The "Real" Mrs. Columbo: Shera Danese | Echoes of Columbo

Other than his "real" first name being Frank, is there a better-known piece of "Columbo" trivia than this: sassy, oft-appearing actress Shera Danese is Peter Falk's real-life wife? But beyond that, what is her legacy among Columboneers? Despite appearing SIX TIMES - from a minor cameo to featured co-murderer - why is Danese never ranked alongside the show's other recurring players?
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#SheraDanese #Columbo #PeterFalk

[@jamessellers408]

We all need someone like Peter Falk in our lives tbh

[@Glowis123]

She always stood out to me in her Columbo episodes. My favorite recurring actor. I only found out last night that she was married to Peter Falk.

[@EchoesOfColumbo]

I had no idea of who she was at first either! A very distinctive presence on the screen.

[@stefantreff1767]

Shera is a friend of mine.She still looks beautiful at 73.

[@EchoesOfColumbo]

As a fellow Pennsylvanian and Columboneer, she always has my support!

[@juliebrehove6817]

We love her in our house. She’s so fun.

[@joelmarksbury4376]

Must be weird to know someone that is such an awful person that they had to make a law against her actions.

[@jannlewandowski5540]

It would be great to have a show like Columbo again, but it would not be the same. We need Peter Falk. I've seen every one of Columbo at least 3 times. RIP, PETER..❤️❤️

[@EchoesOfColumbo]

I’d love to see a new “Columbo” - but I agree, I’m too afraid they would mess it up somehow!

[@DanielJohnston-go6tw]

I try to watch a Columbo episode at least once a day. I've seen em all, but don't mind watching any great show or movie, again and again. Keeps me young, I hope.

[@paulamiles9559]

I enjoyed this! And I agree with you- Peter was happy with her- and I think for that reason we have more Columbo content.

[@EchoesOfColumbo]

Completely agree! They obviously both got a kick out of working together.

[@paulatatton7360]

Love all the roles Shera played

[@garrycowan4394]

Columbo is my all time favourite TV program

[@EchoesOfColumbo]

Same! Although “The Sopranos” is up there as well.

[@peternewman3487]

In England on Sundays it’s Columbo day on one TV channel and I’ve been watching them for years and probably know every word spoken.

[@EchoesOfColumbo]

They have endless re-watch value!

[@icekitty400]

The channel is 5USA. Watching The self portrait with her acting in it at the moment.

[@martinintrospective3491]

Me too

[@tamaramcbride4187]

Always enjoyed watching her. Quick, strong and witty. Liked Self Portrait. Definitely under rated. Miss seeing her.

[@EchoesOfColumbo]

Very underrated! It’s like people don’t know what to make of her… Hopefully I was able to capture a little of what makes her unique.

[@NinaGuth-hg5eh]

I had always loved to watch Shera Danese,that floors me to know she sang "Closer" as well...a favorite episode of mine!!The woman is awesome!!!

[@EchoesOfColumbo]

It amazes me that she isn’t more in the discussion for “best guest star.” She’s a “Columbo” institution!

[@johnnyllooddte3415]

we love shera.. boring roles or not.. she was always a welcome character

[@EchoesOfColumbo]

My first time through the series I remember being amazed at how often she turned up - it’s a real thrill, as a fan, when you start spotting the ‘usual suspects’.

[@juliebrehove6817]

We love her too. She’s such a character.

[@PCat2385]

Excellent video I can never get enough background on Columbo

[@AWSOMEPOSSUM16]

As always, wonderfully informative and fun to watch!

[@EchoesOfColumbo]

Thanks! I try and find little nuggets that might not be covered elsewhere. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@chicago23cub]

She was gorgeous still is tall and has a particular look to her . Mr Peter was a lucky man .

[@rudikelley]

Another great video!

[@Educatingben]

Who cares how she got there or what part she played, Shera Danese is fabulous!

[@EchoesOfColumbo]

It’s awesome to see she has so many fans! Like I said, I feel she’s sorely under appreciated in terms of her on- and off-camera contributions.

[@jannlewandowski5540]

I agree 100%...

[@jacquelinemcconnico5143]

I never knew she was his wife. 💕

[@The-Malibu-Wolf]

I think she's a very good actress!

[@debbieking5171]

My favorite one is COLUMBO AND THE MURDER OF A ROCK STAR, she was fabulous in that episode 😀.

[@EchoesOfColumbo]

The scene where she redecorates the office and throws out all the killer’s cowboy stuff is a highlight!

[@josephadorno92]

Knowing that the two were an item actually makes a lot of their scenes fun to watch; I have seen interviews with her and she acts just like the characters she played in the series. Fans tend to prefer Falk's first wife over her, but I can see why he would be attracted to her - there's a kind of banter to their scenes.

[@EchoesOfColumbo]

Their interactions on the show seem very true to life

[@josephadorno92]

@@EchoesOfColumbo I wish I never saw that one video on KZbin of an angry fan invading their privacy, confronting them in a public place with accusations she only knew from tabloids; I felt bad for both of them.

[@denisrams3077]

Amazingly well done 👍🏻

[@EchoesOfColumbo]

Glad you enjoyed it! This one is the channel’s smash hit.

[@toshibavoodoo]

just noticed all of the missing videos on your channel, I get to watch, going to be a good day!!

