Peter Michael Falk(September 16, 1927 – June 23, 2011) was an American film and television actor, singer and television director and producer. He is best known for his role asLieutenant Columboon theNBC/ABCseriesColumbo(1968–1978, 1989–2003), for which he won fourPrimetime Emmy Awards(1972, 1975, 1976, 1990) and aGolden Globe Award(1973). In 1996,TV Guideranked Falk No. 21 on its 50 Greatest TV Stars of All Time list.[1]He received a posthumous star on theHollywood Walk of Famein 2013.[2][3]
Peter Falk | |
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Born | Peter Michael Falk September 16, 1927 The Bronx,New York City, U.S. |
Died | June 23, 2011 Beverly Hills,California | (aged 83)
Resting place | Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery |
Education | Hamilton College New School(BA) Syracuse University(MPA) |
Occupations |
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Years active | 1956–2009 |
Known for | |
Spouses |
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Children | 2 |
Awards | Hollywood Walk of Fame |
Signature | |
He first starred as Columbo in two 2-hour "World Premiere" TV pilots; the first withGene Barryin 1968 and the second withLee Grantin 1971. The show then aired as part ofThe NBC Mystery Movieseries from 1971 to 1978, and again onABCfrom 1989 to 2003.[4]
Falk was twice nominated for theAcademy Award for Best Supporting Actor,forMurder, Inc.(1960) andPocketful of Miracles(1961), and won his firstEmmy Awardin 1962 forThe Dick Powell Theatre.He was the first actor to be nominated for anAcademy Awardand anEmmy Awardin the same year, achieving the feat twice (1961 and 1962). He went on to appear in such films asIt's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World(1963),The Great Race(1965),Anzio(1968),Murder by Death(1976),The Cheap Detective(1978),The Brink's Job(1978),The In-Laws(1979),The Princess Bride(1987),Wings of Desire(1987),The Player(1992), andNext(2007), as well as many television guest roles.
Falk was also known for his collaborations with filmmaker, actor, and personal friendJohn Cassavetes,acting in films such asHusbands(1970),A Woman Under the Influence(1974),Elaine May'sMikey and Nicky(1976) and theColumboepisode "Étude in Black"(1972).
Early life
editBorn inThe Bronx,New York City, Falk was the son of Michael Peter Falk, owner of a clothing anddry goodsstore, and his wife, Madeline (née Hochhauser).[5]Both his parents were Jewish.[6]
Falk's right eye was surgically removed when he was three because of aretinoblastoma.[a]He wore anartificial eyefor most of his life.[7]The artificial eye was the cause of his trademarksquint.[8]Despite this limitation, as a boy he participated in team sports, mainly baseball and basketball. In a 1997 interview inCigar Aficionadomagazine withArthur Marx,Falk said:
I remember once in high school theumpirecalled me out at third base when I was sure I was safe. I got so mad I took out my glass eye, handed it to him and said, 'Try this.' I got such a laugh you wouldn't believe. "[9]
Falk's first stage appearance was at age 12 inThe Pirates of PenzanceatCamp High Point[10]in upstate New York, where one of his camp counselors wasRoss Martin.[b]Falk attendedOssining High SchoolinWestchester County, New York,where he was a star athlete and president of his senior class.[11]He graduated in 1945.[12]
Falk briefly attendedHamilton CollegeinClinton, New York.He then tried to join the armed services, asWorld War IIwas drawing to a close. Rejected because of his missing eye, he joined theUnited States Merchant Marineand served as a cook and mess boy. Falk said of the experience in 1997: "There they don't care if you're blind or not. The only one on a ship who has to see is the captain. And in the case of theTitanic,he couldn't see very well, either. "[9]Falk recalled in his autobiography:
A year on the water was enough for me, so I returned to college. I didn't stay long. Too itchy. What to do next? I signed up to go to Israel to fight in the war on its attack on Egypt. I wasn't passionate about Israel, I wasn't passionate about Egypt—I just wanted more excitement… I got assigned a ship and departure date but the war was over before the ship ever sailed.[13]
After a year and a half in the Merchant Marine, Falk returned to Hamilton College and also attended theUniversity of Wisconsin.He transferred toThe New School for Social Researchin New York City, which awarded him a bachelor's degree in literature and political science in 1951.
Falk traveled in Europe and worked on a railroad inYugoslaviafor six months.[14]He returned to New York, enrolling atSyracuse University,[9]but he recalled in his 2006 memoir,Just One More Thing,that he was unsure what he wanted to do with his life for years after leaving high school.[15]Falk obtained aMaster of Public Administrationdegree at theMaxwell Schoolof Syracuse University in 1953. The program was designed to train civil servants for the federal government, a career that Falk said in his memoir he had "no interest in and no aptitude for."[16]
Career
editEarly career
editHe applied for a job with theCIA,but he was rejected because of his membership in theMarine Cooks and Stewards Unionwhile serving in the Merchant Marine, even though he was required to join and was not active in the union (which had been under fire for communist leanings).[17]He then became a management analyst with the Connecticut State Budget Bureau inHartford.[18]In 1997, Falk characterized his Hartford job as "efficiency expert": "I was such an efficiency expert that the first morning on the job, I couldn't find the building where I was to report for work. Naturally, I was late, which I always was in those days, but ironically it was my tendency never to be on time that got me started as a professional actor."[9]
Stage career
editWhile working in Hartford, Falk joined a community theater group called the Mark Twain Masquers, where he performed in plays that includedThe Caine Mutiny Court-Martial,The Crucible,andThe Country GirlbyClifford Odets.Falk also studied withEva Le Gallienne,who was giving an acting class at theWhite Barn TheatreinWestport,Connecticut. Falk later recalled how he "lied his way" into the class, which was for professional actors. He drove down to Westport from Hartford every Wednesday, when the classes were held, and was usually late.[9]In his 1997 interview withArthur MarxinCigar AficionadoMagazine, Falk said of Le Gallienne: "One evening when I arrived late, she looked at me and asked, 'Young man, why are you always late?' and I said, 'I have to drive down from Hartford.'" She looked down her nose and said, "What do you do in Hartford? There's no theater there. How do you make a living acting?" Falk confessed he was not a professional actor. According to him Le Gallienne looked at him sternly and said: "Well, you should be." He drove back to Hartford and quit his job.[9]Falk stayed with the Le Gallienne group for a few months more, and obtained a letter of recommendation from Le Galliene to an agent at theWilliam Morris Agencyin New York.[9]In 1956, he left his job with the Budget Bureau and moved toGreenwich Villageto pursue an acting career.[19]
Falk's first New York stage role was in anoff-Broadwayproduction ofMolière'sDon Juanat the Fourth Street Theatre that closed after its only performance on January 3, 1956. Falk played the second lead, Sganarelle.[20]His next theater role proved far better for his career. In May, he appeared as Rocky Pioggi atCircle in the Squarein a revival ofThe Iceman Comethdirected byJose Quintero,withJason Robardsplaying the lead role of Theodore "Hickey" Hickman.[18][21]
Later in 1956, Falk made his Broadway debut, appearing inAlexander Ostrovsky'sDiary of a Scoundrel.As the year came to an end, he appeared again on Broadway as an English soldier inShaw'sSaint JoanwithSiobhán McKenna.[22]Falk continued to act in summer stock theater productions, including a staging ofArnold Schulman'sA Hole in the Head,at the Colonie Summer Theatre (near Albany, NY) in July 1962; it starredPriscilla Morrill.
