Peter Falk, the iconic star of Columbo, was not just a brilliant detective on screen but also seemingly quite the romantic in real life. His real-life love story began unexpectedly on the set of Mikey & Nicky. Amidst the hustle and bustle of filming, his eyes were caught by a woman observing from the sidelines. This woman was Shera Danese, who would soon become Peter Falk’s wife and a frequent face alongside him on Columbo. Their initial encounter was so impactful that Falk had to pause filming just to meet her, marking the start of a beautiful and enduring relationship.
In a 1991 interview with the Los Angeles Times, Shera Danese recounted their charming meet-cute. “He saw me walking down the street and that was it,” she simply stated, encapsulating the immediate connection they felt. By the time Mikey & Nicky premiered in late 1976, Peter Falk and Shera Danese were already deeply involved. Danese had even made her debut on Columbo in the episode “Fade In to Murder.” In this episode, she shared the screen with television titans Peter Falk and William Shatner. Despite finding herself in such esteemed company early in her career, Danese humbly described her mindset at the time, “As soon as I came out here in the mid-’70s I did a Columbo. I was dumb then. I was just checking my lip gloss.”
Shera Danese’s Recurring Roles in Columbo
Shera Danese’s appearances on Columbo became more frequent, much to the delight of fans and likely Peter Falk himself. By her second appearance, they were married, solidifying their bond both personally and professionally. Danese openly admitted to feeling pressure when working with her husband on set. She confessed, “I didn’t know how to act as a person. I didn’t want to act like his wife,” highlighting the unique challenge of separating her personal relationship from her professional role.
As their relationship deepened, so did the significance of her roles in Columbo. Shera Danese often played characters who were romantically linked to the suspects Columbo was investigating. This pattern is evident in episodes like “Murder Under Glass,” “Murder, a Self Portrait,” “Columbo and the Murder of a Rock Star,” and “A Trace of Murder.” Interestingly, Danese revealed her ambition to take on a more dramatic role in “Columbo and the Murder of a Rock Star”—she wanted to play the victim. However, Peter Falk reportedly declined this request due to a particular scene. Despite not playing the victim, Danese still contributed significantly to the episode, stating, “I wanted to play the rock star … but he wouldn’t let me because she is in bed with some young guy. But I am singing her songs. How is that for a twist? She is doing the scenes and I am doing the singing.”
“Undercover”: Showcasing Their Real-Life Chemistry
One of the most enjoyable on-screen pairings of Peter Falk and Shera Danese occurred in the 1994 episode “Undercover.” In this episode, Columbo goes undercover and attempts to deceive Danese’s character, an art gallery owner. However, her character sees right through Columbo’s disguise, leading to humorous and engaging interactions. “Undercover” perfectly captured the real-life chemistry between Peter Falk and Shera Danese, with moments of playful banter and even a champagne scene, albeit with Columbo remaining sober as always.
Ultimately, Shera Danese became the actress with the most Columbo appearances, a testament to her talent and perhaps Peter Falk’s fondness for having his wife on set. While Columbo never cast Shera Danese as a murderer, the series compensated by adorning her characters with stunning jewelry. Off-screen, Peter Falk and Shera Danese were a quintessential Hollywood love story. Their marriage lasted 33 years, and Peter Falk openly expressed his adoration for his wife. In an awards ceremony, he affectionately admitted, “I’m crazy about my wife,” solidifying their image as a couple deeply in love, both in the glamorous world of Hollywood and in the endearing universe of Columbo.
