Val had quite an interestng career. I mean, how many actors were in both "The Magnificent Seven" and "Cheech & Chong's Up in Smoke"?
He was one of several "Columbo" players who shared Peter Falk's connection with appearing in John Cassavetes movies. And he was certainly a great example of how "Columbo" was made so much better by the care put into the casting of the secondary roles. He will be missed.