Quiz: How Well Do You Know Detective Columbo?
Written by Vasilii Kulev
Last updated · 6 min play time
Who can ever forget detective Columbo? Played by Peter Falk, he became one of Hollywood’s most versatile actors. With this favorite raincoat and cigars, Falk crafted one of television’s greatest characters. But how well do you remember your favorite detective? Take our quiz to find out.
Columbo remains one of the most celebrated detective TV series. The episode “Murder by the Book” alone was ranked number 16 on TV Guide’s 100 Greatest Episodes of All-Time. Created by Richard Levinson and William Link, Columbo popularized the inverted detective story format.
But the show wouldn’t be as interesting if it weren’t for Lieutenant Columbo. Played by Peter Falk he remains one of the most beloved characters in the history of television. How much do you actually know about him? What do you know about his beloved wife and cute dog? What’s his favorite catchphrase? Check your knowledge on this ultimate quiz about detective Columbo.
Quiz written by
Vasilii KulevVasilii Kulev is a digital marketing specialist during business hours and a trivia writer in his spare time. His areas of interest range from cars and music to science, history, and food. Whenever he's not busy writing quizzes, you can catch him at the local used records store or the newest craft beer bar. He also wrote this entire bio himself in third person.
Detective Columbo Quiz Questions
20 Questions · 259 Plays · No comments
Question 1
We've already mentioned this, but do you know which actor played Detective Columbo?
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ARichard Boone
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BRock Hudson
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CDennis Weaver
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DPeter Falk
Peter Falk
Peter Falk was an American actor known for his role as Lieutenant Columbo for which he won four Primetime Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award. He also collaborated with the famous John Cassavetes in many movies.
Question 2
Over the years, Columbo would slip many details about his life through conversations with suspects. In one of them, he tells about his childhood. Who was Columbo's boyhood hero?
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AJames Dougherty
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BMickey Mantle
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CJoe DiMaggio
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DArthur Miller
Joe DiMaggio
Joe DiMaggio was a famous baseball center fielder whom Columbo adored. He also liked gangster pictures, and played a lot of pinball.
Question 3
Every iconic character has a catch phrase. Columbo used one every time he nailed the guilty. Do you know what was his catch phrase?
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A"Just the facts, ma'am."
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B"Book 'em, Danno..."
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C"Just one more thing..."
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D"We almost getting there..."
"Just one more thing..."
Columbo's catchphrase was "Just one more thing..." According to the writers of the show, the line came about because they were apparently lazy and needed to stretch a scene. Well, at least it worked.
Question 4
"Etude in Black" marked the first appearance of the detective's dog named "Dog". Do you remember the dog's breed?
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AGerman Shepherd
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BBasset Hound
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CBeagle
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DBulldog
Basset Hound
Columbo's dog named "Dog" as a Basset Hound. The detective thought of naming his dog "Fido," "Munch," and even "Beethoven" but then settled on just "Dog". Pretty funny when you think about it.
Question 5
You must know by now that Columbo's life revolved around solving crimes and catching the bad guys. But do you remember for which police force he worked?
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ALos Angeles Police Department
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BSan Francisco Police Department
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CNew York Police Department
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DFlorida Police Department
Los Angeles Police Department
Columbo is a police detective in the Los Angeles Police Department. In fact, he is one of the few, if not only policeman in the LAPD who doesn't carry a firearm because he is terrible at shooting.
Question 6
In the season two episode "Dagger of the Mind", we saw Columbo leave his home turf for the first time. In which city did the episode take place?
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AParis
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BMiami
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CHonolulu
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DLondon
London
"Dagger of the Mind" was the first episode that didn't take place in Los Angeles. The episode was set and partially shot in London.
Question 7
It's hard to imagine any other actor filling the raincoat of the iconic crime solver other than Peter Falk. However, the role was first offered to a famous singer-actor. Do you know who?
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ATony Bennett
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BFrank Sinatra
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CDean Martin
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DBing Crosby
Bing Crosby
Imagine hearing Bing Crosby say "Just one more thing," in his smooth and buttery voice. In fact, he was offered the role of Columbo, which he rejected. The legend says he preferred to play golf instead.
Question 8
In "Trouble Waters" Kate and Columbo are going on a cruise. However, their time in the ship ends when a murder occurs onboard. Why did Columbo go on a cruise?
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AHe was following up a clue
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BColumbo was on a case
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CMrs. Columbo won a Raffle
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DColumbo needed some rest
Mrs. Columbo won a Raffle
The reason why the lovely couple go on a cruise is because Mrs. Columbo wins a raffle for herself and her husband to go to Mexico. Unfortunately, their plans end sooner than they expect.
Question 9
In the episode "Sex and the Married Detective," it's revealed that Columbo can play an instrument. What could Columbo play?
