365 Days of Columbo: June 17th

Happy birthday to our favorite nurse, Susan Damante! 

Susan Jean Damante was born on June 17, 1950, in Palo Alto, California. She attended Woodside High School and Canada College. After graduation, she entered the Miss America Pageant and was the first runner-up to Miss California.

Columbo fans remember her as Melissa, the smoking cruise ship nurse in Troubled Waters.

Beyond Columbo

Susan made her debut with a featured role in the film, "The Candidate" (1972), with Robert Redford. She then moved to Hollywood and studied with Milton Katselas at the Beverly Hills Playhouse. Her biggest break came with her starring role in "The Adventures of the Wilderness Family" (1975) and its two sequels.

She was married to Larry Shaw from 1974 to 2004, and they have two children, Vinessa Shaw and Natalie Shaw, both of whom are actresses. Susan has been living with Crohn's disease.

I don't think 'Happy Birthday' is Dominic Doyle's style

William Lucking was born on June 17, 1941, in Vicksburg, Michigan. He has appeared in numerous notable productions, showcasing his talent in both drama and action genres. He is perhaps best recognized for his roles in "Sons of Anarchy," "The Rundown," and "Red Dragon." 

Columbo fans will remember him as Dominic Doyle, ex-con brother of security guard Joe Doyle in Columbo Goes to College.

He passed away on October 18, 2021 at his home in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Happy birthday to Tom Simcox!

Tom Simcox was born Thomas William Simcox on June 17, 1937, in Medford, New Jersey. His career began in 1962 with an appearance in the police procedural series "Naked City," followed by a role in the medical drama "Ben Casey." Simcox's film debut came in 1964 with "The Ghost of Sierra de Cobre," and he continued to make his mark with a role as Lt. Johnson in the 1965 film "Shenandoah." 

He is perhaps best known to Columbo fans as petulant victim William Haynes in the 1974 episode By Dawn's Early Light opposite Patrick McGoohan. 

Beyond Columbo

Throughout his career, Simcox guest-starred in numerous popular television programs, including "Gunsmoke," "Bonanza," "Hawaii Five-O," and "Ironside." His final acting credit was in the 1991 remake of "Dragnet," titled "The New Dragnet."