Great Ex-Wife in Castle (and Columbo)

In "The Late Shaft," Castle and Beckett interview the first wife of a late-night comedian. She, Barbara, is the classical first wife who understands her ex-husband better than his later "trophy" wives. 

Columbo presents a similar character, Goldie, in "Blueprint for Murder." Both Goldie and Barbara are straight talkers. They both accepted the dead ex-husband as he was. However, their acceptance doesn't indicate a loss of toughness. They aren't doormats. 

Barbara, played by Beth Broderick, has two additional characteristics that stand out: a soft gentle sorrow to which Rick responds with a sweet smile--and a husky voice. Her notable line, "I told him, 'You're a lousy husband, but you're a hell of a man" is delivered with poignancy.

Beth Broderick is one of those working actors I admire so much. Such actors are always doing something all the time. Her first credited work is in 1983. She has a work in current post-production. She has done everything from Supernatural to mystery, including CSI. She was Monica Hunter in Leverage. She takes bit parts, guest parts, regular parts.  

Great character! Great actress! Great scene!

but you're a hell of a man."