Bert Freed
Biography
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Although Peter Falk will always be the best known "Lieutenant Columbo," he was not the first, as that distinction goes to actor Bert Freed. Freed's acting career began while attending Penn State University, and continued with Broadway roles during the early 1940s. By the end of the decade, Freed had made the transition to film roles, which he would accumulate regularly throughout the 195...
Biography
Although Peter Falk will always be the best known "Lieutenant Columbo," he was not the first, as that distinction goes to actor Bert Freed. Freed's acting career began while attending Penn State University, and continued with Broadway roles during the early 1940s. By the end of the decade, Freed had made the transition to film roles, which he would accumulate regularly throughout the 1950s (in addition to television appearances). But it was in 1960 that Freed landed the role of Columbo in "The Chevy Mystery Show." Although he would play the role for only a single episode, it was a full eight years before Falk claimed the role for himself in the hit television series "Columbo." Freed continued to play one-off roles on television, as well as a few multi-episode runs (including "Perry Mason," "Shane," "The Virginian"), for the remainder of his career, before retiring from acting during the mid 1980s.
Filmography
Cast (Feature Film)
Charlie and the Great Balloon Race
(1981)
Skag
(1980)
Norma Rae
(1979)
Barracuda
(1978)
Till Death
(1978)
In the Matter of Karen Ann Quinlan
(1977)
Death Scream
(1975)
Billy Jack
(1971)
Stuart Posner
Evel Knievel
(1971)
Doc Kincaid
There Was a Crooked Man ...
(1970)
Skinner
Then Came Bronson
(1969)
Editor Carson
Madigan
(1968)
Ch. Det. Hap Lynch
Wild in the Streets
(1968)
Max Jacob Flatow, Sr.
Hang 'Em High
(1968)
Hangman
P. J.
(1968)
Police lieutenant
The Swinger
(1966)
Police captain
Nevada Smith
(1966)
Quince
Shock Treatment
(1964)
Josephson
Invitation to a Gunfighter
(1964)
Sheriff
Fate Is the Hunter
(1964)
Dillon
Twilight of Honor
(1963)
Sheriff Buck Wheeler
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?
(1962)
Producer
The Gazebo
(1960)
Lt. Joe Jenkins
The Subterraneans
(1960)
Bartender
Why Must I Die?
(1960)
Adler
The Goddess
(1958)
Lester Brackman
Paths of Glory
(1958)
Sgt. Boulanger
Crowded Paradise
(1956)
The Cobweb
(1955)
Abe Irwin
The Long, Long Trailer
(1954)
Foreman
Men of the Fighting Lady
(1954)
Lt., j.g. Andrew Szymanski
Take the High Ground!
(1953)
Sgt. Vince Opperman
Invaders from Mars
(1953)
Police chief Barrows
Tangier Incident
(1953)
H. Kozad
Anything Can Happen
(1952)
Immigration officer
Red Mountain
(1952)
Sgt. Randall
The Atomic City
(1952)
Emil Jablons
The Company She Keeps
(1951)
Smitty
Halls of Montezuma
(1951)
[Pvt.] Slattery
Detective Story
(1951)
Dakis
Key to the City
(1950)
Emmy's husband
711 Ocean Drive
(1950)
Marshak
Ma and Pa Kettle Go to Town
(1950)
Dutch
Black Hand
(1950)
Prosecutor
Where the Sidewalk Ends
(1950)
Klein
No Way Out
(1950)
Rocky
Boomerang!
(1947)
Cast (Special)
Are You My Mother?
(1986)
330 Independence S.W.
(1962)
Joe Vista (Guest)
Life Events
Videos
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