R.I.P. Peter "Colombo" Falk Sept. 16, 1927 - June 23, 2011
By Maggiepie
@Maggiepie (7816)
United States
June 24, 2011 7:21pm CST
Well, shoot. 
I'm going to miss Mr. Falk. He was 83 years old, & apparently, according to his daughter, Katherine Falk, was suffering from "dementia, & the beginning stages of Alzheimer's." We lost him just a few hours ago, today, June 23rd, 2011.
Although he was in a number of films & other people's TV shows, most people most likely knew Peter Falk from his quirky character, "Colombo," the exasperating detective from the TV series of the same name.
I say "exasperating," but he was only thus to the villain of the week. His facade of a seemingly "slow-witted, forgetful, almost boorish flatfoot" "bumbling" his way through his investigations in his rumpled raincoat, befouling the air with his ever-present stogy, was delightful to behold, as he eventually & brilliantly revealed the murderer, always to the astonishment of the killer, who suddenly realizes it was a facade. One always cheered as the bad guy or gal got his just desserts.
Mr. Falk was nominated twice for the Oscar, but didn't win (look for some posthumous lifetime achievement thing now that he'll not get to enjoy it...those Academy dolts...
), but he did walk away with 5 Emmy Awards (4 for Colombo) & 1 Golden Globe award.
"Oh...I almost forgot; just one more thing...": his glass eye. He lost his eye as a child, but he still beat all the odds, growing up very athletic, being recognized as a great talent "(he could make one laugh & cry in the same breath), & becoming forever enshrined as "Columbo," which, thank goodness, will keep Mr. Falk alive in our hearts forever.
If you'd like to talk about Peter Falk's life or his demise, please respond. As a fan, appreciative of his contribution to entertainment, & with more than a suspicion that he would've been really nice to know, I would enjoy any discussion re his career & his life.
Maggiepie
I'm going to miss Mr. Falk. He was 83 years old, & apparently, according to his daughter, Katherine Falk, was suffering from "dementia, & the beginning stages of Alzheimer's." We lost him just a few hours ago, today, June 23rd, 2011.
Although he was in a number of films & other people's TV shows, most people most likely knew Peter Falk from his quirky character, "Colombo," the exasperating detective from the TV series of the same name.
I say "exasperating," but he was only thus to the villain of the week. His facade of a seemingly "slow-witted, forgetful, almost boorish flatfoot" "bumbling" his way through his investigations in his rumpled raincoat, befouling the air with his ever-present stogy, was delightful to behold, as he eventually & brilliantly revealed the murderer, always to the astonishment of the killer, who suddenly realizes it was a facade. One always cheered as the bad guy or gal got his just desserts.
Mr. Falk was nominated twice for the Oscar, but didn't win (look for some posthumous lifetime achievement thing now that he'll not get to enjoy it...those Academy dolts...), but he did walk away with 5 Emmy Awards (4 for Colombo) & 1 Golden Globe award.
"Oh...I almost forgot; just one more thing...": his glass eye. He lost his eye as a child, but he still beat all the odds, growing up very athletic, being recognized as a great talent "(he could make one laugh & cry in the same breath), & becoming forever enshrined as "Columbo," which, thank goodness, will keep Mr. Falk alive in our hearts forever.
If you'd like to talk about Peter Falk's life or his demise, please respond. As a fan, appreciative of his contribution to entertainment, & with more than a suspicion that he would've been really nice to know, I would enjoy any discussion re his career & his life.
Maggiepie3 people like this
7 responses
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
25 Jun 11
Yes, I've enjoyed his role as Columbo. My mother used to love to watch him too. It was one of the things we could do together and not argue. lol
I've always like crime shows where you have to figure out who did it. Columbo's method of catching the bad guy was unique. And Peter Falk played it to perfection.
found this if you care to see his whole body of work, Tv & movies.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000393/
2 people like this
@Maggiepie (7816)
• United States
25 Jun 11
My mother & I also had an itchy relationship. Our crossover points tended to be movies & cooking. It's good we had those respites from arguing, I mean we--you & I, with our moms--though I suppose it's equally good that our mothers & we could find them.
Oh, never mind. I don't feel capable of dealing with tortured grammar at the moment. Just take it however you will! 
Yes, his methods were "unique," which was part of why it was such a wonderful series, & yes, Mr. Falk did the part so well, I doubt anyone else could ever do the role again, As the media hypers say, "Peter Falk IS Columbo!"
You even have a link for this? LOL! Gal, you have a link for everything, I swear! Thanks. I'll check it out later.
Maggiepie
"Know the rules first. Then learn when to break them!" ~ C. Crouch, artist/SF writer/poet
Yes, his methods were "unique," which was part of why it was such a wonderful series, & yes, Mr. Falk did the part so well, I doubt anyone else could ever do the role again, As the media hypers say, "Peter Falk IS Columbo!"
You even have a link for this? LOL! Gal, you have a link for everything, I swear! Thanks. I'll check it out later.
Maggiepie
"Know the rules first. Then learn when to break them!" ~ C. Crouch, artist/SF writer/poet1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (45437)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
25 Jun 11
Yeah, "Columbo" was a great show to watch.
He'll be missed but his raincoat lives on (if you've ever watched "Supernatural" -- the angel Castiel, in his earthly guise, wears a rumpled raincoat, and has at least once been referred to as "the Columbo-like guy").
1 person likes this
@Maggiepie (7816)
• United States
25 Jun 11
I haven't checked out that show, yet. Guess I should! I love angels, & a "Colombo-like" angel sounds very intriguing! 
Thanks for the tip!
Maggiepie
Thanks for the tip!
Maggiepie1 person likes this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
26 Jun 11
gOOD MORNING, mAGGIE. Sounds like u were quite a fan. I also liked him & thought he was a good actor. I was sorry when they showed him in such a negative light a few years back. Dementia is a horrible thing but the vultures don't care as long as they can get a story. Hope all is well w/u.
@sender621 (14894)
• United States
25 Jun 11
I was saddened to hear of Peter Falk's passing. I grew up with his columbo series and it will be what he is remembered for most. I am sure that we all have our favorite quirks of this actor's personna that we will cherish about him. His many fans will miss him and television is not the same without his brand of excellence to shine there. God bless you and keep you peter falk! @redmaryjane (891)
• United States
27 Jun 11
I saw this on my Twitter and I felt sad. I never really watched a lot of Columbo, but the little that I saw endeared me to the character immediately. At the same time, I'm amazed at how long his life was.
@naija4real (1291)
•
25 Jun 11
My thought and prayers goes to the family of this great actor who spend a greater parts of his lives on earth making us happy on the tv screen. It is hard to believe that Peter is gone. But we are comforted by his exemplary and humane life on earth. Many men and women pass through this earth without creating an impression but Peter was a shiny example of a person that is worthy of emulation and he distinguished himself professionally. May his gently soul rest on perfect peace amen.
@Misiufraggle (287)
• Poland
25 Jun 11
My father used to enjoy watching Columbo on TV, sometimes I would watch it with him. I will never forget the dirty raincoat Columbo always used to wear on the show.
Rest in peace Mr. Falk - you will be missed.