In 1972, Falk appeared in Broadway'sThe Prisoner of Second Avenue.According to film historianEphraim Katz:"His characters derive added authenticity from his squinty gaze, the result of the loss of an eye..."[23]However, this production caused Falk a great deal of stress, both on and offstage. He struggled with memorizing a short speech, spending hours trying to memorize three lines. The next day at rehearsal, he reported feeling a strange "tingling" sensation in his neck and acting oddly. This caught the attention of a stage manager, who told him to go "take aValium".Only later did Falk realize he was having ananxiety attack.He would not go on to perform in any other plays, citing both this incident and his preference for acting in film andtelevision productions.[24][25]
Early films
editDespite his stage success, a theatrical agent advised Falk not to expect muchfilm actingwork because of his artificial eye.[18]He failed a screen test atColumbia Picturesand was told by studio bossHarry Cohn:"For the same price I can get an actor with two eyes." He also failed to get a role in the filmMarjorie Morningstar,despite a promising interview for the second lead.[26]His first film performances were in small roles inWind Across the Everglades(1958),The Bloody Brood(1959), andPretty Boy Floyd(1960). Falk's performance inMurder, Inc.(1960) was a turning point in his career. He was cast in the supporting role of killerAbe Relesin a film based on the real-lifemurder gang of that namewho terrorized New York in the 1930s.The New York Timesfilm criticBosley Crowther,while dismissing the movie as "an average gangster film," singled out Falk's "amusingly vicious performance."[27]Crowther wrote:[27]
Mr. Falk, moving as if weary, looking at people out of the corners of his eyes and talking as if he had borrowed Marlon Brando's chewing gum, seems a travesty of a killer, until the water suddenly freezes in his eyes and he whips an icepick from his pocket and starts punching holes in someone's ribs. Then viciousness pours out of him and you get a sense of a felon who is hopelessly cracked and corrupt.
The film turned out to be Falk's breakout role. In his autobiography,Just One More Thing(2006), Falk said his selection for the film from thousands of otherOff-Broadwayactors was a "miracle" that "made my career" and that without it, he would not have received the other significant movie roles that he later played.[28]Falk, who played Reles again in the 1960 TV seriesThe Witness,was nominated for aBest Supporting ActorAcademy Awardfor his performance in the film.
In 1961, multiple Academy Award-winning directorFrank Capracast Falk in the comedyPocketful of Miracles.The film was Capra's last feature, and although it was not the commercial success he hoped it would be, he "gushed about Falk's performance."[4]Falk was nominated for an Oscar for the role. In his autobiography, Capra wrote about Falk:
The entire production was agony... except for Peter Falk. He was my joy, my anchor to reality. Introducing that remarkable talent to the techniques of comedy made me forget pains, tired blood, and maniacal hankerings to murderGlenn Ford(the film's star). Thank you Peter Falk.[29]: 480
For his part, Falk says he "never worked with a director who showed greater enjoyment of actors and the acting craft. There is nothing more important to an actor than to know that the one person who represents the audience to you, the director, is responding well to what you are trying to do." Falk once recalled how Capra reshot a scene even though he yelled "Cut and Print," indicating the scene was finalized. When Falk asked him why he wanted it reshot: "He laughed and said that he loved the scene so much he just wanted to see us do it again. How's that for support!"[4]
For the remainder of the 1960s, Falk had mainly supporting movie roles and TV guest-starring appearances. Falk portrayed one of two cabbies who falls victim to greed in the epic 1963 star-studded comedyIt's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World,although he appears only in the last fifth of the movie. His other roles included the character of Guy Gisborne in theRat Packmusical comedyRobin and the 7 Hoods(1964), in which he sings one of the film's numbers, and the spoofThe Great Race(1965) withJack LemmonandTony Curtis.
Early television roles
editFalk first appeared on television in 1957, in the dramatic anthology programs that later became known as the "Golden Age of Television".In 1957, he appeared in one episode ofRobert Montgomery Presents.He was also cast inStudio One,Kraft Television Theater,New York Confidential,Naked City,The Untouchables,Have Gun–Will Travel,The Islanders,andDecoywithBeverly Garlandcast as the first female police officer in a series lead. Falk often portrayed unsavory characters on television during the early 1960s. InThe Twilight Zoneepisode "The Mirror," Falk starred as a paranoidCastro-type revolutionary who, intoxicated with power, begins seeing would-be assassins in a mirror. He also starred in two ofAlfred Hitchcock's television series, as a gangster terrified of death in a 1961 episode ofAlfred Hitchcock Presentsand as a homicidal evangelist in 1962'sThe Alfred Hitchcock Hour.[30]
In 1961, Falk was nominated for anEmmy Award[31]for his performance in the episode "Cold Turkey" ofJames Whitmore's short-lived seriesThe Law and Mr. JonesonABC.On September 29, 1961, Falk andWalter Matthauguest-starred in the premiere episode, "The Million Dollar Dump", of ABC's crime dramaTarget: The Corruptors,withStephen McNallyandRobert Harland.He won an Emmy for "The Price of Tomatoes,"a drama carried in 1962 onThe Dick Powell Show.
