Quiz: How Well Do You Know Detective Columbo?

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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. 


Vasilii 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.

This quiz is about: trivia tv detective #quiz show series columbo

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?

  • A
    Richard Boone
  • B
    Rock Hudson
  • C
    Dennis Weaver
  • D
    Peter Falk

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?

  • A
    James Dougherty
  • B
    Mickey Mantle
  • C
    Joe DiMaggio
  • D
    Arthur Miller

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?

  • A
    "Just the facts, ma'am."
  • B
    "Book 'em, Danno..."
  • C
    "Just one more thing..."
  • D
    "We almost getting there..."

Question 4

"Etude in Black" marked the first appearance of the detective's dog named "Dog". Do you remember the dog's breed?

  • A
    German Shepherd
  • B
    Basset Hound
  • C
    Beagle
  • D
    Bulldog

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?

  • A
    Los Angeles Police Department
  • B
    San Francisco Police Department
  • C
    New York Police Department
  • D
    Florida Police Department

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?

  • A
    Paris
  • B
    Miami
  • C
    Honolulu
  • D
    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?

  • A
    Tony Bennett
  • B
    Frank Sinatra
  • C
    Dean Martin
  • D
    Bing Crosby

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?

  • A
    He was following up a clue
  • B
    Columbo was on a case
  • C
    Mrs. Columbo won a Raffle
  • D
    Columbo needed some rest

Question 9

In the episode "Sex and the Married Detective," it's revealed that Columbo can play an instrument. What could Columbo play?

  • A
    Piccolo
  • B
    Tuba
  • C
    Oboe
  • D
    Guitar

Question 10

We all know how much Columbo loves his wife, Kate. Do you know her profession?

  • A
    Housewife
  • B
    News Reporter
  • C
    Detective
  • D
    Cook

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?

  • A
    David
  • B
    Clarence
  • C
    Nicholas
  • D
    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?

  • A
    Eggplant Parmesan
  • B
    Veal Scallopini
  • C
    Shrimp Scampi
  • D
    Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

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?

  • A
    Peas
  • B
    Ice Cream
  • C
    Hot chili
  • D
    Vanilla

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?

  • A
    Monteverdi Hai 450 SS
  • B
    Alfa Romeo Montreal
  • C
    Peugeot 403 Grand Luxe Cabriolet
  • D
    Triumph TR7

Question 15

Can you remember how Columbo takes his coffee?

  • A
    White
  • B
    With two creams
  • C
    Black with Sugar
  • D
    Black

Question 16

In the episode "A Short Fuse" what strategy does Columbo use to nail the criminal?

  • A
    He always tells them everything he knows
  • B
    He throws his weight around and demands respect
  • C
    He humbles himself in importance and rank
  • D
    He loves talking about his wife with the killer

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?

  • A
    California APD 044
  • B
    California 044 DPD
  • C
    California 044 APD
  • D
    California 045 APD

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?

  • A
    Berlin, Germany
  • B
    Budapest, Hungary
  • C
    Turin, Italy
  • D
    Warsaw, Poland

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?

  • A
    Negative Reaction
  • B
    A Trace of Murder
  • C
    A Case of Immunity
  • D
    Forgotten Lady

Question 20

In the episode "Enough Rope" we are introduced to a lieutenant named Columbo. Do you know which actor played him?

  • A
    Bert Freed
  • B
    Bert Lahr
  • C
    Bert Parks
  • D
    Peter Falk

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