variety rEPORTS that longtime actor Bruce Kirby died Sunday in Los Angeles. He was 95 years old.
Born Bruno Giovanni Quidaciolu in New York in 1925, Kirby began studying with Lee Strasberg at Actor’s Studio in New York. He had just turned 30 when he made his small screen debut Goodyear Playhouse in 1955. Actor of veteran character, followed that appearance with several parts of guest stars, in all, from The Phil Silvers show to Aim for Jeannie to Mission impossible. Kirby’s man’s discreet charm seemed special make it very suitable for cops or detective plays in series such as Car 54, Where are you?, Chico And The Man, Kojak, and Barney Miller.
Undoubtedly, his most famous role was that of Sergeant George Kramer in the legendary detective series Columbus. Such was the charisma of Peter Falk and the string of famous stars of the show who, Aside from the trench coat, car, and basset, Kirby was the closest thing the show had to a recurring cast member other than the title character. Sergeant Kramer was usually both confused and impressed by Columbo’s unconventional methods. Kirby has appeared in nine episodes as a whole, not just as Kramer, but also a laboratory assistant and a TV repairman. In the ’80s, Kirby made an impression as remarkable as a DA in 13 episodes of LA law.
Over the decades, the actor’s pace never seemed to slow down, as he did. Matlock, Murphy Brown, and Murder, she wrote. In more recent years, he has participated The days of our lives, West Wing, and Sopranii. His last TV appearance was on a 2007 episode Scrubs.
His appearances on the big screen were uncommon, but Kirby appeared in movies as well Catch 22, The movie Muppet, Crash, Sweet Dreams, Overview, and played a character named after himself, Mr. Quidaciolu into the Stand by Me, as a store owner who tells Gordy he looks like his deceased brother, Denny. He eventually retired from acting in 2009.
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Kirby was the father of similar actor Bruno Kirby, who died of leukemia in 2006 at the age of 57.
Bruce Kirby ‘s survivors include his son John, an interim coach, and his wife Roz, whom he married in 1976.