[@EchoesOfColumbo]

I’m striving to get better as I go, so don’t judge the earlier ones too harshly!

[@toshibavoodoo]

@@EchoesOfColumbo no worry's, everything I have seen is excellant.

[@ianmangham4570]

Hilarious when columbo says "Did she sing closer closer your lips to mine " 🤣🤯

[@timi_ro]

Great stuff!

[@EchoesOfColumbo]

Thank you! Columbo is so rewarding to watch and discuss.

[@klaushergersheimer8315]

Great actress in Columbo 👌🏻

[@EchoesOfColumbo]

How are things in G Section? Shouldn’t you be checking out the radiation shields?

[@klaushergersheimer8315]

@@EchoesOfColumbo Professor Dr. Metz isn’t wearing his, but luckily I carry a spare 😌

[@Ailsworth]

I never knew any of this! I think yes, she got all those roles because she was PF's wife. But just look at Linda McCartney. Nobody complains about her back-up singing, etc. behind Paul and Wings. Like Shera, Linda was up to the task!

[@diosoth]

I can understand her getting more prominent roles later on- Levinson & Link were long gone by then with only a few old scripts of theirs being used(in fact Murder:She Wrote only saw them for the first season due to Levinson's death causing Link to leave the show). Falk was more or less in charge. Not really a bad thing, he WAS Columbo(McGoohan had been offered the role after season 7 & refused, saying it was Falk's role). The show had goofy moments then, but it had its fair share of those back in the day too. Geraldine & Cathleen aren't splayed sympathetic but does it matter? Geraldine is involved in mob business & doesn't care about how it might affect others. Cathleen hates her husband(played to the point that the audience does too) & really sees no problem taking an innocent life just to get rid of him. Not all TV murderers have to be sympathetic as not all real murderers are. Trish is clearly selfish & an opportunist. On a real world note, Shera was there with him until the end. Catherine Falk, daughter from his first marriage, refused to associate with him but tried to gain control of his estate after he passed. She failed. And just thinking out loud... Shera... She-Ra... I wonder if she was maybe an inspiration for that character in name & even appearance? Not that Mattel has ever said it but it'd be a real concidence... The full version of "Closer" was also released at some point. Strange we get that but several full versions of Metalocalypse songs are still in a vault, huh.

[@n.b.johanson4732]

So Mrs. Columbo was right under noses all the time. Love Columbo and Mrs. Columbo

[@EchoesOfColumbo]

Hiding in plain sight, if you will!

[@n.b.johanson4732]

@@EchoesOfColumbo There you go, lol

[@sandrakenslow9540]

Love her.

[@jamestiscareno4387]

I was always aware of them being married. I think she's a beautiful woman, sings well, and a terrific actress too.

[@EchoesOfColumbo]

You were multiple steps ahead of me, then! As a kid watching these, I had no idea. Maybe IMDB clued me in at some point.

[@bennylowery9850]

I love her. Why was she not on more shows?

[@ludowigmarfiza602]

Wow !!!

[@jsfbr]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@bb.cute.channel]

3:19 Which episode is this one?

[@EchoesOfColumbo]

That’s “Undercover”! Rarely seen, for good reason.

[@treasurehunteruk9718]

@@EchoesOfColumbo I just watched it this evening. Like Strange Bedfellows, it is mafia tinged, so I don't like it much.

[@jedikiah1541]

She was OK - nothing more in my opinion.

[@garywebster3585]

Who played the multi talented polymath nephew the peerless investigator refers to in so many episodes or is he a figment of my imagination.

[@EchoesOfColumbo]

You mean the bodybuilder/chess expert/film fanatic? He may be just a figment of Columbo’s imagination, too!

[@martinintrospective3491]

He’s probably got more than one nephew

[@master-kq3nw]

shera was 6 times in columbo

[@dimileonesa557]

My God!!! So material woman

[@vgovger4373]

Hmmm?

[@EchoesOfColumbo]

Mmmhmm!

[@arthurjeremypearson]

I would have preferred her over to Kate mulgrew to be honest.

[@TheWriterWalker]

No...chemistry! (No GOOD chemistry, anyway.)

[@user-ry3hn1rx5p]

Still love watching Columbo but Shera I read kept his child from his funeral. Sound like another B that did the same? Yes Casey Kasems last wife yup, these 2 must be related to keep children from they're fathers last day or funerals. Btw Shera stinks as an actress & havent seen anything she's done since Columbo.

[@dcthomas8959]

I never liked her.

[@jeffl.8489]

She was horrible in Columbo. A total joke of an actress. That is why her husband had to get her work.

[@EchoesOfColumbo]

I know some other fans who think the same! Check out David Koenig’s “Shooting Columbo” (if you haven’t already) - it’s got some more behind-the-scenes details that support your last point.

[@beacee]

I didn’t think she was a good actress either. Good thing Falk took up with her. I read she was not kind to him in his last years though. Sad ending for a brilliant man.

[@Drummerchick2003]

@@beacee That’s why there is the Peter Falk law, because of her.

[@jjr1728]

@@beacee I read somewhere that they both had a tumultuous relationship over the years and falk wasn't exactly faithful all those early years. I don't particularly like her either and feel that she used him

[@jamestiscareno4387]

I think she's a good actress and I like the episodes she co-starred in.