Peter Falk.

Peter Michael Falk

Born 16 Sep 1927 New York City, United States

Died 23 Jun 2011 Beverly Hills, United States

Citizenship United States

Would Be 99 yr If Living

15 min read

Reading time

2,905

Words

Sep 21, 2026

Published

Awards

TL;DR

Peter Falk, born September 16, 1927 in New York City, lost his right eye to cancer at age three. He worked as a certified public accountant before studying acting with Eva Le Gallienne and Sanford Meisner. Falk portrayed Lt. Columbo in 69 TV movie episodes from 1968 to 2003, winning four Emmy Awards. He died June 23, 2011 from cardiorespiratory arrest and Alzheimer’s disease.

Identity & family.

KIN · 2

Names, aliases, and relatives of Peter Falk — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Birth Name Peter Michael Falk

Aliases Peter M. Falk, Peter Faulk

Spouses: Shera Danese Alyce Caroline Mayo

At a glance.

STATS

Peter Falk by the numbers — life, work, and family.

83 Years lived

6 Awards

2 Marriages

Who was Peter Falk?

BIOGRAPHY

Peter Falk — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

During a high school play at Ossining High School, where he was class president, Peter Falk stood in for a sick student and played a detective — his first foray into the role that would define his career. Falk was born on September 16, 1927 in New York City to Michael Peter Falk and Madeline Hochhauser. At age three, his right eye was surgically removed due to cancer.

He briefly attended Hamilton College before dropping out to serve as a cook in the Merchant Marines. Falk later earned a political science degree from The New School and a master’s in public administration from Syracuse University. He applied to the CIA but was rejected due to his membership in the Marine Cooks and Stewards Union. Before committing to acting, he worked as an efficiency expert for the Budget Bureau of Connecticut.

Career

Peter Falk’s first Oscar nomination came in 1961 for his supporting role in Murder, Inc. 1960, making him the first actor to be nominated for an Oscar and an Emmy in the same year. He earned another Oscar nomination in 1962 for Pocketful of Miracles 1961. His most famous role, Lt. Columbo, debuted in a 1968 TV movie and continued in 69 episodes through 2003. Falk won four Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for Columbo and one for a Miniseries or Movie.

He also appeared in films like A Woman Under the Influence 1974 and The Princess Bride 1987, both selected for the National Film Registry. Falk worked frequently with friend John Cassavetes, making six movies together. He was considered for the role of Tom Hagen in The Godfather 1972 before Robert Duvall was cast.

Personal life

Falk married twice: first to Alyce Caroline Mayo from April 17, 1960 to May 28, 1976, and then to Shera Danese from December 7, 1977 until his death. He had two daughters: Catherine, who became a private detective, and Jackie. Falk was diagnosed with dementia in 2007, likely Alzheimer’s disease. His wife Shera was awarded conservatorship of his affairs after his adopted daughter Catherine filed a conservatorship petition.

Falk died on June 23, 2011 in Beverly Hills, California from cardiorespiratory arrest and pneumonia due to Alzheimer’s disease. He was interred at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery.

Legacy

Falk’s portrayal of Lt. Columbo inspired Hanna-Barbera characters Dick Dastardly and Mumbly. A statue of him as Columbo was erected in Budapest, Hungary, honoring his Hungarian-Jewish roots. He was posthumously awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on July 25, 2013, with Joe Mantegna, Ed Begley Jr., and Paul Reiser as speakers. In 2005, a street in his hometown of Ossining, New York was renamed Peter Falk Place. Falk’s signature role as the disheveled detective Columbo and his catchphrase Just one more thing became legendary.

Awards & honors.

AWARDS · 4

Every award, honor, and recognition received by Peter Falk — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.

Golden Globe Awards
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie
Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Notable quotes.

QUOTES · 7

A wall of memorable lines from Peter Falk — lyrics, interviews, and off-the-cuff remarks captured over a lifetime.

