Peter Falk

He earned an MPA, Master of Public Administration degree, from Syracuse University in 1953.

Columbo's wife, who he speaks of often, is never seen in the series. Interestingly, most of the facts that are supposedly known about Lt. Columbo's private life are up in the air and sometimes contradictory. This may be due to his character being somewhat forgetful or may be due to him leading a suspect with a 'likely story' hoping they will trip up and reveal a clue. His car, a 1959 Peugeot 403 Cabriolet, is in most every episode and is treated almost as a character.

In 1961, he became the first actor nominated for an Oscar and an Emmy in the same year, receiving best supporting nominations for the movie Murder, Inc. (1960) and the TV show "The Law and Mr. Jones" (1960). He followed up in 1962 by being doubly nominated again for supporting actor for the movie Pocketful of Miracles (1961) and best actor (he won) for "The Price of Tomatoes," an episode of "The Dick Powell Show" (1961).

He has inspired at least two Hanna-Barbera cartoon characters. Dick Dastardly in "Wacky Races" (1968) was based on Falk's Max Meen from The Great Race (1965), and Mumbly, the detective dog on "The New Tom & Jerry Show" (1975) was loosely based on Columbo.

He and his good friend John Cassavetes made 6 movies together: Husbands (1970), Gli intoccabili (1969), Mikey and Nicky (1976), Opening Night (1977), Big Trouble (1986), A Woman Under the Influence (1974) and one movie made for TV: "Columbo: Étude in Black (#2.1)" (1972)

Numerous press obits incorrectly stated that Falk won a 1972 Tony award for Best Actor in a play for Neil Simon's "The Prisoner of Second Avenue". As listed on a Tony Awards website search, Cliff Gorman won the 1972 Tony award for the play "Lenny". In addition, Falk was never nominated for a Tony in his career.

Avatar's voice in the animated movie Wizards (1977) (voiced by Bob Holt) was modelled after Falk.

Biography in: "Who's Who in Comedy" by Ronald L. Smith, pg. 153-154. New York: Facts on File, 1992. ISBN 0816023387

Honored as Knight of Arts and Letters by the Ministry of Culture of France; the medal was given to him by Gérard Depardieu in March 1996.

During the June 5, 2000, episode of "The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn" (1999), Craig Kilborn's third question to Falk during "Five Questions" was this: "Use the words 'Falk' and 'you' in a sentence". Falk chuckled a bit, touched his nose, and replied simply: "Falk . . . you!".

Had a street renamed after him in his hometown of Ossining, New York. To unveil the Peter Falk Place street sign, he pulled off a trademark raincoat covering the sign. [2005]

Underwent a series of major dental operations in 2007.

Diagnosed with dementia, probably brought on by Alzheimer's disease, in 2008.

He was involved in a car accident in June 2008 when he lost control while driving, sustaining a head injury.

Had a hip replacement in June 2008.