NB – This mystery has now been solved thanks to the help of Columbo fans across the world. Read all about it here!
Every episode of Columbo features a mystery. However, as we know, the Lieutenant is well capable of solving the trickiest of cases, leaving no questions unanswered. But there’s a real-life Columbo mystery that remains unresolved more than 45 years on.
Simply put: who is the above-pictured beautiful actress, who played a small but notable part in Suitable for Framing back in 1971? The alluring blonde was seen briefly at Sam Franklin’s art show, swigging Champagne at a table in the presence of famous art critic Dale Kingston, among several others.And the next day we see her again, this time wearing far fewer clothes, as the nude model who so abashes Columbo when he drops by to question Franklin about what Kingston was doing at the time of the crime. I always really enjoyed her performance here. As well as good-naturedly greeting the Lieutenant, she gives as good as she gets to the grouchy artist when he gives her grief. And when Columbo awkwardly shuffles away, she allows herself a sneaky glance after him with an enigmatic look suggestive that she’d taken a shine to the scruffy little detective. She certainly made an impression on the episode, despite her appearance being little more than a cameo.“The mystery girl certainly made an impression on the episode, despite her appearance being little more than a cameo.”
The sweet model helped make this scene a total winner!
How can this two-time Columbo actress remain totally unknown?
Despite the ‘CAN’T DO’ attitude of the Guild, I believe that together we can get to the bottom of this. I will personally send a genuine 1970s’ Columbo film poster to the first person who provides definitive proof of who this actress is. So if you know someone who knows someone, who once knew someone who walked dogs for showbiz types in LA, then put out the word to them.
Together we’ll crack this mystery for once and for all! The good-humoured mystery model deserves nothing less.
Enjoy the legendary scene in full HD below!
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Linda Evans?
I’ll toss a name out that I don’t see here: Diana Ewing. She has the added benefit of being alive, so if you think she’s plausible, someone might be able to contact her.
I’m wondering if it might have been Alexandra Hay.
I don’t believe it’s either Alexandra or Diana. Facially they’re quite different, and both would have been a few years too young in 1971.
I still think it’s Alexandra Hay. She would have been 24 at the time the episode aired, and she looks like the actress in this scene. Love Columbophile!
Definitely not Alexandra Hay unfortunately.
Didn’t read all posts, but she’s mentioned already.. looks like Joanna Pettet to me. Google her name/images – she has a lot of different looks.
This episode is on TV now.
I checked IDMB and “the model” isn’t even listed as uncredited, as I’m sure you already know. I’ve seen this happen a few times, but this is the prettiest.
It’s interesting that the parking boy that appears in the same scene is credited but the model isn’t, when she has more lines and more screen-time.
Add another mystery beauty to this episode. Who is the lovely, long legged lass who played Sally, the female police officer who ran down the exterior steps in high heels? Brunette, and a true beauty (in a 70’s sexist sort of way). She’s not listed on imdb either, even though she also had several brief speaking roles in this episode. She showed up at approx. 19:12 minutes into the show. Truly a stunner in her blue uniform, indeed.
Yes, I recently met her at a dinner party. The name she used as an actress was Carherine Dark. She was also in a movie with Elvis called Charro. Her career was very limited. She is now 70 and runs her own business here in Southern California.
I met Catherine again tonight. She spelled her last name Darc, not dark. SO, if I have her send you an email to confirm, do I win the poster?
Is Catherine the nude model or the brunette police officer?
Did you find out who Sally is? Her legs were memorable.
I located two possible actresses who resemble her and were on TV the same time. what do you think?
Robyn Millan https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0587632/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
Ann Dusenberry https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0244619/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_t334
Wow, some plausible candidates here. I don’t *think* it’s either one, but others may disagree…
Robin Millan was working in 1971, and has the right general look. But she seems to my eye to look at a little softer, and her voice doesn’t really match the voice of Chris. She also has a very slight chin dimple which Chris seems to lack.
Ann Dusenberry didn’t have her first film/TV credit until 1975. A newspaper profile indicates she didn’t arrive in Hollywood until 1974 (when she would have been 22), which would correspond to her bio indicating that she studied theatre arts at the University of Arizona. And the resemblance to Chris — at least to me — isn’t that strong. In my opinion, it’s not her.
Thanks for checking. It’s really sad we can’t find her. 🙁
Something new?
Celeste Yarnall.
No, it is not her. They already had that idea (see other comments below)
Has this mystery been solved ?
Have people tried to contact known actors from this episode? Contacting for example the filmcrew? or people responsible for the actors and so on?
I am seriously wondering who it is now!
leoda Richards?