In 1961, Falk earned the distinction of becoming the first actor to be nominated for an Oscar and an Emmy in the same year. He received nominations for his supporting roles inMurder, Inc.and the television programThe Law and Mr. Jones.Incredibly, Falk repeated this double nomination in 1962, being nominated again for a supporting actor role inPocketful of Miraclesand best actor in "The Price of Tomatoes," an episode ofThe Dick Powell Show,for which he took home the award.[30]
In 1963, Falk andTommy Sandsappeared in "The Gus Morgan Story" on ABC'sWagon Trainas brothers who disagreed on the route for a railroad. Falk played the title role of "Gus", and Sands was his younger brother, Ethan Morgan. After Ethan accidentally shoots wagonmaster Chris Hale, played byJohn McIntire,while in the mountains, Gus has to decide whether to rescue Hale or his brother (suffering from oxygen deprivation). This episode is remembered for its examination of how far a man will persist amid adversity to preserve his own life and that of his brother.[32]
Having had many roles in film and television during the early 1960s, Falk's first lead in a television series came with CBS'sThe Trials of O'Brien.The show ran from 1965 to 1966, its 22 episodes featuring Falk as a Shakespeare-quoting lawyer who defends clients while solving mysteries.[30]In 1966, he also co-starred in a television production ofBrigadoonwithRobert Goulet.
In 1971,Pierre Cossetteproduced the firstGrammy Awardsshow on television with some help from Falk. Cossette writes in his autobiography, "What meant the most to me, though, is the fact that Peter Falk saved my ass. I love show business, and I love Peter Falk."[33]
Columbo
editAlthough Falk appeared in numerous other television roles in the 1960s and 1970s, he is best known as the star of the TV seriesColumbo,"everyone's favorite rumpled television detective."[4]His character, known for hiscatchphrase:"Just one more thing,"[34]was a shabby and deceptively absent-minded police detective driving aPeugeot 403,who had first appeared in the 1968 filmPrescription: Murder.Columbowas created byWilliam LinkandRichard Levinson.[30]The show was of a type known as aninverted detective story;it typically revealed the murderer at the beginning, then showed how the Los Angeles homicide detective went about solving the crime. Falk would describe his role to film historian and author David Fantle:
Columbo has a genuine mistiness about him. It seems to hang in the air… [and] he's capable of being distracted… Columbo is an ass-backwardsSherlock Holmes.Holmes had a long neck, Columbo has no neck; Holmes smoked a pipe, Columbo chews up six cigars a day.[4]
Television critic Ben Falk (no relation) added that Falk "created an iconic cop… who always got his man (or woman) after a tortuous cat-and-mouse investigation." He also noted the idea for the character was "apparently inspired by Dostoyevsky's dogged police inspector, Porfiry Petrovich, in the novelCrime and Punishment."[35]
Peter Falk tries to analyze the character and notes the correlation between his own personality and Columbo's:
I'm aVirgoJew, and that means I have an obsessive thoroughness. It's not enough to get most of the details; it's necessary to get them all. I've been accused of perfectionism. WhenLew Wasserman(head of Universal Studios) said that Falk is a perfectionist, I don't know whether it was out of affection or because he felt I was a monumental pain in the ass.[4]
With "general amazement," Falk notes: "The show is all over the world. I've been to little villages in Africa with maybe one TV set, and little kids will run up to me shouting, 'Columbo, Columbo!'"[4]SingerJohnny Cashrecalled acting in one episode ( "Swan Song" ), and although he was not an experienced actor, he writes in his autobiography, "Peter Falk was good to me. I wasn't at all confident about handling a dramatic role, and every day he helped me in all kinds of little ways."[36]
The first episode ofColumboas a series was directed in 1971 by a 24-year-oldSteven Spielbergin one of his earliest directing jobs. Falk recalled the episode to Spielberg biographerJoseph McBride:
Let's face it, we had some good fortune at the beginning. Our debut episode, in 1971, was directed by this young kid named Steven Spielberg. I told the producers, Link and Levinson: "This guy is too good forColumbo"... Steven was shooting me with a long lens from across the street. That wasn't common twenty years ago. The comfort level it gave me as an actor, besides it's a great look artistically—well, it told you that this wasn't any ordinary director.[37]
The character of Columbo had previously been played byBert Freedin a 1960 television episode ofThe Chevy Mystery Show( "Enough Rope" ), and byThomas MitchellonBroadway.Falk first played Columbo inPrescription: Murder,a 1968 TV movie, and the 1970 pilot for the series,Ransom for a Dead Man.From 1971 to 1978,Columboaired regularly on NBC as part of theumbrella seriesNBC Mystery Movie.All episodes were of TV movie length, in a 90- or 120-minute slot including commercials. In 1989, the show returned on ABC in the form of a less frequent series of TV movies, still starring Falk, airing until 2003. Falk won four Emmys for his role as Columbo.[38]
Columbowas so popular, co-creatorWilliam Linkwrote a series of short stories published asThe Columbo Collection(Crippen & Landru, 2010) which includes a drawing by Falk of himself as Columbo, while the cover features a caricature of Falk/Columbo byAl Hirschfeld.[39]
Lieutenant Columboowns aBasset Houndnamed Dog. Originally, it was not going to appear in the show because Peter Falk believed that it ‘already had enough gimmicks’ but once the two met, Falk stated that Dog "was exactly the type of dog that Columbo would own", so he was added to the show and made his first appearance in 1972's "Étude In Black".[40]
Columbo's wardrobe was provided by Peter Falk; they were his own clothes, including the high-topped shoes and the shabby raincoat, which made its first appearance inPrescription: Murder.Falk would oftenad libhis character's idiosyncrasies (fumbling through his pockets for a piece of evidence and discovering a grocery list, asking to borrow a pencil, becoming distracted by something irrelevant in the room at a dramatic point in a conversation with a suspect, etc.), inserting these into his performance as a way to keep his fellow actors off-balance. He felt it helped to make their confused and impatient reactions to Columbo's antics more genuine.[41]According to Levinson, the catchphrase "one more thing" was conceived when he and Link were writing the play: "we had a scene that was too short, and we'd already had Columbo make his exit. We were too lazy to retype the scene, so we had him come back and say, 'Oh, just one more thing...' It was never planned."[42]
