Is Columbo (the television detective) genuinely awkward or is this just an act?

Question

I'm a fan of Columbo (the early shows not those made in the 90's) and in watching them I've been able to build up a profile of his character e.g. his like of chile soup. However, what I'm not entirely sure of, is his bumbling demeanor; is he a brilliant detective who also happens to be a bit forgetful, clumsy, shy, et al. or is this an act he adopts to lure any suspect into a false sense of security?

Answer 1

I always thought it was a natural goofyness that he played to his advantage. Like he was really that way, but he was aware of it and he knew how to use it to trip people up.

Answer 2

It is an act to lure the suspect into his trap. Columbo knows who committed the crime the moment he meets them. The rest of the episode is just Columbo figuring out how they did it.

Answer 3

I saw that and thought about all those Columbo episodes we used to watch years ago - classic series and Peter Falk was so great He will be missed RIP Peter

Answer 4

Definitely an act, put perhaps an act that is an embellishment of his true character. Columbo is awesome!

Answer 5

Columbo used his shabby look and absent minded persona to lull the criminal into a false sense of security,,,,,just one more thing,,,,,,,,Peter Falk was a great actor. (he used that line at the end of each show)

Answer 6

Actually, if you watch the show enough, you will see him when he is not 'acting' and although he is more straightforward, he is still a bit goofy. Like when he is talking to his police buddies or what have you.

Answer 7

he has a glass eye in real life.so that would explain the clumsiness.

Answer 8

was a act

Answer 9

brilliant disguise