365 Days of Columbo: January 25th

January 25th is a surprisingly busy day in the Columbo calendar — a pair of guest performers were born on this date, and we also mark the passing of two behind-the-scenes pros who briefly stepped in front of the camera (or behind it). And in 1975, the Golden Globes landed on January 25th with Columbo right in the mix.

Happy birthday Gregory Sierra 

Born January 25th ion Manhattan, New York City, Gregory Sierra is best known outside of Columbo for his sitcom work (notably Barney Miller and Sanford and Son), but Columbo fans will spot him in Season 3’s Publish or Perish in a small role as Detective Lou D’Allessandro. 

He passed away, January 4th, 2021, in Laguna Woods, CA. 

Bill Hickman (born January 25, 1921)

Born January 25th, 1921 Bill Hickman was a legendary stunt driver (Bullitt, The French Connection, The Seven-Ups) who also popped up as an actor. Columbo fans get a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameo from him in Season 1’s Death Lends a Hand, where he plays the traffic cop who pulls Columbo over.

He passed away February 24th, 1986.  

In Memoriam

Dick Crockett (died January 25, 1979)

Dick Crockett wore a lot of hats in Hollywood — actor, stunt performer/coordinator, and director — and he’s particularly associated with the films of Blake Edwards. He appeared very briefly as a policeman in Season 2’s Requiem for a Falling Star.

Wallace Chadwell (died January 25, 2000)

Wallace Chadwell had a long career in film and television, and Columbo fans may recognize him in Étude in Black as the TV director working the broadcast of Alex Benedict’s concert.

January 25, 1975: Columbo at the Golden Globes

The 32nd Golden Globe Awards were held on January 25, 1975 — right in the middle of Columbo’s original NBC run. That year, Columbo was nominated for Best Television Series – Drama, and Peter Falk was nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Drama.

Neither took home the trophy that night (Upstairs, Downstairs won the drama-series prize, and Telly Savalas won Best Actor – Drama for Kojak), but it’s a nice snapshot of the era: Columbo, Kojak, Police Story, and The Streets of San Francisco all competing for the same prestige-TV oxygen.

If you’ve got a favorite “January 25th” Columbo-adjacent detail — a filming tidbit, a broadcast memory, or a background-player spot — drop it in the comments. These calendar posts are always better when fans compare notes.