Columbofeatured an unofficial signature tune, the children's song "This Old Man".It was introduced in the episode" Any Old Port in a Storm "in 1973 and the detective can be heard humming or whistling it often in subsequent films. Peter Falk admitted that it was a melody he enjoyed, and one day it became a part of his character.[43]The tune was also used in various score arrangements throughout the three decades of the series, including opening and closing credits. A version of it, titled "Columbo", was created by one of the show's composers,Patrick Williams.[44]
A few years prior to his death, Falk had expressed interest in returning to the role. In 2007, he said he had chosen a script for one last Columbo episode, "Columbo: Hear No Evil". The script was renamed "Columbo's Last Case". ABC declined the project. In response, producers for the series attempted to shop the project to foreign production companies.[45][46]However, Falk was diagnosed withdementiain late 2007. Falk died on June 23, 2011, aged 83.[47][48][49]
Peter Falk won fourEmmy Awardsfor his portrayal of Lieutenant Columbo in 1972, 1975, 1976 and 1990. Falk directed just one episode: "Blueprint for Murder" in 1971, although it is rumored that he andJohn Cassaveteswere largely responsible for direction duties on "Étude in Black" in 1972. Falk's own favoriteColumboepisodes were "Any Old Port in a Storm", "Forgotten Lady", "Now You See Him" and "Identity Crisis". Falk was rumored to be earning a record $300,000 per episode when he returned forSeason 6ofColumboin 1976.[50]This doubled to $600,000 per episode when the series made its comeback in 1989. In 1997, "Murder by the Book" was ranked at No. 16 inTV Guide's '100 Greatest Episodes of All Time' list. Two years later, the magazine ranked Lieutenant Columbo No. 7 on its '50 Greatest TV Characters of All Time' list.[51]
Later career
editFalk was a close friend of independent film directorJohn Cassavetesand appeared in his filmsHusbands,A Woman Under the Influence,and, in acameo,at the end ofOpening Night.Cassavetes guest-starred in theColumboepisode "Étude in Black" in 1972; Falk, in turn, co-starred with Cassavetes in Elaine May's filmMikey and Nicky(1976). Falk describes his experiences working with Cassavetes, specifically remembering his directing strategies: "Shooting an actor when he might be unaware the camera was running."
You never knew when the camera might be going. And it was never: 'Stop. Cut. Start again.' John would walk in the middle of a scene and talk, and though you didn't realize it, the camera kept going. So I never knew what the hell he was doing. [Laughs] But he ultimately made me, and I think every actor, less self-conscious, less aware of the camera than anybody I've ever worked with.[52]
In 1978, Falk appeared on the comedy TV showThe Dean Martin Celebrity Roast,portraying his Columbo character, withFrank Sinatrathe evening's victim.[53]DirectorWilliam Friedkinsaid of Falk's role in his filmThe Brink's Job(1978): "Peter has a great range from comedy to drama. He could break your heart or he could make you laugh."[54]
Falk continued to work in films, including his performance as an ex-CIAofficer of questionable sanity in the comedyThe In-Laws.DirectorArthur Hillersaid during an interview that the "film started out becauseAlan Arkinand Peter Falk wanted to work together. They went to Warner Brothers and said, 'We'd like to do a picture,' and Warner said fine... and out cameThe In-laws... of all the films I've done,The In-lawsis the one I get the most comments on. "[54]: 290 Movie criticRoger Ebertcompared the film with a later remake:
Peter Falk and Alan Arkin in the earlier film, versus Michael Douglas and Albert Brooks this time... yet the chemistry is better in the earlier film. Falk goes into his deadpan lecturer mode, slowly and patiently explaining things that sound like utter nonsense. Arkin develops good reasons for suspecting he is in the hands of a madman.[55]
Falk appeared inThe Great Muppet Caper,The Princess Bride,Murder by Death,The Cheap Detective,Vibes,Made,and inWim Wenders' 1987 German language filmWings of Desireand its 1993 sequel,Faraway, So Close!.InWings of Desire,Falk played a semi-fictionalized version of himself, a famous American actor who had once been an angel, but who had grown disillusioned with only observing life on Earth and had in turn given up his immortality. Falk described the role as "the craziest thing that I've ever been offered", but he earned critical acclaim for his supporting performance in the film.[56]
In 1998, Falk returned to the New York stage to star in anOff-Broadwayproduction ofArthur Miller'sMr. Peters' Connections.His previous stage work included shady real estate salesman Shelley "the Machine" Levine in the 1986 Boston/Los Angeles production ofDavid Mamet's prizewinningGlengarry Glen Ross.[57]
Falk starred in a trilogy of holiday television movies –A Town Without Christmas(2001),Finding John Christmas(2003), andWhen Angels Come to Town(2004) – in which he portrayed Max, a quirkyguardian angelwho uses disguises and subterfuge to steer his charges onto the right path. In 2005, he starred inThe Thing About My Folks.Although movie criticRoger Ebertwas not impressed with most of the other actors, he wrote in his review: "... We discover once again what a warm and engaging actor Peter Falk is. I can't recommend the movie, but I can be grateful that I saw it, for Falk."[58]In 2007, Falk appeared withNicolas Cagein the thrillerNext.
Falk's autobiography,Just One More Thing,was published in 2006.[30]
Personal life
editFalk married Alyce Mayo, whom he met when the two were students atSyracuse University,[59]on April 17, 1960. The couple adopted two daughters, Catherine (who became aprivate investigator) and Jackie. Falk and his wife divorced in 1976. On December 7, 1977, he married actressShera Danese,[60]who guest-starred in more episodes of theColumboseries than any other actress.
Falk was an accomplished artist, and in October 2006 he had an exhibition of his drawings at theButler Institute of American Art.[61]He took classes at theArt Students League of New Yorkfor many years.[62][63]
Falk was a chess aficionado and a spectator at the American Open in Santa Monica, California, in November 1972, and at the U.S. Open in Pasadena, California, in August 1983.[64]
His memoirJust One More Thing(ISBN978-0-78671795-8) was published byCarroll & Grafon August 23, 2006.