No, she was 66 at the time!
The real question is: who is Miss Anderson, the lawyer’s assistant, in the episode
“…I’ll make my calls now please.”
But who’s the gorgeous female cop “Sally” who runs down the steps when the police arrive on the scene?
I can understand why she’d be uncredited because her role was so minor, but the model had a few lines, so would warrant a credit I’d have thought.
But as we know from Falk himself, the studio was often hamstringing production via tight budgets. So often lines were dubbed in for background actors, and even Mike Lally was only credited with a couple of his many speaking parts.
I do not know the answer, but has anyone tried contacting Dennis Wayne Rucker, who played Parking Boy (Joe) in the rest of that scene? There’s someone with that name in Cedar Hill, TX. He may remember since he was probably there at the same time.
That’s a very good suggestion! I’ll see if I can find him online.
Has this been solved? The episode is on now.
Celeste yarnall ?
Watching the dvd last night, I was sure that the model was Xaviera Hollander (the Happy Hooker)
By jove! I think you may be right!!!
I don’t see it. Sorry. Just my humble opinion.
I don’t think it’s her, sorry folks. The face isn’t similar enough.
I asked her through her website, its not her.
Thanks for being so thorough!
I think you could be right!
Joan Shawlee. Not only is she credited in the show, she is credited on IMDB.
My mistake–that’s the ditzy gallery owner.
I’m going to go with Barbara Bouchet she was the right age the right resume and the features look spot on http://www.glamourgirlsofthesilverscreen.com/t.php?id=7231 and she never shied away from doing nude or implied nude
I don’t think that is really even that close to being her.
maybe it’s Patricia Colleen Mattick
https://images.findagrave.com/photos250/photos/2013/203/21474363_137464969234.jpg
Not even close!
LOL……poor Margaret
Celeste Yarnall ?
Well, having looked and said, to myself, “Joanna Pettet,” before reading any comments, I see no reason, to change my opinion.
It doesn’t make sense that she had credited parts before and after this episode, yet would have a speaking, uncredited part in this Columbo.
Sorry, here is the correct link:
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N0mF-aUPOsM/U0kBZJVdC5I/AAAAAAANfww/B1KN_KzHrog/s1600/Columbo-Bye-Bye_Sky_High_IQ_Murder_Case-1977-VCSS1-204.jpg
Clearly not the same person:
http://obitulog.blogspot.com/2011/09/sharon-tate-mystery-mysteries-of-mind.html
Could it be the woman who drank her contact lens in “The Bye Bye Sky High IQ Murder Case”? I think she bears a strong resemblence but I don’t know who the actress is because there are several listed in IMDB and I don’t know which one it was but you probably do.
Here’s a link to a picture of her from the episode.
http://columboscreenshots.blogspot.com/2014/04/columbo-40-bye-bye-sky-high-iq-murder_8649.html
Has this mystery ever been definitely solved? Is it Joanna Pettet?
Not solved. I don’t believe it’s Joanna. Looks like her from some angles, but not others. I suspect Joanna was a few years younger than the lady here, too.
She appears to be the same actress who played the Dress Shop Worker in “Lady in Waiting”.
I think you may be right. But alas, she’s uncredited in that one, too. The mystery goes on…
Columbophile: How come no one has tried to solve another mystery? Columbo addresses the young policewoman by name “Sally”. She is also uncredited. 50s/60s actor Robert Shayne (of TVs superman fame) plays the uncle who gets shot in the opening scene. I think “Sally” may be his daughter Stephanie Shayne. Worth investigating? No?
Yes you are right, she is the dress shop worker in that episode, though not listed in the credits.
I, suggest you look at sandy shaw pics she was a 1960’s vocalist and model, actress
famous in England her album covers are a very similar resemblance. she mentions in
an interview about modeling and wanting to act.1974 her singing career songs were
1967 and on from there. She has not been mentioned yet as far as I, know in this blog.
Great question and one I have wondered for a while! She also appears in the “Lady in Waiting” episode where Beth Chadwick (Played by Susan Clark) goes on a shopping spree after killing her brother. Beth Chadwick is assisted by a woman at the clothing store, the woman assistant is the same actress whom portrays the nude model, but once again she is missing in the credits even though she has lines.
It’s rumoured to be the same actress in Lady in Waiting but I’ve studied the close ups and I don’t think they’re the same lady.
Absolutely, 100% the same woman. I took a screen shot from Lady in Waiting but don’t see an upload area on this forum. It is the same woman, undoubtedly. Google image search thinks its Patricia Mattick the girl from episode Ransom for a Dead Man starring Lee Grant, but thats a big stretch I think.
