Bruce Kirby

 

Bruce Kirby, veteran character actor and father of Bruno Kirby, dies at 95

Bruce Kirby, the veteran character actor most famously known for his roles in Columbo and L.A. Law, died in Los Angeles on Jan. 24. He was 95.

Sure. Bruce Kirby appeared in 9 episodes of Columbo, most notably as the gullible Sergeant Kramer in 6 episodes. Here are the episodes he appeared in, with a brief description of each:

• Lovely But Lethal (1973) - Bruce Kirby plays a lab attendant who helps Columbo with his investigation.
• By Dawn's Early Light (1974) - Bruce Kirby plays Sergeant Kramer, who is partnered with Lieutenant Columbo on the case of a murdered astronaut.
• A Deadly State of Mind (1975) - Bruce Kirby plays Sergeant Kramer, who is once again partnered with Columbo on the case of a murdered psychiatrist.
• Identity Crisis (1975) - Bruce Kirby plays Sergeant Kramer, who is this time partnered with Lieutenant Columbo on the case of a murdered plastic surgeon.
• Last Salute to the Commodore (1976) - Bruce Kirby plays Sergeant George Kramer, the son of Sergeant Kramer, who is partnered with Columbo on the case of a murdered naval officer.
• Make Me a Perfect Murder (1989) - Bruce Kirby plays a TV repairman who helps Columbo with his investigation.
• Agenda for Murder (1990) - Bruce Kirby plays Sergeant Brendal, who is partnered with Columbo on the case of a murdered politician.
• Columbo Cries Wolf (1990) - Bruce Kirby has a cameo appearance as a police officer.
• Strange Bedfellows (1991) - Bruce Kirby has an uncredited walk-on appearance as a police officer.

Bruce Kirby's character of Sergeant Kramer was a recurring one on Columbo, and he was always played with a mixture of bumbling incompetence and good-natured helpfulness. He was a valuable asset to Columbo on many cases, and his appearances were always a highlight of the show.

Kirby, a native New Yorker, began working in Hollywood in the 1950s and steadily worked in the industry well into the 2000s.