Peter Falk, the iconic star of Columbo, was as captivating off-screen as he was solving crimes on television. While viewers were accustomed to seeing Lieutenant Columbo meticulously piecing together clues, Falk himself experienced a moment of serendipitous discovery when he found love on the set of Mikey & Nicky. The woman who captured his attention and ultimately became his wife was Shera Danese. But who was Peter Falk’s wife, and what was her story?
Their initial encounter sounds like something straight out of a romantic movie. As Danese recounted in a 1991 Los Angeles Times interview, their meeting was remarkably simple and instant: “He saw me walking down the street and that was it.” This chance meeting blossomed into a deep connection, and by the time Mikey & Nicky premiered in late 1976, Peter Falk and Shera Danese were not only deeply in love but already working together.
Danese’s first appearance alongside Falk was in the Columbo episode “Fade In to Murder.” In this episode, she found herself sharing screen time with television legends Peter Falk and William Shatner. Despite her role being relatively small, it marked the beginning of her association with the series and her public introduction as someone closely linked to Peter Falk. Reflecting on this early role, Danese modestly described herself as inexperienced, admitting, “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.”
It wasn’t long before Shera Danese reappeared in Columbo, and by this time, she and Peter Falk had married. For fans of Peter Falk, it’s no surprise that his affection for Danese translated into more opportunities on the show. However, Danese admitted to feeling pressure when working with her husband. She expressed the challenge of differentiating her personal relationship from her professional one, stating, “I didn’t know how to act as a person. I didn’t want to act like his wife.”
As their relationship deepened, so did Danese’s roles in Columbo. She became a recurring presence, often playing characters who were romantically linked to the suspects Columbo was investigating. Notable episodes featuring her in more prominent roles include “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 an even more dramatic role in “Columbo and the Murder of a Rock Star.” She had hoped to play the victim, the rock star herself. However, Peter Falk reportedly declined this idea due to a particular scene in the script. Despite not playing the rock star, Danese still contributed significantly to the episode by singing the rock star’s songs, adding an unexpected twist to her involvement.
One of the most memorable on-screen collaborations between 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 through Columbo’s disguise effortlessly. This episode is particularly delightful as it showcases the undeniable chemistry between the couple, even incorporating a champagne scene, although Columbo, ever the focused detective, abstains.
Ultimately, Shera Danese appeared in more Columbo episodes than any other actress, marking her as a significant part of the show’s history and Peter Falk’s life. While her characters never turned out to be the murderer in Columbo, the series playfully compensated by adorning her with stunning jewelry in her roles. Off-screen, Shera Danese and Peter Falk shared a remarkable and loving 33-year marriage, exemplifying a genuine Hollywood love story. Peter Falk’s public adoration for his wife was evident when he declared at an awards ceremony, “I’m crazy about my wife,” confirming the deep bond they shared. Shera Danese was not just Peter Falk’s wife; she was his partner in life and, in many ways, on screen as well.