Being Chased by Columbo Is Like Being Nibbled to Death by a Duck.
I Signed up to Go to Israel to Fight in the War with Egypt. I Wasn’t Passionate About Israel. I Wasn’t Passionate About Egypt. I Just Wanted More Excitement. Joining the Israeli Army Was Illegal for American Citizens, but I Found Out You Could Sign up at the Hotel Roosevelt in Manhattan. I Did Get Assigned a Ship and a Departure Date. However, the War Was Over in the Blink of an Eye – Eight Days to Be Exact. the Ship Never Sailed.
You Can’t Use an Umbrella as a Prop When the Sun Is Out, but You Can Use a Cigar Under Almost Any Circumstances.
I Never Considered My Voice Part of My Acting Arsenal.
I’m a Virgo Jew, 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. When Lew Wasserman Said That I Am a Perfectionist, I Don’t Know Whether It Was Out of Affection or Because He Felt I Was a Monumental Pain in the Ass.
I’ve Been Chain-smoking Cigarettes for 55 Years. My Mother Is 91 Years Old and Still Lights Up. I’m Trusting to Luck That I’m Blessed with Her Constitution.
Colombo Has a Genuine Mistiness About Him. It Seems to Hang in the Air. He’s Capable of Being Distracted. I Remember One Case Where It Was 20 Minutes into the Teleplay Before He Realized He Hadn’t Taken off His Pajamas. Colombo Is an Ass-backward Sherlock Holmes. Holmes Had a Long Neck, Colombo Has No Neck; Holmes Smoked a Meerschaum Pipe, Colombo Chews up Six Cigars a Day at a Quarter Apiece.

Did you know?

FACTS · 36

Little-known facts about Peter Falk — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

His right eye was surgically removed at age three due to cancer.
Once during a Little League game, he pulled out his glass eye and handed it to the umpire, saying Here, I think you might need this.
He was a certified public accountant before becoming an actor.
His daughter Catherine Falk is a private detective in real life.
Lt. Columbo’s first name is never revealed, though a freeze-frame in Dead Weight 1971 shows Frank on his ID.
His first acting role was playing a detective in a high school play when the original student fell ill.
When walking to a mark on set, Falk would pretend to scratch his forehead over his left eye to locate the tape on the floor, creating Columbo’s pensive look.
Falk denied rumors that his Columbo raincoat was in the Smithsonian; it was in his upstairs closet.
A statue of him as Columbo was erected in Budapest, Hungary, due to his Hungarian-Jewish roots.
His paternal grandparents were Russian Jewish immigrants; his maternal grandfather was a Hungarian Jew.
A street in Ossining, New York was renamed Peter Falk Place in 2005.
He was posthumously awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on July 25, 2013.
His adopted daughter Catherine filed for conservatorship, but she was estranged and the court awarded it to his wife Shera.
He smoked heavily from age 15, adding cigars after starting Columbo.
In 1961, he became the first actor nominated for an Oscar and an Emmy in the same year.
He loved drawing and had a studio on his Beverly Hills estate.
His puppet appeared in the French show ‘Les Guignols de l’info’.
He was rejected by the Marine Corps at age 17 due to his blind eye.
He was appointed Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters by France in 1996, given by Gérard Depardieu.
He began acting at age 26 but moved to New York to pursue it at age 28.
Diagnosed with dementia, likely Alzheimer’s, in 2007.
His mother Madeline died in 2003, four years before his diagnosis.
His wife Shera was awarded conservatorship after his diagnosis.
Before Robert Duvall was cast, Falk was considered for the role of Tom Hagen in The Godfather.
He believed his performances were better when dubbed into French.
He was close friends with Patrick McGoohan, making four TV movies together.
His character inspired Hanna-Barbera’s Dick Dastardly and Mumbly.
He and John Cassavetes made six movies together.
His CIA application was rejected due to his union membership in the Merchant Marine.
He married Shera Danese in 1977 when she was 28 and he was 50.
His remains are interred at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery.
His first wife Alyce died in March 2016 at age 85.
In 2007, he selected a Columbo script Hear no Evil for his 70th adventure, but ABC declined.
He auditioned for Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice but lost to Elliott Gould.
He studied acting with Eva Le Gallienne at the White Barn Theater.
His ancestry includes Polish, Russian, and Czech Jewish roots.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 56

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Peter Falk.

When was Peter Falk born?

Peter Falk was born on September 16, 1927. His birthplace is New York City, New York, USA.
Where was Peter Falk born?

Peter Falk was born in New York City, New York, USA. He was born on September 16, 1927.
When did Peter Falk die?

Peter Falk died on June 23, 2011. He was 83 years old at the time of his death.
How old was Peter Falk when he died?

Peter Falk was 83 years old when he died on June 23, 2011. He was born on September 16, 1927.
Where did Peter Falk die?

Peter Falk died in Beverly Hills, California, USA. The date was June 23, 2011.
How did Peter Falk die?