Health
editIn December 2008 it was reported that Falk had been diagnosed withAlzheimer's disease.[65]In June 2009, at a two-dayconservatorshiptrial in Los Angeles, one of Falk's personal physicians, Dr. Stephen Read, reported he had rapidly slipped into dementia after a series of dental operations in 2007.[66]Dr. Read said it was unclear whether Falk's condition had worsened as a result of anesthesia or some other reaction to the operations. Shera Danese Falk was appointed as her husband's conservator.[67]
Death
editOn the evening of June 23, 2011, Falk died at his longtime home on Roxbury Drive in Beverly Hills at the age of 83.[68][69]The causes of death were pneumonia and Alzheimer's disease.[70]His daughters said they would remember his "wisdom and humor".[71]He is buried atWestwood Village Memorial Park Cemeteryin Los Angeles, California.[72]
His death was marked by tributes from many film celebrities includingJonah HillandStephen Fry.[73][74]Steven Spielbergsaid, "I learned more about acting from him at that early stage of my career than I had from anyone else".[75]Rob Reinersaid: "He was a completely unique actor", and went on to say that Falk's work withAlan ArkininThe In-Lawswas "one of the most brilliant comedy pairings we've seen on screen".[76]His epitaph reads: "I'm not here, I'm home with Shera."[77]
Peter Falk's Law
editAccording to Falk's daughter Catherine, his second wife Shera Danese (who also was hisconservator) allegedly stopped some of his family members from visiting him; did not notify them of major changes in his condition; and did not notify them of his death and funeral arrangements.[78]Catherine encouraged the passage in 2015 of legislation called colloquially "Peter Falk's Law".[78]The new law was passed in New York state to protect children from being cut off from news of serious medical and end-of-life developments regarding their parents or from contact with them. The law provides guidelines regarding visitation rights and notice of death with which an incapacitated person's guardians or conservators must comply.[79][60][80][81]
As of 2020, more than fifteen states had enacted such laws.[82]In introducing the measure, New York State SenatorJohn DeFranciscosaid, "For every wrong there should be a remedy. This bill gives a remedy to children of elderly and infirm parents who have been cut off from receiving information about their parents. It also gives them an avenue through the courts to obtain visitation rights with the parents."[83]
Filmography
editFilm
editYear | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1958 | Wind Across the Everglades | Writer | film debut |
1959 | The Bloody Brood | Nico | |
1960 | Pretty Boy Floyd | Shorty Walters | |
Murder, Inc. | Abe Reles | Academy Award nomination | |
The Secret of the Purple Reef | Tom Weber | ||
1961 | Pocketful of Miracles | Joy Boy | Academy Award nomination |
1962 | Pressure Point | Young Psychiatrist | |
1963 | The Balcony | Police Chief | |
It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World | Third Cab Driver | ||
1964 | Robin and the 7 Hoods | Guy Gisborne | |
Attack and Retreat | Medic Captain | ||
1965 | The Great Race | Maximilian Meen | |
1966 | Penelope | Lieutenant Horatio Bixbee | |
1967 | Luv | Milt Manville | |
Too Many Thieves | Danny | ||
1968 | Anzio | Corporal Jack Rabinoff | |
1969 | Machine Gun McCain | Charlie Adamo | |
Castle Keep | Sergeant Rossi | ||
1970 | Operation Snafu | Peter Pawney | |
Husbands | Archie Black | ||
1974 | A Woman Under the Influence | Nick Longhetti | |
1976 | Griffin and Phoenix | Geoffrey Griffin | |
Murder by Death | Sam Diamond | ||
Mikey and Nicky | Mikey | ||
1977 | Opening Night | Himself | Cameo appearance, uncredited |
1978 | The Cheap Detective | Lou Peckinpaugh | |
The Brink's Job | Tony Pino | ||
Scared Straight! | Himself – Narrator | ||
1979 | The In-Laws | Vincent J. Ricardo | |
1981 | The Great Muppet Caper | Tramp | |
...All the Marbles | Harry Sears | ||
1986 | Big Trouble | Steve Rickey | |
1987 | Wings of Desire | Himself | |
Happy New Year | Nick | ||
The Princess Bride | Grandfather / Narrator | ||
1988 | Vibes | Harry Buscafusco | |
1989 | Cookie | Dominick "Dino" Capisco | |
1990 | In the Spirit | Roger Flan | |
Tune in Tomorrow | Pedro Carmichael | ||
1992 | Faraway, So Close! | Himself | |
The Player | |||
1995 | Roommates | Rocky Holzcek | |
Cops n Roberts | Salvatore Santini | ||
1998 | Money Kings | Vinnie Glynn | |
2000 | Lakeboat | The Pierman | |
Enemies of Laughter | Paul's Father | ||
2001 | Hubert's Brain | Thompson | Voice |
Made | Max | ||
Corky Romano | Francis A. "Pops" Romano | ||
2002 | Three Days of Rain | Waldo | |
Undisputed | Mendy Ripstein | ||
2004 | Shark Tale | Don Ira Feinberg | Voice,cameo |
2005 | Checking Out | Morris Applebaum | |
The Thing About My Folks | Sam Kleinman | ||
2007 | Three Days to Vegas | Gus 'Fitzy' Fitzgerald | |
Next | Irv | ||
2009 | American Cowslip | Father Randolph | Final film role |
Television
editYear | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1957 | Robert Montgomery Presents | Season 8 Episode 36: "Return Visit" | |
Studio One | Carmen's Assistant | Season 9 Episode 35: "The Mother Bit" | |
Jack | Season 9 Episode 45: "Rudy" | ||
Kraft Suspense Theatre | Radar Operator / Izzy | Season 10 Episode 26: "Collision" | |
1957–59 | Camera Three | Stendhal / Don Chucho | 8 episodes |
1958 | Naked City | Extortionist | Season 1 Episode 11: "Lady Bug, Lady Bug" |
Kraft Suspense Theatre | Izzy | Season 11 Episode 44: "Night Cry" | |
Decoy | Fred Dana | Season 1 Episode 37: "The Come Back" | |
1959 | Omnibus | Charlie | Season 7 Episode 13: "The Strange Ordeal of the Normandier" |
Brenner | Fred Gaines | Season 1 Episode 4: "Blind Spot" | |
Deadline | Al Bax | Season 1 Episode 11: "The Human Storm" | |
