Bruce Kirby, ‘Columbo’ and ‘LA Law’ actor, dead at 95



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“Columbo” and “LA Law” actor Bruce Kirby has died at age 95.

His son, John Kirby, confirmed his death in a Facebook post on Tuesday.

“My father loved acting and apart from his extraordinary professional career in television, film and theater, he has never stopped working on it since his early years in New York thanks to a scholarship with Lee Strasberg during 9 years, at the Theater East in Los Angeles and at The Actors Studio.

“It was very painful for him not to be able to play anymore. I am so happy that his wonderful work continues to live on …

“He was a great dad who loved Bruno and me and as a family he made it his mission that we shoot in these professional summer packages, something we all looked forward to every summer…

“I’m glad you’re up there with Bruno and so many of our loved ones.”

The American actor began his illustrious screen career in the 1950s, where he starred in the anthologies “Omnibus” and “Goodyear Playhouse”.

Bruce Kirby (center) with Chad Everett and Kay Medford in an episode from 1973 "Medical Center."
Bruce Kirby (center) with Chad Everett and Kay Medford in an episode of “Medical Center” in 1973.
Fox Film Corp./courtesy Everett Collection

He jumped into the ’60s when he was cast in leading roles on TV favorites “The Patty Duke Show,” “I Dream of Jeannie,” “Car 54, Where Are You?” and “The Defenders”.

In the 70s and 80s Bruce made the transition to sitcoms such as “The Doris Day Show”, “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and “MASH”, and he specialized in police and police dramas. .

Most notably, the Hollywood mainstay played Sgt. Kramer in “Columbo”, and between 1986 and 1991 he portrayed DA Bruce Rogoff in “LA Law”.

Denise Nicholas and Bruce Kirby in the ABC series "Room 222."
Denise Nicholas and Bruce Kirby in the ABC series “Room 222.”
Everett Collection

Bruce has been seen on many beloved shows over the years, including “The Golden Girls,” “The Sopranos,” “The West Wing,” and closed his career with roles on “Numb3rs” and “Scrubs. ” in the 2000s.

Although his main focus was on television roles, the performer made it to the big screen on several occasions, teaming up with comedian Matt Dillon for the Oscar-winning film “Crash.”

Bruce also made it to Broadway, where he played Uncle Ben in 1984’s “Death of a Salesman,” with Dustin Hoffman.

Bruce’s eldest son Bruno, who also had a passionate acting career, died of leukemia at age 57 in 2006.

Bruce is survived by his second son, John, and his wife, Rosalyn, and has had a distinguished and highly acclaimed career in Hollywood.

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