'Scandal' Star -- Columbus Short is a Great Guy

Columbus Short is the "best man" ... so says his former co-star, Jeff Perry, who plays Cyrus Beene.

It's interesting ... check out how solidly Perry supports Short. It's unclear if he knows Short just pled no contest to spousal battery and has another unresolved domestic violence case as well.

Columbus has also been charged with aggravated battery in connection with a fight at an L.A. sports bar. He was arrested in another bar fight in Dallas over the July 4th weekend.

Columbus also had a warrant out for his arrest ... for blowing off a criminal court hearing in favor of a Barbados vacation. And he got arrested for that warrant and didn't show in another case so a judge issued a second warrant.