New York Confidential | Pete | Season 1 Episode 11: "The Girl from Nowhere" | |
Play of the Week | Mestizo | Season 1 Episode 2: "The Power and the Glory" | |
1960 | Season 1 Episode 14: "The Emperor's Clothes" | ||
Naked City | Gimpy (uncredited) | Season 2 Episode 1: "A Death of Princes" | |
The Islanders | Hooker | Season 1 Episode 6: "Hostage Island" | |
Have Gun – Will Travel | Waller, Gambler | Season 4 Episode 9: "The Poker Fiend" | |
The Witness | Abe Reles | Season 1 Episode 11: "Kid Twist" | |
The Untouchables | Duke Mullen | Season 1 Episode 26: "The Underworld Bank" | |
1961 | Nate Selko | Season 3 Episode 1: "Troubleshooter" | |
Naked City | Lee Staunton | Season 2 Episode 24: "A Very Cautious Boy" | |
The Law and Mr. Jones | Sydney Jarmon | Season 1 Episode 20: "Cold Turkey" | |
The Aquanauts | Jeremiah Wilson | Season 1 Episode 20: "The Jeremiah Adventure" | |
Angel | Season 1 Episode 23: "The Double Adventure" | ||
Cry Vengeance! | Priest | Television movie | |
The Million Dollar Incident | Sammy | ||
Alfred Hitchcock Presents | Meyer Fine | Season 6 Episode 28: "Gratitude" | |
The Barbara Stanwyck Show | Joe | Season 1 Episode 32: "The Assassin" | |
Target: The Corruptors! | Nick Longo | Season 1 Episode 1: "The Million Dollar Dump" | |
The Twilight Zone | Ramos Clemente | Season 3 Episode 6: "The Mirror" | |
1962 | Naked City | Frankie O'Hearn | Season 3 Episode 25: "Lament for a Dead Indian" |
The New Breed | Lopez | Season 1 Episode 15: "Cross the Little Line" | |
87th Precinct | Greg Brovane | Season 1 Episode 19: "The Pigeon" | |
Here's Edie | Cabbie | Episode #1.1 | |
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour | Robert Evans | Season 1 Episode 13: "Bonfire" | |
The Dick Powell Show | Aristede Fresco | Season 1 Episode 17: "Price of Tomatoes" | |
Dr. Alan Keegan | Season 2 Episode 4: "The Doomsday Boys" | ||
The DuPont Show of the Week | Collucci | Season 1 Episode 24: "A Sound of Hunting" | |
1963 | The Dick Powell Show | Martin | Season 2 Episode 18: "The Rage of Silence" |
Dr. Kildare | Matt Gunderson | Season 2 Episode 29: "The Balance and the Crucible" | |
Wagon Train | Gus Morgan | Season 7 Episode 3: "The Gus Morgan Story" | |
Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre | Bert Graumann | Season 1 Episode 4: "Four Kings" | |
1964 | The DuPont Show of the Week | Danilo Diaz | Season 3 Episode 21: "Ambassador at Large" |
Ben Casey | Dr. Jimmy Reynolds | Season 4 Episode 6: "For Jimmy, the Best of Everything" | |
Season 4 Episode 12: "Courage at 3:00 A.M." | |||
1965 | Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre | Bara | Season 2 Episode 19: "Perilous Times" |
1965–66 | The Trials of O'Brien | Daniel O'Brien | 22 episodes |
1966 | Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre | Mike Galway | Season 4 Episode 7: "Dear Deductible" |
Brigadoon | Jeff Douglas | Television movie | |
1967 | The Red Skelton Hour | Colonel Hush-Hush | Season 16 Episode 16: "In One Head and Out the Other" |
1968 | A Hatful of Rain | Polo Pope | Television movie |
1968–2003 | Columbo | Lieutenant Columbo | 69 episodes |
1971 | The Name of the Game | Lewis Corbett | Season 3 Episode 15: "A Sister from Napoli" |
A Step Out of Line | Harry Connors | Television movie | |
1978 | The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast | Columbo | Television special |
1992 | The Larry Sanders Show | Himself | Season 1 Episode 8: "Out of the Loop" |
1996 | The Sunshine Boys | Willie Clark | Television movie |
1997 | Pronto | Harry Arno | |
2000 | A Storm in Summer | Abel Shaddick | |
2001 | The Lost World | Reverend Theo Kerr | |
A Town Without Christmas | Max | ||
2003 | Finding John Christmas | ||
Wilder Days | James 'Pop Up' Morse | ||
2004 | When Angels Come to Town | Max | Television movie (final TV role) |
Theatre
editYear | Title | Role | Venue |
---|---|---|---|
1956 | Saint Joan | English Soldier | Walter Kerr Theatre,Broadway |
Diary of a Scoundrel | Mamaev's Servant | Phoenix Theatre,off-Broadway | |
1956–57 | The Iceman Cometh | Rocky Pioggi | Circle in the Square Theatre,Broadway |
1964 | The Passion of Josef D. | Stalin | Ethel Barrymore Theatre,Broadway |
1971–73 | The Prisoner of Second Avenue | Mel Edison | Eugene O'Neill Theatre,Broadway |
2000 | Defiled | Brian Dickey | Geffen Playhouse,Los Angeles |
Awards and nominations
editYear | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
1961 | Best Supporting Actor | Murder, Inc. | Nominated | [84] |
1962 | Pocketful of Miracles | Nominated |
Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
1961 | Outstanding Supporting Role in a Single Program | The Law and Mr. Jones | Nominated | [85] |
1962 | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Single Role | The Dick Powell Theatre | Won | |
1972 | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series | Columbo | Won | |
1973 | Nominated | |||
1974 | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series | Nominated | ||
1975 | Won | |||
1976 | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series | Won | ||
1977 | Nominated | |||
1978 | Nominated | |||
1990 | Won | |||
1991 | Nominated | |||
1994 | Nominated |
Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
1961 | Most Promising Newcomer – Male | Murder, Inc. | Nominated | [86] |
1972 | Best Actor in a Television Series Drama | Columbo | Nominated | |
1973 | Won | |||
1974 | Nominated | |||
1975 | Nominated | |||
1976 | Nominated | |||
1978 | Nominated | |||
1991 | Nominated | |||
1992 | Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film | Columbo and the Murder of a Rock Star | Nominated | |
1994 | Columbo: It's All in the Game | Nominated |
Bibliography
edit- Falk, Peter (2006),Just One More Thing: Stories from My Life,New York:Carroll & Graf Publishers,ISBN0-7867-1795-5.