Do email them to me at columbophile@hotmail.co.uk and I’ll take a look! The pic I saw of said lady in Lady in Waiting made her look like an Oompa Loompa.
Can you give a timestamp to the woman you believe is the same as the woman pictured above? Exactly what time in the episode do we see her?
I just noticed this. It is the same woman in Suitable for Framing; first as the model, then at the bar, without a doubt. On Lady in Waiting, she appears around 55:20 until approx. 56:15 minutes (with the commercials now showing on Amazon Prime). She asks Beth “Do You Wanna Try this on?” She works at the dress shop while Beth and Leslie Neilsen’s characters are watching Beth try on the purple dress. It’s not Joanna Pettit or Sharon Tate. She definitely has the Southern Cali look of the ’70’s. With several speaking parts in both episodes it’s a wonder she didn’t get credits in either appearance.
Sharon Stone
No chance! She was only 13 in 1971!
Want to wish you a Happy New Year from Germany
Ooops meant to say wish you all aHappy New Year
Thank you! Happy New Year!!
Thanks David, a very happy new year to you, too!
You are all very welcome! Are you sure she isn’t Cybille Sheperd ?
No, it’s not her…
I think she’s also the dress shop salesgirl in Lady In Waiting.
No, it’s not her. I’ve looked at close-up images of them both and their faces are quite different.
Are we sure the nude model and the person at the bar are the same person?
She reminds me vaguely of Sharon Acker who played Odona on Star Trek’s The Mark of Gideon…
Does ANYONE know who played “Sally” the Policewoman in “Suitable for Framing?” email me robin_reif@aol.com
Possibly Eileen O’Neill (?) from Burke’s Law or dancer Sylvia Lewis.
Since you guys are looking for some “missing person”, may I ask for another one?
IMDB does not list her (I think), so it is really hard to look for her other films (if any).
I’m talking about beautiful lady from hilarious scene in “Exercise in Fatality” (“Tricon is always happy to cooperate with the authorities”).
Screenshot from the film: http://imgur.com/a/i6u2D
Also ‘Sally’ the police woman who helps columbo by running away in her heels to recreate what someone heard does not get a credit. Both her and ‘Chris’ had speaking parts so it is strange.
Looks very much like Nina Van Pallandt at that time.
Woman from Columbo doesn’t look 42 (1974-1932)…
In my estimation she is not more than 30 yo. 🙂
Mark,I have found her! I had also tried to find out who she was and today I finally found her.Her name is Susan Jacoby.She also played in a Rockford Files episode This Case is Closed.
You have nailed it, sir – it seems to be the woman. But on IMDB her date of birth doesn’t make any sense. She was 12 when filming Columbo?! Unfortunately in Rockford Files she is also uncredited.
Eye colour and teeth look similar; hair colour is different.
My inept attempt at copying her from Columbo to Rockford:
https://imgur.com/a/A2dpo
The producers certainly cut corners on the show, often dubbing in dialogue for background roles, and of course rarely giving credit for many of Michael Lally’s speaking parts. My guess is she was a friend or relative of a crew member or someone in the production office.
Good guess–never thought of that. Love Michael Lally and his many, many speaking roles throughout the series, most notably in “Now You See Him”. Michael Lally and his son Mike Lally both appear in “Swan Song” though not in the same scene.
Oh, Michael Lally is a fantastic element of Columbo. And yes, his role in “Now You See Him” is a keeper. My friend Kristina and I always call out “Lally!” when he appears on screen.
Me too! Fun drinking game!
Haa! We do too! Mike Lally’s son Michael Lally did a wonderful interview about his dad: http://www.columbo-site.freeuk.com/lally2.htm
I’ve tried to figure out who she is too. How about Celeste Yarnall?
At first look, I thought she looked like Peggy Lipton of “The Mod Squad” but I’m sure that if it was her, that would already have been confirmed!
No, I don’t think it’s her after having a closer look. We’ll get there one day!
The nude model is Cybil Shepherd.
No new leads? I’m dying to know! Someone HAS to know…
Still nothing concrete…
Did you ever try it with one of the localization studios in other countries? I know she got localized in the german version of the episode…
I haven’t. What does it mean?
Patricia Mattick is the model.
No it’s not her! She was in Ransom for a Dead Man and definitely a different actress.
Just checked Joanna Pettet’s picture and the image about looks like the spitting image of her. Born 1942 so she would have been late 20’s I think she’s our “suspect”!!!. #WhatwouldColumbodo
Sharon Tate.