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APiccolo
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BTuba
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COboe
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DGuitar
Tuba
"Sex and the Married Detective" is the third episode of the 8th season of Columbo. In the episode, a radio sex therapist plots to send off her unfaithful lover with the help of a disguise. It is also revealed that Columbo can play the tuba.
Question 10
We all know how much Columbo loves his wife, Kate. Do you know her profession?
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AHousewife
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BNews Reporter
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CDetective
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DCook
News Reporter
There are a lot of fans who think that Mrs. Columbo doesn't exist and is part of Columbo's imagination. However, Kate's character is defined by what Columbo tells us. And he tells us she's a news reporter.
Question 11
Although Columbo's first name is never stated in the TV series, it can actually be seen on his badge on screen for all the nerds out there. What is it?
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ADavid
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BClarence
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CNicholas
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DFrank
Frank
Columbo's first name has been visible on pieces of identification throughout the show. In his documents, Columbo's name is Frank.
Question 12
Columbo is a man of many talents. In "Murder Under Glass," Columbo shows off his cooking skills to a food critic and of course, a killer. What Italian dish did he cook?
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AEggplant Parmesan
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BVeal Scallopini
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CShrimp Scampi
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DSpaghetti Aglio e Olio
Veal Scallopini
In "Murder Under Glass" a famous food critic makes money through bribing restaurant owners who seek reviews. When one of the restaurants refuses to pay, the critic decides to poison the wine. Columbo's culinary skills and the Veal Scallopini he cooks helps him solve the mystery.
Question 13
Just like the raincoat, the cigars, the car and the dog, Columbo's taste in food is part of what makes him Columbo. What is his favorite thing to eat?
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APeas
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BIce Cream
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CHot chili
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DVanilla
Hot chili
Anyone who watched <i>Columbo</i> knows his obsession with hot chili. Columbo eats chili every day of his life, usually with beans and salt. In "Rest In Peace, Mrs. Columbo" everyone warns him that chili will kill him.
Question 14
Many car owners take great pride in their vehicles. That's because the kind of car you own shows a lot about what kind of person you are. What car did detective Columbo own?
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AMonteverdi Hai 450 SS
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BAlfa Romeo Montreal
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CPeugeot 403 Grand Luxe Cabriolet
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DTriumph TR7
Peugeot 403 Grand Luxe Cabriolet
Columbo's car is a Peugeot model 403 Grande Luxe Cabriolet. The car was marketed as one of the 7 best made cars in the world. The 403 wasn't extravagant-looking or attention-seeking, it was simple and functional, just like Columbo himself.
Question 15
Can you remember how Columbo takes his coffee?
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AWhite
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BWith two creams
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CBlack with Sugar
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DBlack
Black
Black coffee is part of what defines Columbo in the show. Do you know that there's even a book titled "Cooking with Columbo"?
Question 16
In the episode "A Short Fuse" what strategy does Columbo use to nail the criminal?
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AHe always tells them everything he knows
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BHe throws his weight around and demands respect
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CHe humbles himself in importance and rank
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DHe loves talking about his wife with the killer
He loves talking about his wife with the killer
Detective Columbo loves talking about his wife! In this episode he said: "My wife says I'm second best. She says there are 80 guys tied for first." Such an adorable couple!
Question 17
You've seen Columbo's car more times than you can count if you've watched the show. So what are his original license plate numbers?
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ACalifornia APD 044
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BCalifornia 044 DPD
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CCalifornia 044 APD
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DCalifornia 045 APD
California 044 APD
The original plate number at NBC was 044-APD, however, after the show moved to ABC the plate number became 448-DBZ.
Question 18
Somewhere in the world, there's a bronze statue of Columbo and his dog. In which of these European cities is the statue placed?
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ABerlin, Germany
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BBudapest, Hungary
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CTurin, Italy
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DWarsaw, Poland
Budapest, Hungary
The Columbo statue is a bronze statue in Budapest depicting Peter Falk in the role of Columbo. At the statue's feet is a statue of the Dog. This statue was put up in 2014. Peter Falk was known to have Hungarian roots.
Question 19
We all know how Columbo never lets the killer go free. However, in one episode he does exactly that. Do you remember the name of the episode?
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ANegative Reaction
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BA Trace of Murder
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CA Case of Immunity
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DForgotten Lady
Forgotten Lady
In "Forgotten Lady" Columbo finds out that Grace was committing the murder through solving the discrepancy between the length of the movie and the time it took Grace to watch it. However, he lets her go after he realizes she will soon die.
Question 20
In the episode "Enough Rope" we are introduced to a lieutenant named Columbo. Do you know which actor played him?
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ABert Freed
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BBert Lahr
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CBert Parks
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DPeter Falk
Bert Freed
Bert Lahr played Columbo on an episode called "Enough Rope" directed by Don Richardson and written by William Link and Richard Levinson. This episode provided a humble presentation to a cop character that would change the course of television history.
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