If you were a fan of the 1970s-1980s crime investigation drama Columbo, I am sure you were familiar with Barney, and the other various characters that John Finnegan brought to the show. Unfortunately, on July 29th of 2012, this wonderful character passed away.

Other major roles Finnegan participated in that he was well-known for were: the voice of Warren T. Rat in the animated class An American Tail, Sam Simpson alongside Robert Redford in The Natural, various roles in the 1970’s McCloud television series, and Speaker of the House in Mars Attacks.

Finnegan also landed various small and one-time roles in popular TV shows, such as: an officer in the trauma room in Galactica 1980, Captain Stewart in Cagney & Lacey, Mr. Gillespie in Matlock, Watch Commander in Last Action Hero, and Mitchell in ER.

On July 29th, 2012, John Finnegan died after a long battle with pneumonia. He was 85 years old.