If that’s guaranteed it would be a neat trick the Columbo series started in 71 except for a prescription murder the one pilot episode a couple of years earlier and Sharon Tate died in 69
As to the possibility of it being Sharon Tate, http://www.mileswmathis.com/tate.pdf
The following article has a good picture of Tate with which to make a comparison:
https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/margot-robbie-looks-eerily-like-sharon-tate-upon-time-hollywood-photo-170249094.html
I don’t think it’s Joanna Pettet.
Nor me.
posted b4…but can’t see where it posted..so here it is again…i think it’s peter fauks’ loving and poyal wife(real life wife) Shera Danese…really i think i am “almost” positive…type in ‘PETER FAULKS’ WIFE and look at newer pics as well as old…i believe it’s her…:)
?????…anyone else agree…?????
No, it’s not her I’m afraid.
I’ve written a letter to Donald P Desmond who is credited with the Transportation for the production. He’s 91 but lives in California. I guess he might know. If he cares to answer. I have his number but it seems a tad rude to call him up.
Wow, sounds like a hot lead. Thanks for the update and if he does get back to you I’ll be most interested to hear more!
hope you get a response Im sure you will let us know. I, (along with thousands of others) have googled the hell out of her and got zippo.
(touches forehead..stares into space..pauses)..oh..just one more thing b4 i go cp..could it be his devoted wife Shera..probably nothing sir..i was just wondering…::))…(shuffles away slowly… scratches back of head while putting lil stogie back in a half-smiling mouth)..love pf’s style…::))
(touches forehead..pauses..stares into space…)oh just one more thing b4 i go…is it p.faulks’ devoted wife…Shera…perhaps…(puts stub in mouth…walks away shaking head thoughtfully).???
and then i touched my forehead..tiled glance toward sky..and paused dramatically…just one more thing b4 i go….where were you??…ect ect…:))
driving me nuts as well. Looks like the only way to find out might be contacting one of the principals or the casting director (if still living). Please keep me posted
I certainly will. I’ve had no conclusive leads sadly.
I believe that it is an actress named Leoda Richards. It says on IMDb that she played an uncredited party guest at the art gallery, and when I googled images, those pictures of that blonde came up in that episode ‘Suitable for Framing.’ It also lists other Columbo episodes she was in as background.Museum Goer / Executive / Party Guest at Art Gallery / …
– Old Fashioned Murder (1976) … Museum Goer (uncredited)
– Lady in Waiting (1971) … Executive (uncredited)
– Suitable for Framing (1971) … Party Guest at Art Gallery (uncredited)
– Murder by the Book (1971) … Theatre Patron (uncredited)
Sharon Johanson played Miss Dudley in ‘Dagger of the Mind’. Hope that helps.
Thanks for that, but it’s not Leoda. She was in the same episode, but Leoda is much older (more than 60 at the time of filming). I reckon the lady we’re after was about 30-35 at time of filming but there are really no leads to go on. Most puzzling.
Sorry I couldn’t be of more help.
That’s OK, thanks for giving it a go! I hadn’t come across Leoda before so it was a new lead to follow.
Is it the model Diane Davies? She was on the cover of Playboy in 1971 and cover of Cosmopolitan March 1969. There is also an IMDB listing for a Diane Davies in the movie “Loving” 1970. They look alike but…??
I don’t *think* it’s her, based on face shape but it’s so hard to be sure. I’ll have a closer look. Thanks for your suggestion. We’ll get there one day!
I was able to do only a cursory bit of investigation on this, and I believe I have a suitable candidate for your mystery girl. I think it’s a strong lead, but I can’t state it with definity, so don’t go putting that Columbo film poster in a mailing tube, yet.
I believe she is Sharon Johansen. Miss Johansen’s largest claim to fame is her stint as a Playboy Playmate—Miss October, 1972. However, she has at least one confirmed link with Columbo—she appeared in the Columbo episode “Dagger of the Mind”. In the opening minutes of the episode, she appears in the theatre as “Miss Dudley”, a script girl whom becomes the target of flirtation from Richard Basehart’s character.
I’m old enough to have seen Miss Johansen’s pictorial when it came out in ’72, as well as having seen “Dagger of the Mind” when it originally aired. I’m an inveterate credit-reader, so I noticed her name in the closing credits.
Initially, I thought her appearance in the October, 1972 Playboy would work against her being your Mystery Girl in “Suitable for Framing”, which aired in the previous year, 1971. (Most Playmates use their Playboy appearances as the springboard TO an acting career.) However, in checking with IMdB, I found that Miss Johansen had at least two credited television appearances in 1971. So she was performing BEFORE her Playboy issue.