Peter Falk died from cardiorespiratory arrest, pneumonia, and Alzheimer’s disease. He passed away on June 23, 2011 in Beverly Hills.
What is Peter Falk's real name?

Peter Falk’s real name is Peter Michael Falk. He was born on September 16, 1927 in New York City.
What does Peter Falk do for a living?

Peter Falk was an actor, producer, and director. He is best known for playing Lt. Columbo.
What nationality is Peter Falk?

Peter Falk was American. He was born in New York City and was a United States citizen.
What language did Peter Falk speak?

Peter Falk’s native language was English. He was born and raised in the United States.
Who was Peter Falk married to?

Peter Falk was married to Shera Danese from December 7, 1977 until his death, and to Alyce Caroline Mayo from April 17, 1960 to May 28, 1976.
Where did Peter Falk go to school?

Peter Falk attended Ossining High School, Hamilton College, The New School, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, and Syracuse University.
What awards did Peter Falk win?

Peter Falk won several Golden Globe Awards, multiple Primetime Emmy Awards, and a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He is a four-time Emmy winner for playing Columbo.
How many awards did Peter Falk win?

Peter Falk won at least six major awards, including multiple Emmys and a Golden Globe. He also has a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
What is Peter Falk best known for?

Peter Falk gained fame for playing Lt. Columbo in the television series Columbo from 1968 to 2003. He also appeared in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and The Mike Douglas Show.
How tall was Peter Falk?

Peter Falk was 5 feet 6 inches tall, or 1.68 meters. This was his recorded height.
What was Peter Falk's nickname or alias?

Peter Falk was sometimes credited as Peter M. Falk or Peter Faulk. His full name was Peter Michael Falk.
Did Peter Falk have children?

Peter Falk had two daughters: Catherine Falk, who became a private detective, and Jackie Falk. He adopted Catherine.
What was Peter Falk's cause of death?

Peter Falk died from cardiorespiratory arrest, pneumonia, and Alzheimer’s disease. He had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2007.
How many Emmy Awards did Peter Falk win?

Peter Falk won four Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for Columbo and one for a Miniseries or Movie, totaling five Emmys.
Did Peter Falk serve in the military?

Peter Falk served as a cook in the Merchant Marines after dropping out of college. He tried to join the Marine Corps at age 17 but was rejected due to his blind eye.
What was Peter Falk's education?

Peter Falk earned a political science degree from The New School and a master’s in public administration from Syracuse University. He also attended Hamilton College and Ossining High School.
Who were Peter Falk's parents?

Peter Falk’s parents were Michael Peter Falk and Madeline Hochhauser. His mother died in 2003.
Did Peter Falk have a glass eye?

Yes, Peter Falk had a glass eye. His right eye was surgically removed at age three due to cancer.
Was Peter Falk in the CIA?

Peter Falk applied to the CIA but was rejected because of his membership in the Marine Cooks and Stewards Union, which was under investigation for Communist leanings.
What was Peter Falk's first acting role?

Peter Falk’s first acting role was playing a detective in a high school play when the original student actor fell sick. He later studied acting with Eva Le Gallienne and Sanford Meisner.
How many episodes of Columbo did Peter Falk star in?

Peter Falk starred in 69 episodes adventures of Columbo that aired from 1968 to 2003. He played Lt. Columbo in all of them.
Did Peter Falk win an Oscar?

Peter Falk was nominated for two Oscars but did not win. He was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for Murder, Inc. 1960 and Pocketful of Miracles 1961.
What movies did Peter Falk make with John Cassavetes?

Peter Falk and John Cassavetes made six movies together: Husbands 1970, Machine Gun McCain 1969, Mikey and Nicky 1976, Opening Night 1977, Big Trouble 1986, and A Woman Under the Influence 1974.
What was Peter Falk's role in 'The Princess Bride'?

In The Princess Bride 1987, Peter Falk played the grandfather who reads the story to his grandson. The film is on the National Film Registry.
Did Peter Falk have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame?

Yes, Peter Falk was posthumously awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on July 25, 2013. It is located at 6654 Hollywood Boulevard.
What was Peter Falk's relationship with Patrick McGoohan?

Peter Falk was close friends with Patrick McGoohan. They made four TV movies together: ‘By Dawn’s Early Light’, Identity Crisis, Columbo: Agenda for Murder, and Ashes to Ashes.
Was Peter Falk considered for 'The Godfather'?