Further reading
edit- Richard A. Lertzman & William J Birnes (2017).Beyond Columbo: The life and times of Peter Falk.Shadow Lawn Press.ISBN978-1-521-88149-1
Notes
edit- ^This fact is alluded to in the 1997Columboepisode "A Trace of Murder" (Series 13, episode 2), where Detective Columbo invites a colleague to help interview a suspect, stating, "three eyes are better than one".
- ^They later acted together inThe Great Raceand theColumboepisode "Suitable For Framing".
References
edit- ^TV Guide: Guide to TV.Barnes & Noble.2004. p.596.ISBN978-0-7607-5634-8.
- ^"Peter Falk posthumously honored with star on Hollywood Walk of Fame".ABC7.July 26, 2013.RetrievedSeptember 21,2024.
- ^"Peter Falk".Hollywood Star Walk.Los Angeles Times.July 25, 2013.RetrievedSeptember 21,2024.
- ^abcdefgFantle, David; Johnson, Tom (2004).Twenty-Five Years of Celebrity Interviews.Badger Books. pp. 216–17.
- ^"Jerry Tallmer: Just 79 more things".NYC plus. September 16, 1927.RetrievedJune 26,2011.
- ^"Peter Falk, TV's Rumpled 'Columbo' for More Than Three Decades, Dies at 83".Bloomberg. June 24, 2011.
- ^"Peter Falk".thebiographychannel.co.uk.Bio. (UK).Archived fromthe originalon June 10, 2009.RetrievedJanuary 30,2009.
- ^"Peter Falk Biography".Biography. Archived fromthe originalon January 19, 2019.RetrievedJanuary 9,2014.
- ^abcdefgMarx, Arthur(November–December 1997)."Talk with Falk".Cigar Aficionado.Archived fromthe originalon January 27, 2010.RetrievedFebruary 2,2009.
- ^"Famous Alumni".Camp High Point.RetrievedOctober 18,2010.
- ^"Peter Falk – aka, Lieutenant Columbo".Ossining History on the Run.July 24, 2023.RetrievedMarch 4,2024.
- ^"Ossining High School Hall of Fame and Museum seeks oldest living OHS graduate".Ossining-Croton-On-Hudson, NY Patch.October 18, 2012.RetrievedMarch 4,2024.
- ^Falk 2006,p. 20.
- ^Falk 2006,p. 26.
- ^Falk 2006,p. 17.
- ^Falk 2006,p. 29.
- ^Falk 2006,p. 32.
- ^abc"Peter Falk Biography".peterfalk.com.Peter Falk. Archived fromthe originalon January 30, 2009.RetrievedJanuary 30,2009.
- ^"Peter Falk Biography".Official website of Peter Falk.Archived fromthe originalon December 5, 2013.RetrievedJanuary 7,2014.
- ^Falk 2006,p. 42.
- ^"Peter Falk".Internet Off Broadway Database.Lortel Archives,Lucille LortelFoundation. Archived fromthe originalon July 20, 2009.RetrievedJanuary 31,2009.
- ^Peter Falkat theInternet Broadway Database
- ^Katz, Ephraim.The Film Encyclopedia,HarperCollins (1998) p. 436
- ^Kramer, Carol (February 6, 1972)."The 'Conceit' of Playing Lt. Columbo".Chicago Tribune.RetrievedJanuary 13,2024.
- ^"Peter Falk admitted that one form of acting gave him ananxiety attack".Me-TV Network.RetrievedJanuary 13,2024.
- ^Falk 2006,pp. 51–55.
- ^abCrowther, Bosley(June 29, 1960)."Screen: 'Murder, Inc.': Story of Brooklyn Mob Retold at the Victoria".The New York Times.RetrievedJanuary 31,2009.
- ^Falk 2006,p. 76.
- ^Capra, Frank.The Name Above the Title: an Autobiography,Macmillan (1971)
- ^abcde"16 fascinating facts about Peter Falk and 'Columbo'".Decades.com. June 23, 2011.RetrievedFebruary 27,2022.
- ^"Peter Falk".Television Academy.
- ^"The Gus Morgan Story".avclub.com. August 12, 2010.RetrievedMay 23,2012.
- ^Cossette, Pierre.Another Day in Showbiz,ECW Press (2002) p. 182
- ^"Actor Peter Falk, TV's Columbo, Dies".Jewish Telegraphic Agency.June 26, 2011.
- ^Falk, Ben.Television's Strangest Moments,Chrysalis Books (2005) p. 103
- ^Cash, Johnny (1997).Cash: the Autobiography.Harper Collins. p. 197.ISBN9780062515001.
- ^McBride, Joseph.Steven Spielberg: A Biography,Simon and Schuster (1997) p. 191
- ^"Actor Peter Falk dies at 83".Xinhua. June 25, 2011. Archived fromthe originalon August 7, 2011.RetrievedJune 25,2011.
- ^Link, William (May 2010).The Columbo Collection by William Link.Crippen & Landru Publishers.ISBN978-1-932009-94-1.Archived fromthe originalon March 19, 2017.
- ^"A Lieutenant's best friend: Columbo and Dog".The Columbophile.July 24, 2016.RetrievedAugust 16,2019.
- ^Falk, Peter (August 24, 2007).Just One More Thing.Da Capo Press.ISBN978-0-7867-1939-6.
- ^Dawidziak, Mark(November 1, 2019).The Columbo Phile: A Casebook(30th Anniversary ed.). Ohio: Commonwealth Book Company. p. 29.ISBN978-1948986120.
- ^"Columbo Sounds & Themes".RetrievedFebruary 13,2012.
- ^"Columbo".ClassicThemes.com.RetrievedJune 27,2011.
- ^"With aging Falk, 'Columbo' looks like a closed case".Daily News.New York. March 27, 2007.RetrievedJune 27,2011.
