365 Days of Columbo: June 3rd

You know who else likes champagne? Raymond!

Maurice Evans was an English actor born on June 3, 1901, in Dorchester, Dorset, England. He was celebrated for his Shakespearean roles and his performances on both stage and screen. His career spanned from 1926 to 1983, and he is remembered for his eloquent portrayals of characters such as Hamlet, Richard II, and Iago with the Old Vic Company.

Evans’ filmography includes notable roles such as Dr. Zaius in the 1968 film “Planet of the Apes” and appearances on the television series “Bewitched.” 

Of course he's known to Columbo fans as Raymond, the butler, in Forgotten Lady

Fun fact: In the episode, Raymond the butler and Alma the maid are supposed to be married. In real life Evans was 42 years older than Linda Gaye Scott, who played Alma.

Maurice Evans passed away on March 12, 1989, in Rottingdean, East Sussex, England.

Happy birthday Ed Winter

Edward Dean Winter was born on June 3, 1937, in Ventura, California. He is best remembered for his role as the paranoid and conspiracy-driven Colonel Samuel Flagg in the iconic television series **M*A*S*H**, which he played from 1973 to 1979.

Winter began his acting career as a member of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, Oregon, where he played roles such as Claudius in Hamlet. His early successes on Broadway were marked by two Tony Award nominations for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his performances in Cabaret (1966) and Promises, Promises (1968).

His television career was diverse, including roles in Project U.F.O., Hollywood Beat, 9 to 5 and Herman's Head. Winter also appeared in films like A Change of Seasons (1980), Porky's II: The Next Day (1983), and The Buddy System (1984). 

Columbo fans know him as chauvenistic realtor, and murder victim, Charlton Chambers in Rest in Peace, Mrs. Columbo.

He passed away on March 8, 2001, in Woodland Hills, California.