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Piter FalkActor
Date of Birth: 16.09.1927
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Peter Falk: A Biographic Journey
- College and Military Service
- Acting Beginnings
- Theatrical Success
- Breakthrough as Detective Columbo
- Personal Life
- Health Challenges and Legacy
- Filmography
Peter Falk: A Biographic Journey
Early Life and EducationBorn on September 16, 1927, in New York City, Peter Michael Falk spent his formative years in Ossining, a town notorious for housing the maximum-security Sing Sing Correctional Facility. His parents, Madeline Hochhauser and Michael Falk, raised him with Russian, Hungarian, Czech, and Polish ancestry. The family's immigration to the United States began in the early 1890s, when Michael's parents, Ida and Louis, emigrated from the Russian Empire. Despite the challenges of the Great Depression, Peter's parents managed to maintain a stable life, working in a haberdashery store.
At the age of three, Peter was diagnosed with a malignant retinoblastoma in his right eye, leading to its surgical removal. A glass prosthetic took its place, becoming a point of contention throughout his life. He admitted in an interview with Cigar Aficionado, "It's a hell of a thing to wake up at three years of age and find out you got only one eye. I remember standing in a haberdashery store with my mother, picking out an eye patch. When I got a little older, they gave me a glass eye. It used to drive me nuts when the weather was hot." The prosthetic became a peculiar defense mechanism. During high school, he famously hurled it at an umpire in a baseball game, exclaiming, "Try catching that!"
College and Military Service
Following high school, Peter faced difficulties in college. In 1945, he enrolled at Hamilton College but found it unsatisfying, notably due to the absence of female students. After a brief stint in the Navy, where he faced rejection due to his eye disability, he switched majors and universities. By 1951, he had obtained a Bachelor's degree in Literature and Political Science from The New School in New York.
Acting Beginnings
Peter's pursuit of acting began during his undergraduate years. He participated in a production of "Pirates of Penzance" at Camp High Point, a Jewish summer camp. Despite his unconventional appearance, he possessed a natural talent on stage. Upon graduation, he continued his education in Yugoslavia, working on the railways, and eventually returned to the United States to earn a Master's degree in Public Administration from Syracuse University. While working as an analyst, he concurrently took acting classes in New York City.
Theatrical Success
In 1956, Eva Le Galienne, a renowned French actress, wrote a letter of recommendation for Peter, stating that he had potential but would face challenges due to his prosthetic eye. Despite this, he secured a role in Molière's "Don Juan." His career progressed steadily, and he became a Broadway performer and appeared in various supporting roles in films and television shows.
Breakthrough as Detective Columbo
Peter Falk's most iconic role emerged in 1968 with the creation of Lieutenant Columbo in the eponymous television series. Initially hesitant to accept the role, he was eventually persuaded by the character's grounded nature and relatability. Columbo's rumpled raincoat, seemingly naive demeanor, and signature cigar made him a household name. For 24 years, Peter portrayed the character in 69 episodes, winning four Primetime Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award.
Personal Life
Peter Falk married twice. His first marriage to Alice Mayo, a college sweetheart, ended in divorce in 1976, but they remained on amicable terms. In 1977, he married actress Shera Danese, who appeared alongside him in several episodes of "Columbo." Together, they adopted two daughters, Catherine and Jackie.
Health Challenges and Legacy
In 2008, Peter's health began to deteriorate. Paparazzi captured images of him appearing disheveled and walking incoherently, raising concerns about his well-being. Alzheimer's disease was later diagnosed, and he was placed under a conservatorship. As his condition worsened, he forgot his famous role and failed to recognize his own daughters.
Peter Falk passed away at his home in Beverly Hills on June 23, 2011, at the age of 84. His death certificate cited pneumonia and progressive Alzheimer's disease. He was laid to rest at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery with the epitaph, "I'm Not Here. I'm Home with Shera."
Filmography
The Bloody Brood (1959)Murder, Inc. (1960)
Pocketful of Miracles (1961)
Pressure Point (1962)
The Balcony (1963)
The Great Race (1965)
The Battle for Anzio (1968)
Columbo (1968-2003)
Husbands (1970)
The Big Fix (1985)
New Year's Day (1986)
Cookie (1989)
Roommates (1995)
The Lost World (2000)
Three Days to Vegas (2007)
