Shera Danese is an American actress and the widow of actor Peter Falk, the star of Columbo. Danese appeared alongside Falk on Columbo in several supporting roles and holds the distinction of making the most appearances of any actress in the series.
Biography
Life and career Danese was the 1970 Miss Pennsylvania World.
Her acting career began in 1975 playing the part of Kitty in an episode of the television series Medical Story (credited as Sherry Danese). She subsequently guest-starred in other series during the 1970s, with appearances in One Day at a Time, Serpico, Baretta, Three's Company, Kojak, Family, Hart to Hart, Starsky and Hutch, and Charlie's Angels.
In one of her few movie roles, Danese starred with Tom Cruise and Rebecca De Mornay in Risky Business (1983), playing a prostitute named Vicki. In 2005, she appeared alongside her husband Peter Falk in the movie Checking Out.
Columbo (1976–1997) Danese had major supporting roles in six episodes of the television series Columbo, appearing alongside her husband Peter Falk (who starred as Lieutenant Columbo), in "Fade in to Murder" (1976), "Murder Under Glass" (1978), "Murder, a Self Portrait" (1989), "Columbo and the Murder of a Rock Star" (1991), "Undercover" (1994), and "A Trace of Murder" (1997). Although she played the killer only once, Danese has the distinction of having appeared in more episodes of the series than any other actress.
Ace Crawford, Private Eye In 1983 she appeared in the comedy series Ace Crawford, Private Eye alongside Tim Conway. She starred as Luana, a singer at The Shanty who lusted after Crawford.
Personal life Danese met Peter Falk on the set of the movie Mikey and Nicky.
Danese was Falk's conservator and, according to his daughter Catherine, prevented some of his family members from visiting him, did not notify them of major changes in his condition, and did not notify them of his death and funeral arrangements. Catherine Falk later encouraged the passage of legislation, called Peter Falk's Law, that provides guidelines that guardians and conservators for an incapacitated person must comply with regarding visitation rights and notice of death. As of 2016 more than ten states had enacted such laws.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes1975Medical StoryKittySeason 1 Episode 5: "An Air Full of Death"1976One Day at a TimeMiss HefleySeason 1 Episode 4: "How to Succeed Without Trying"1976Having BabiesKristy PotterTelevision movie1976–1977SerpicoMildred / Jan2 episodes1976–1977Three's CompanyBarmaid2 episodes1976–1978Columbo "Fade in to Murder"Molly / Eve Plummer2 episodes1977BarettaJillSeason 3 Episode 16: "The Reunion"1977Photo AssistantSeason 1 Episode 10: "Murder at F-Stop 11"1977New York, New YorkDoyle's Girl in Major Chord1977KojakSally CentoriniSeason 5 Episode 12: "I Could Kill My Wife's Lawyer"1977–1978Starsky & HutchJudith Coppet / Nicole Monk2 episodes1978FameLuciaTelevision movie1978–1979FamilyBambi2 episodes1979Charlie's AngelsConnieSeason 3 Episode 15: "Disco Angels"1979SusanTelevision movie1979Hart to HartCarlaSeason 1 Episode 1: "Hit Jennifer Hart"1982Million Dollar InfieldBunny WahlTelevision movie1983Your Place... or MineTelevision movie1983Ace Crawford, Private EyeLuanaSeries regular1983Risky BusinessVicki1983Sparkling CyanideChristine ShannonTelevision movie1984Maggie BriggsConnie Piscipoli3 episodes1984BrothersPepeSeason 1 Episode 10: "Standards and Practices"1985Detective in the HouseGinaSeason 1 Episode 7: "Gelt by Association"1985Eva1987Baby BoomCloak Room Attendant1989Midnight CallerJoSeason 1 Episode 10: "Fathers and Sins"1989Columbo: "Murder, A Self Portrait"Vanessa BarsiniTelevision movie1989Mulberry StreetJoanne SavoiaTelevision movie1991Columbo: "Columbo and the Murder of a Rock Star"Trish FairbanksTelevision movie1992Unbecoming AgeLetty1994Columbo: "Undercover"Geraldine FergusonTelevision movie1997Columbo: "A Trace of Murder"Cathleen CalvertTelevision movie2000Enemies of LaughterHelen2002John QWife of Heart Transplant Patient2002Who's Your Daddy?Honey MackVideo2005Checking OutRhonda Applebaum2006Alpha DogAbby2010Cold CaseLana Parker '10Season 7 Episode 12: "The Runaway Bunny"
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