Columbo Makes the Cover
On August 14th, 1976, Peter Falk’s Columbo graced the cover of TV Guide, in a memorable illustration by legendary caricaturist Al Hirschfeld. The accompanying article looked at Falk’s sometimes contentious negotiations with NBC over salary and his desire for more creative control—including opportunities to direct.
That makes 2026 the 50th anniversary of the issue.
Happy Birthday Tad Horino
Actor Tad Horino was born August 14th, 1921 in Seattle, Washington. Columbo fans will recognize him as gardener Ando Miaki in 1991’s Columbo and the Murder of a Rock Star.
Horino had a lengthy career as a character actor, with appearances in everything from M*A*S*H and Kung Fu to Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey and Red Sonja. He passed away in 2002 at age 81.
Remembering Bruno Kirby
August 14th also marks the anniversary of the death of Bruno Kirby, who passed away on this date in 2006 at just 57 years old from complications of leukemia.
Kirby appeared in one of Columbo’s finest outings, By Dawn’s Early Light, playing Cadet Morgan. In a nice bit of family trivia, his father, Bruce Kirby, appeared in the very same episode.
Bruno Kirby went on to become one of Hollywood’s most recognizable character actors, with memorable roles in The Godfather Part II, Good Morning, Vietnam, When Harry Met Sally... and City Slickers.
Remembering Philip Saltzman
Television writer and producer Philip Saltzman died on August 14th, 2009 at the age of 80. Saltzman was best known for his long association with Barnaby Jones, but he also played a part in Columbo’s 1989 revival.
Saltzman served as a supervising producer on five of the 1989 Columbo installments, helping shepherd the Lieutenant through his successful return to television after more than a decade away.
Remembering Morris Buchanan
Character actor Morris Buchanan died on August 14th, 2014. He made two small Columbo appearances: as the lab man in A Deadly State of Mind and as the second detective in Old Fashioned Murder.
Remembering Gena Rowlands
And finally, August 14th, 2024 brought the loss of acclaimed actress Gena Rowlands at the age of 94.
Rowlands memorably played Elizabeth Van Wick in 1975’s Playback, opposite Oskar Werner’s murderous electronics genius Harold Van Wick.
Her Columbo connection went deeper than that one appearance. Rowlands was married to Peter Falk’s close friend and frequent collaborator John Cassavetes—himself one of the series’ most celebrated murderers as conductor Alex Benedict in Étude in Black.
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