Yes, before Robert Duvall was cast, Peter Falk was considered for the role of Tom Hagen in The Godfather 1972.
What was the cause of Peter Falk's eye loss?

Peter Falk’s right eye was surgically removed at age three due to cancer. He wore a glass eye afterward.
How old was Peter Falk when he started acting?

Peter Falk began acting at age 26, but he did not officially move to New York to pursue acting until he was 28.
What did Peter Falk do before becoming an actor?

Before becoming an actor, Peter Falk worked as a certified public accountant and as an efficiency expert for the Budget Bureau of the state of Connecticut.
Did Peter Falk have any cartoon character inspired by him?

Yes, Hanna-Barbera characters Dick Dastardly from Wacky Races and Mumbly from The New Tom & Jerry Show were inspired by Peter Falk’s roles.
Where is Peter Falk buried?

Peter Falk’s remains were interred at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles, California.
What was Peter Falk's favorite thing about acting in French?

Peter Falk believed his performances played much better when they were dubbed into French. He enjoyed watching the French versions.
Did Peter Falk have a street named after him?

Yes, in 2005 a street in Ossining, New York was renamed Peter Falk Place. He unveiled the sign by pulling off a trademark raincoat covering it.
What was Peter Falk's educational background?

Peter Falk studied at Hamilton College, later earning a BA in political science from The New School and an MA in public administration from Syracuse University.
How did Peter Falk create Columbo's pensive look?

Peter Falk would pretend to scratch his forehead over his left eye to locate the tape on the floor for camera marks. This became Columbo’s trademark pensive look.
What was Peter Falk's role in 'Murder, Inc.?

In Murder, Inc. 1960, Peter Falk played a supporting role that earned him his first Oscar nomination. He played a gangster in the film.
Did Peter Falk direct or produce?

Yes, Peter Falk worked as a producer and director in addition to acting. He is credited as a producer on some projects.
What was Peter Falk's height?

Peter Falk was 5 feet 6 inches tall, which is approximately 1.68 meters.
Was Peter Falk a smoker?

Yes, Peter Falk was a heavy cigarette smoker from age 15. After starting Columbo, he also smoked cigars.
Did Peter Falk have any hobbies?

Peter Falk had a passion for drawing and sketching. He had a studio on the grounds of his Beverly Hills estate.
What was Peter Falk's first Emmy win for?

Peter Falk won his first Emmy for the episode Price of Tomatoes of The Dick Powell Theatre in 1962. He won for Best Actor.
Did Peter Falk win a Tony Award?

No, Peter Falk never won a Tony Award, contrary to some obituaries. He was never nominated for a Tony.
What was the name of Peter Falk's second wife?

Peter Falk’s second wife was Shera Danese. They married on December 7, 1977 and remained together until his death in 2011.
How many children did Peter Falk have?

Peter Falk had two daughters: Catherine Falk adopted and Jackie Falk. Catherine became a private detective.
Was Peter Falk a veteran?

Peter Falk served as a cook in the Merchant Marines after dropping out of college. He also volunteered to fight for Israel in 1948 but the war ended before he could go.
What was the name of the Columbo script that was not produced?

In 2007, Peter Falk chose a Columbo script called Hear no Evil for his 70th adventure, but ABC declined the project.
Did Peter Falk have any connection to the CIA?

Peter Falk applied for a job with the CIA but was rejected. The rejection was due to his membership in the Marine Cooks and Stewards Union.
What was Peter Falk's heritage?

Peter Falk had Polish, Russian, and Czech Jewish ancestry. His paternal grandparents were Russian Jewish immigrants, and his maternal grandfather was a Hungarian Jew.
What was Peter Falk's most famous catchphrase?

Peter Falk’s character Lt. Columbo famously used the catchphrase Just one more thing… to ask a final question.

View all 56 questions View fewer questions

Audited & updated by

Emma has 8 years of editorial experience and a very clear idea of what a good biography looks like. At Famousy, she runs the editorial operation and decides what meets the bar and what doesn't. She's the kind of editor who remembers the profiles she pushed back on more clearly than the ones she approved. That's not a complaint. That's exactly why the site reads the way it does.

Published on September 21, 2026

Report an issue

If something on this page looks off, we genuinely want to know about it. Send us a quick email with the celebrity's name, the detail that seems incorrect, and any sources you're referencing. We review every report and update the page as soon as we can.

Report an issue