Tweet
Peter Falk dead: Columbo star dies aged 83
by Natalie Evans, Daily Mirror 25/06/2011
Peter Falk on set of his television series Columbo (Pic: Getty Images)COLUMBO star Peter Falk, the legendary shabby-coated cigar-chomping TV detective, has died aged 83.
The craggy-faced actor passed away peacefully at his Beverly Hills home late on Thursday after a long battle against Alzheimer’s.
Falk, whose right eye was replaced with a glass one at the age of three because of cancer, was twice nominated for an Oscar – for Murder, Inc. in 1960 and a year later in Pocketful of Miracles.
Advertisement >>
The craggy-faced actor passed away peacefully at his Beverly Hills home late on Thursday after a long battle against Alzheimer’s.
Falk, whose right eye was replaced with a glass one at the age of three because of cancer, was twice nominated for an Oscar – for Murder, Inc. in 1960 and a year later in Pocketful of Miracles.
Advertisement >>
Sometime afterwards Columbia Studios chief Harry Cohn is said to have rejected him for a part declaring: “For the same money, I can get an actor with two eyes!”
But it was for his role as Columbo in the 70s that Falk will be best remembered. In the end, sadly, he did not even remember the cult show that made him a household name.
He won four Emmys and a Golden Globe as the persistent Los Angleles lieutenant whose catchphrase whenever he turned to go was, “Just one more thing...”
The popular whodunit-style drama has been shown for more than 30 years in 40 countries – with possibly a record number of repeats.
Mirror film reviewer David Edwards last night described Columbo as “the 20th Century’s most memorable TV detective”.
And British comedian Steve Furst tweeted: “I hope Peter Falk walked to death’s door and turned round to say, ‘Oh, just one more thing...’ ”
Falk leaves his actress wife Shera Danese, 61, and daughters Catherine and Jackie, who he adopted with his first wife, Alyce Mayo.
But it was for his role as Columbo in the 70s that Falk will be best remembered. In the end, sadly, he did not even remember the cult show that made him a household name.
He won four Emmys and a Golden Globe as the persistent Los Angleles lieutenant whose catchphrase whenever he turned to go was, “Just one more thing...”
The popular whodunit-style drama has been shown for more than 30 years in 40 countries – with possibly a record number of repeats.
Mirror film reviewer David Edwards last night described Columbo as “the 20th Century’s most memorable TV detective”.
And British comedian Steve Furst tweeted: “I hope Peter Falk walked to death’s door and turned round to say, ‘Oh, just one more thing...’ ”
Falk leaves his actress wife Shera Danese, 61, and daughters Catherine and Jackie, who he adopted with his first wife, Alyce Mayo.
.
Comment