- ^"A mystery Columbo can't seem to crack".Cleveland.com.Archived fromthe originalon June 7, 2011.RetrievedJune 27,2011.
- ^Krystal, Becky (June 24, 2011)."Peter Falk of 'Columbo' dies at 83".Washington Post.RetrievedMarch 6,2016.
- ^Marikar, Sheila (June 24, 2011)."Peter Falk, 'Columbo' Actor, Dies at 83".ABC News.RetrievedApril 26,2022.
- ^"Peter Falk".TCM.com.Turner Classic Movies.RetrievedMarch 6,2016.
- ^McWhiter, Norris(1981).Guinness Book of Records 1982.Guinness Superlatives Ltd. p. 113.ISBN0-85112-232-9.
- ^"Columbo facts".Columbophile.com.April 11, 2017.RetrievedFebruary 27,2022.
- ^Carney, Raymond.The Films of John Cassavetes,Cambridge Univ. Press (1994) p. 296
- ^"Lt. Columbo Roasts Frank Sinatra (1978)",video clip
- ^abEmery, Robert J (2002).The Directors: Take Two.Allworth Press. p.263.ISBN9781581152197.
- ^Ebert, Roger.Roger Ebert's Movie Yearbook 2006,Andrews McMeel Publ. (2006) p. 325
- ^Kenny, J.M.; Wenders, Wim (2009).The Angels Among Us(Blu-ray).The Criterion Collection.
- ^Coakley, Michael (March 2, 1986)."Peter Falk: TV's Rumpled Columbo Goes Legit In Mamet's" Glengarry "".Chicago Tribune.RetrievedJanuary 7,2014.
- ^Ebert, Roger.Roger Ebert's Movie Yearbook 2009,Andrews McMeel Publ. (2009) p. 676
- ^Falk 2006,p. 30.
- ^abKim, Victoria (May 28, 2009)."Relatives Fight For Control of 'Columbo' Star Peter Falk".Los Angeles Times.RetrievedMay 28,2009.
- ^Pinchot, Joe (October 2006)."It's all about the pose: actor Peter Falk keeps his drawings simple".The Sharon Herald.RetrievedJune 26,2011.
- ^Litt, Steven (June 24, 2011) [October 10, 2006]."My Interview with Peter Falk".The Plain Dealer.Cleveland.RetrievedJune 26,2011.
- ^"Former Prominent Students, The Art Students League of New York".Theartstudentsleague.org.RetrievedJune 26,2011.
- ^"Peter Falk, American Open, Santa Monica, November 1972, and United States Open, Pasadena, California, August 1983".Chess history.
- ^Singh, Anita (December 16, 2008)."Columbo star Peter Falk has Alzheimer's".Telegraph.co.uk.Archivedfrom the original on January 11, 2022.
- ^Anthony McCartney (June 1, 2009).""Columbo" Actor Peter Falk Placed In Conservatorship ".The Huffington Post.Associated Press. Archived fromthe originalon March 12, 2016.RetrievedOctober 18,2010.
- ^"'Columbo' Star Peter Falk Dead at 83 ".The Baltimore Sun.Archived fromthe originalon January 2, 2014.
- ^Bruce Weber (June 24, 2011)."Peter Falk, Rumpled and Crafty Actor In Television's" Columbo ", Dies at 83".The New York Times.
- ^Nick Allen."Peter Falk"The Daily Telegraph.
- ^"Peter Falk's Official Cause Of Death Revealed".PerezHilton.com. November 7, 2011. Archived fromthe originalon August 29, 2013.RetrievedOctober 11,2012.
- ^""Columbo" actor Peter Falk dead at 83 ".Reuters.June 24, 2011.RetrievedJune 26,2011.
- ^Taylor-Rosner, Noémie (February 15, 2017).Portraits de Los Angeles.Hikari Editions.ISBN9782367740386.
- ^"Tweets of the Week: Peter Falk Edition".The Wall Street Journal.June 24, 2011.RetrievedJune 27,2011.
- ^"Celebrities mourn Peter Falk on Twitter".Entertainment Weekly.RetrievedJune 27,2011.
- ^"Peter Falk's friends and co-stars pay tribute to the late actor".Entertainment Weekly.RetrievedJune 27,2011.
- ^"Remembering TV's rumpled Columbo".The Daily News Egypt.Archived fromthe originalon July 16, 2011.RetrievedJune 27,2011.
- ^"Peter Falk (1927–2011) – Find a Grave Memorial".findagrave.com.RetrievedFebruary 4,2022.
- ^ab"Catherine Falk Organization – Peter Falk's Law: Right of Association Legislation".RetrievedSeptember 17,2020.
- ^"Peter Falk's Law Becomes a Reality in New York".esslawfirm.com.
- ^"The Catherine Falk Story".Catherine Falk Organization.RetrievedMay 23,2019.
- ^Falk, Christine (February 23, 2016)."Letter of Catherine Falk (undated) annexed to Testimony to the House Committee on Judiciary (25 Feb. 2016) by Moira T. Chin, Office of the Public Guardian"(PDF).capitol.hawaii.gov.Hawai'i State Legislature.RetrievedJanuary 21,2020.
- ^"Peter Falk Columbo's Estate Dispute".hackardlaw.com.August 13, 2018.
- ^"Senate Passes Legislation to Protect Senior Citizens from Abuse and Exploitation".The New York State Senate. June 15, 2015. Archived fromthe originalon May 16, 2020.RetrievedMay 16,2020.
- ^"Peter Falk – Awards".IMDb.RetrievedMarch 20,2020.
- ^"Peter Falk".Emmys.com.RetrievedAugust 14,2020.
- ^"Golden Globe winners and nominees".goldenglobes.com.RetrievedMarch 20,2020.
External links
edit- Peter FalkatIMDb
- Peter Falkat theInternet Broadway Database
- Peter Falkat theInternet Off-Broadway Database
- Peter Falkat theTCM Movie Database
- Peter FalkatAllMovie
- Peter FalkonCharlie Rose
- Peter Falkdiscography atDiscogs
- Peter Falkcollected news and commentary atThe New York Times
- "'Just One More Thing' About Falk, TV's 'Columbo'".Fresh Air.June 27, 2011. NPR.Transcript.
- Peter FalkatEmmys.com
- Peter FalkatFind a Grave