I noted in your plea for help uncovering the Mystery Girl’s identity, you stated “someone, who knows someone, who once knew someone who walked dogs for showbiz types in L.A.” I had to chuckle at that, for as happenstance would have it, Miss Johansen’s “day job” was dog walker/trainer.
Hope this helps, and good luck!
Hello there. Thanks for this sterling groundwork and information. Someone previously suggested that Sharon could be the mystery girl. I’ve had a good look at what images Google throws up and I don’t think it’s her, although I can’t be sure. I just don’t think the faces are quite a match. However, it’s very difficult to know anything conclusively. I’ll keep you in the loop if I hear anything else!
My apologies. I didn’t know that someone else had already suggested Sharon Johansen; otherwise, I wouldn’t have wasted your time.
I studied as many confirmed photos of Miss Johansen as I could against the pics of the Mystery Girl you posted above. I agree—it’s sketchy. Some of comparison photos looked spot-on to the pics of the Mystery Girl; others didn’t really pair up.
There’s a stong similarity in the two girls’ facial structure: a narrowing, but prominent chin; a small but defined nose; wide-set eyes. But without any corroborating information, the resemblence is not enough to take it to the bank. I only meant the suggestion of Miss Johansen to be a starting point, from which, perhaps, you could obtain that corroboration.
But I’m not 100% sold that it’s Miss Johansen, either. Too bad there’s no way, even in this era of social media, to ask her.
You weren’t wasting my time at all, fear not. Your suggestion had me studying the imagery very thoroughly just in case. I agree, it’s not conclusive either way and very hard to know how to get a definitive inside line on this, even in the social media age. But SOMEONE MUST KNOW!
I was able to do only a cursory bit of investigation on this, and I believe I have a suitable candidate for your mystery girl. I think it’s a strong lead, but I can’t state it with definity, so don’t go putting that Columbo film poster in a mailing tube, yet.
I believe she is Sharon Johansen. Miss Johansen’s largest claim to fame is her stint as a Playboy Playmate—Miss October, 1972. However, she has at least one confirmed link with Columbo—she appeared in the Columbo episode “Dagger of the Mind”. In the opening minutes of the episode, she appears in the theatre as “Miss Dudley”, a script girl whom becomes the target of flirtation from Richard Basehart’s character.
I’m old enough to have seen Miss Johansen’s pictorial when it came out in ’72, as well as having seen “Dagger of the Mind” when it originally aired. I’m an inveterate credit-reader, so I noticed her name in the closing credits.
Initially, I thought her appearance in the October, 1972 Playboy would work against her being your Mystery Girl in “Suitable for Framing”, which aired in the previous year, 1971. (Most Playmates use their Playboy appearances as the springboard TO an acting career.) However, in checking with IMdB, I found that Miss Johansen had at least two credited television appearances in 1971. So she was performing BEFORE her Playboy issue.
I noted in your plea for help uncovering the Mystery Girl’s identity, you stated “someone, who knows someone, who once knew someone who walked dogs for showbiz types in L.A.”. I had to chuckle at that. In a curious happenstance, Miss Johansen had a “day job” as a dog walker/trainer.
Like I said, I haven’t been able to nail it positively, but going over Google images of Miss Johansen, she’s a very strong resemblance. Anyway, it gives you a lead.
Hope this helps, and good luck!
Sorry, this was my original post of my commentary above; I thought it didn’t take and that’s why I went ahead with the other one. This one must have been caught in cyber-space for awhile.
I would love to know the answer. I love rewatching Columbo and drive my family crazy picking up on continuity errors. My favourite detective of all time. Please keep us informed.
I certainly will, thanks for your comment.
It looks like Joanna Pettet to me. She was in several of the nbc mystery movies. Banacek – project Phoenix and a McLoud episode that’s my guess.
Thanks Peter, this is the first new name to be raised in the quest to identify her. I’ll do some close looking at imagery of the two!
Hi Peter, I’ve had a closer look. Joanna looks very similar in a few photos, but very different in others. I suspect it’s not her but will wait and see what others make of it.
Wow, what a mystery! Now you have me dying to know as well! Please keep us posted!
I certainly will, thank you!
It Joanna. I’m pretty sure. I’m portraitist and cartoonist and I’m really good at figures.
Funny, but I just watched this episode again tonight and wondered the same about who this mystery actress was playing the nude artist model. So I’ve been looking at the pictures of Joanna Pettet .. and I have to agree! I’m a photographer of people and good at this sort of thing. Is there anyway to confirm this? Ms. Pettet is 73 now, and living in the UK … quite an attractive woman back then and now!