Peter Falk’s Columbo has such distinctive mannerisms, I’m surprised the character hasn’t been more widely parodied. Here’s eight celebrity impressions I managed to find on YouTube—what do you think of them, and whose do you think are the best?
Got any other good Columbo impressions or parodies to share?
I remember Steve Lawrence’s impression on The Carol Burnett Show. It was okay, I guess, but (IMHO) nothing special. Can’t comment on the others, since I don’t think I’ve seen any of them. However, I’m sure that Johnny Carson would have done a good one.
Fortunately for you, they’re only a click away (and all fairly brief).
Billy Howard was the best.
After watching all of the above, I’m convinced all it takes to do an “impression” of Lt Columbo is a raincoat and a cigar. 
A friend of mine took a Theatre course in college where the instructor was a true master of disguise. According to my friend, the instructor’s impression of Columbo was eerily realistic.
I can’t decide - some of the entries in this list get close with the voice; some get close with the mannerisms and some get the look and movement of the character better than others. I think with all of them, I would immediately get what they’re shooting for, but as an avid Columbo watcher, there’s always just one little thing wrong with any impression.
You forgot this one? For shame.
Not bad, and the contextualization is certainly original.
Sesame Street had Colambo:
Yes, performed by puppeteer Joey Mazzarino! It was one of the poll options in the original post.
Ha - missed that one!
Can’t find it online, but Wayne Brady impersonated Columbo while performing an opera-style number called “Aaahh, Just One More Thing" on the first U.S. version of Whose Line Is It Anyway?.
Hijack: I’ve watched about 50 Princess Bride reaction videos on Youtube, and have been surprised how few people recognize Peter Falk. My memory is just two reactors say something like “Is that Columbo?”. The reactors are almost all in their 20s or 30s, but I’d have thought there’d be more cultural osmosis, based on the reruns, the decades of Falk playing Columbo, and multinational popularity of the series.
The actors most commonly recognized are Andre (by far), Robin Wright (…Jenny?), Fred Savage, Billy Crystal (“I know that voice!”), Elwes (Men in Tights!), and Wallace Shawn (“He’s been in a lot of stuff”). Mandy Patinkin and Carol Kane probably edge out Falk, who ranks about even with Christopher Guest and maybe ahead of Chris Sarandon.
This reminds me of Wayne Brady’s Ed Wynn impression on Whose Line is it Anyway?, to which his co-star jokingly reacted, “Can’t you do anyone from the last ten years?”
Perhaps I should have started this thread 20 years ago, back when there were more active posters who would have known who I’m talking about.
…in the voice of Peter Lorre.