If you’ve watched enough classic-era Columbo, you start noticing a special category of performer: the familiar face who pops up in the background, says a line or two, and somehow makes the world feel real. Mickey Golden was one of the best at that. He rarely takes center stage—but he made a dozen Columbo appearances in seasons 1 through 7.
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Golden was a New York–born character actor (born November
23, 1909, in Brooklyn) who worked steadily in film and television for decades. On-screen he specialized in the
kinds of people you’d actually bump into in these stories: a reporter, a
spectator, a party guest, a cop—faces you trust because they look like they
belong there.
On Columbo, much like the legendary Michael Lally, he’s one of those repeat players who turns up so
often that spotting him becomes part of the fun. In fact, once he turns up standing right next to Michael Lally!
So let's take a look at where you'll spot him.
Suitable for Framing
In Suitable for Framing, Mickey is a detective at the murder scene, you'll see him in the background quite a bit as they're dusting for prints. He's there when Dale arrives and you'll see him in shots with Columbo and Kingston and others for a minute or two as they move about the scene.
Lady in Waiting
In Lady in Waiting he's one of the executives in Beth's reorganization meeting. You'll see him standing right behind Peter as they're about to take their seats, and then sitting two seats to the left of the fellow who argues briefly with Beth during the meeting.
The Most Crucial Game
In The Most Crucial Game you get a pretty good look at Mickey. He's at the basketball practice sitting just behind the fellow who Columbo asks about his shoes.
The Most Dangerous Match
In The Most Dangerous Match, Mickey is one of the reporters who greets Mr. Clayton as he gets off the elevator at the beginning, and walks with him through the lobby.
Candidate for Crime
In Candidate for Crime he's one of Hayward's posse of campaign guys, working in the background alongside folks like the legendary Michael Lally. In fact...you'll find him standing right next to Lally when Columbo comes to the Hayward house.
Double Exposure
In the very next episode, Double Exposure, Mickey is toting Bart Keppel's golf clubs in the golf scene.
Mind Over Mayhem
And two episodes later, in Mind Over Mayhem, Mickey is a detective. You have to wait until the end to see him, he comes in with Columbo to spring the Gotcha - the frame-up of Neil that gets Marshall to confess.
A Friend in Deed
An Exercise in Fatality
He's a bit easier to spot in Season 4's opener, An Exercise in Fatality. He's sitting next to Columbo in the hospital waiting room when Columbo confronts Milo. In fact, he gives Columbo a book of matches to light his cigar.
Negative Reaction
The very next episode is Negative Reaction. Mickey is one of the coroners loading Frances into the wagon at the ranch. He *MIGHT* be doing double duty though, later in the episode when Galesko is having an exhibit at a gallery, there's a man walking around in the crowd who looks a lot like Mickey and might be him there too.
The Conspirators
We don't see him again until season 7, and, in fact, the final episode of season 7: The Conspirators. And he's not easy to spot here. He's sitting behind the donation barrel at the party where Joe Devlin is performing. You'll see him right in the opening scene, and you'll catch a couple of glimpses a few minutes later when we have a longer scene of Devlin performing (but it's clearly the same party).
And maybe...
Beyond Columbo
Outside the Lieutenant’s world, Golden’s credits stretch
back to Hollywood’s studio era and run right through the 1970s. He turns up in
a parade of TV staples—westerns, crime shows, and anthology series—and he even
has uncredited bits in big-screen classics. If you ever find yourself watching
an older movie and thinking, “Wait… that guy looks familiar,” there’s a decent
chance it’s Mickey Golden.
He passed away March 30th, 2001, at the age of 91.
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