponymous character herself were renamed in an attempt to change direction, but this did not help ratings and the series was ultimately canceled in March 1980 after 13 episodes had aired.

Did Columbo own the dog? ›

Columbo never had a partner, but he did not work alone. In the season two premiere, "Etude in Black," the disheveled detective adopts an adorable Basset hound from the pound. Being a responsible pet owner, Columbo takes the pooch to the veterinarian for shots.

What was Columbo's disability? ›

Colombo was diagnosed with spinal meningitis at the age of 7, resulting in a complete loss of hearing and paralysis in his legs. His family encouraged him to learn to swim to strengthen his legs, and within a year he was able to walk again.

How many cars were used in Columbo? ›

During Columbo's second run, Falk and ABC collected three 403 convertibles for series use, one of them a 1960. Peter Falk was blind in his right eye, losing it to cancer at age three.

What happened Columbo's Dog? ›

Like his character, Henry was found at an animal pound in Burbank, California by his trainer, Ray Berwick, but after his Hollywood days were over, Henry lived out his life as a beloved pet and ultimately passed away of old age.

Who turned down the role for Columbo? ›

4. Bing Crosby was considered for the role of Columbo. The famous crooner was thought to be a perfect fit for the role of Columbo in the early conception of the series by its creators. Crosby ended up turning down the role, not wanting to be tied down to a network television schedule.

Why was Mrs Columbo Cancelled? ›

After poor ratings and reception from both audiences and the original producers of Columbo, both the series and the eponymous character herself were renamed in an attempt to change direction, but this did not help ratings and the series was ultimately canceled in March 1980 after 13 episodes had aired.

Did Columbo ever name his Dog? ›

"Étude in Black" (1972) marked the first appearance of the lieutenant's basset hound, named "Dog". "Dog" came to be an occasional regular character in the films. Columbo considered names like "Fido", "Munch" and "Beethoven" but ultimately settled on "Dog".

What was the real name of Columbo's Dog? ›

Well, no murder was involved, but Henry, the canine actor who played Dog, came from a shelter. Animal trainer Ray Berwick, the man who wrangled hundred of crows for Alfred Hitchco*ck's The Birds, rescued Henry from the Burbank animal shelter.

Did they ever show Columbo's wife? ›

The miracle of Mrs Columbo is that although she is never seen or heard, she makes her presence felt throughout "Columbo". Without ever showing her face, she remains a major character in the show, capturing our imagination and affection. Her success is a testament to the power of good writing in "Columbo".

What was Peter Falk's favorite Columbo? ›

Falk's own favorite Columbo episodes were "Any Old Port in a Storm", "Forgotten Lady", "Now You See Him" and "Identity Crisis".

Who was first choice for Columbo? ›

According to the show's co-writer-creator William Link, Bing Crosby was first offered the role of Columbo. However, citing the fact that he didn't want to commit to a TV series, he refused the role. He also said, jokingly, that doing the series would interfere with his golf game.

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