About
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Bert Freed (November 3, 1919 — August 2, 1994) was a prolific American character actor, voice over actor, and the first actor to portray "Detective Columbo" on television. Born and raised in The Bronx, New York, Freed began acting while attending Penn State University, and made his Broadway debut in 1942. Following World War II Army service in the European Theatre, he appeared in the Broadway musical The Day Before Spring in 1945 and dozens of television shows between 1947 and 1985. His film debut occurred, oddly enough, in a musical Carnegie Hall (1947). A prominent role was as the villainous Ryker in the television series Shane, in which Freed added a unique touch of realism by beginning the show clean-shaven and growing a beard from one week to the next, never shaving again through the season. Freed played Columbo in a live 1960 episode of...
Known for
Perry MasonSeries • 1957
IronsideSeries • 1967
MannixSeries • 1967
Mission: ImpossibleSeries • 1966
Knight RiderSeries • 1982
Get SmartSeries • 1965
Charlie's AngelsSeries • 1976
The VirginianSeries • 1962
Combat!Series • 1962
Petticoat JunctionSeries • 1963
Hogan's HeroesSeries • 1965
The RiflemanSeries • 1958
Dr. KildareSeries • 1961
CannonSeries • 1971
Studio OneSeries • 1948
The Philco Television PlayhouseSeries • 1948
The Big ValleySeries • 1965
The Lucy ShowSeries • 1962
Ben CaseySeries • 1961
The Fall GuySeries • 1981
Route 66Series • 1960
Barnaby JonesSeries • 1973
The MunstersSeries • 1964
The High ChaparralSeries • 1967