John Finnegan

 John P. "J.P." Finnegan was born August 18, 1926 in New York City was a familiar face on Columbo appearing in THIRTEEN episodes. That's more than anybody other than the legendary Michael Lally and, of course Peter Falk himself.

Born to Irish immigrant parents, Finnegan was one of eleven children. His early life was marked by service to his country, as he enlisted in the United States Navy during World War II. After his military service, he pursued his passion for acting, which led him to the Actors Studio in New York City. It was there that he forged lifelong friendships with fellow actors John Cassavetes and Peter Falk.

That friendship with Falk was undoubtedly the reason he became such a fixture on Columbo.

Blueprint for Murder

Finnegan made his debut in Blueprint for Murder in a fairly minor role as "Carl" the construction foreman.

Given his friendship with Falk it's no surprise Finnegan would appear in the episode that Falk directed.

The Most Dangerous Match

He was once again wearing a hard hat as the workman who shows Columbo how the grinder works in The Most Dangerous Match.

It was a pretty small role, but he did give Columbo the key clue that broke the case.

Lovely but Lethal

Many of Finnegan's roles were as a cop and the first of them was as a sergeant in Lovely but Lethal.

A Friend in Deed

Finnegan got his first big Columbo role as Burglary Lt. Duffy in A Friend in Deed.

He appears quite a bit in this episode and is there for the primo gotcha at the end.

Last Salute to the Commodore

Finnegan might have been grateful to have only a small role as the security guard in the quirky Last Salute to the Commodore.

Fade in to Murder

Finnegan played a crew member on the set of Lt. Lucerne's show in Fade in to Murder. Columbo encounters him when he stumbles, literally, into Ward Fowler's scene.

It's one of Finnegan's least significant roles.

Columbo Cries Wolf

It was 14 years before Finnegan's next appearance, a decent role as the police chief in Columbo Cries Wolf.

Uneasy Lies the Crown

Finnegan started a string of food service roles as a waiter in Uneasy Lies the Crown. He doesn't appear until very late in the episode, and once again his character is providing a key concept that leads Columbo to the solution - time release coating on the poison!

Columbo and the Murder of a Rock Star

Finnegan was briefly back on the force as Chief Corbett in Columbo and the Murder of a Rock Star.

It's All in the Game

For It's All in the Game he could only cook steak, but it's the best in town.

He appeared in a few scenes in this one, acting a bit as Columbo's conscience regarding his conduct with Ms. Dunaway.

Strange Bedfellows

He was back to play Barney in Strange Bedfellows.

Serving up 9 year old chili to the Lieutenant and Sgt Kramer (Bruce Kirby).

A Trace of Murder

Finnegan was back as Barney, the proprietor that Columbo overexplained the case to in A Trace of Murder.

Columbo Likes the Nightlife

Given his long history with Falk and Columbo it seemed fitting that he was back for the finale. Playing homeowner Sean Jarvis in Columbo Likes the Nightfife. 

Beyond Columbo

Finnegan's career spanned over three decades, beginning in the 1970s. He was a frequent collaborator with Cassavetes, appearing in five of his films, including A Woman Under the Influence (1974) and Gloria (1980). His filmography also includes notable works such as The Natural (1984), where he played Sam Simpson, and JFK (1991), in which he portrayed Judge Edward A. Haggerty.

In addition to his live-action roles, Finnegan lent his voice to the villainous character Warren T. Rat in Don Bluth’s animated film An American Tail (1986). 

He passed away on July 29, 2012, in Palm Desert, California, from complications of pneumonia.