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Related: About this forumBruce Kirby, character actor in 'Columbo' and 'L.A. Law,' dies at 95
Bruce Kirby, a character actor best known for his roles in Columbo and Stand by Me, died in Los Angeles on Sunday. He was 95.
Kirby, born Bruno Giovanni Quidaciolu, began his career at the Actors Studio in New York and studied under the famed acting coach Lee Strasberg. He debuted on stage in the 1950s and then launched a steady career in television primarily playing smaller roles as unimposing law enforcement figures.
He played the gullible Sergeant George Kramer from the detective series Columbo. Kramer only saw the obvious details of a case, often falling for the murderers phony alibi. From 1973-1995, Kirby appeared in nine episodes of the show.
Kirby made many other television appearances in shows like I Dream of Jeannie, Car 54, Where Are You?, Bonanza and M*A*S*H.
He also played Sgt. Al Vine in the crime drama television series Kojak, and District Attorney Bruce Rogoff in the Emmy Award-winning legal drama L.A. Law.
He retired from acting in 2009.
At: https://variety.com/2021/tv/obituaries-people-news/bruce-kirby-dead-columbo-bruno-kirby-father-1234892476/
Prolific character actor Bruce Kirby, 1925-2021.
The Blue Flower
(5,640 posts)It won high awards for comedy in a few festivals in 2000. We were so, so lucky to get this kind and generous man in a featured role. The title is Vinnie & Angela's Beauty Salon and Funeral Parlor:
sandensea
(22,850 posts)Reminds me of another Indy comedy from that era, The Deli.
And please take that as a compliment, as it's one of my very favorite '90s comedies.
Thanks again for sharing.
Hela
(465 posts)who died in 2006 at age 57 from Leukemia.
sandensea
(22,850 posts)They do resemble each other - though, and correct me if I'm wrong, they played very different personas on screen.
The dad was the quintessential hard-nosed, but good-hearted, police captain/detective - whereas the son was more comedic.
Thanks again.