Peter Michael Falk (September 16, 1927 – June 23, 2011) was an American actor and comedian. He is best known for his role as Lieutenant Columbo in the television series Columbo (1968–2003), which earned him four Primetime Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award.
Falk was twice nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, for Murder, Inc. (1960) and Pocketful of Miracles (1961). He is also known for his collaborations with filmmaker and actor John Cassavetes in films such as: Husbands (1970), A Woman Under the Influence (1974), Opening Night (1977), Elaine May's Mikey and Nicky (1976) and the Columbo episode: Étude in Black (1972). Falk's other film roles include It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963), The Great Race (1965), Anzio (1968), Murder by Death (1976), The Cheap Detective (1978), The In-Laws (1979), The Princess Bride (1987), Wings of Desire (1987), The Player (1992), and Next (2007).
Known For
Wings of Desire
(1987)
The Filmstar
Shark Tale
(2004)
Don Feinberg (voice)
The Princess Bride
(1987)
The Grandfather / Narrator
Undisputed
(2002)
Mendy Ripstein
The Player
(1992)
Peter Falk
It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
(1963)
Third Cab Driver
Murder by Death
(1976)
Sam Diamond
Next
(2007)
Irv
The Great Race
(1965)
Max
Pocketful of Miracles
(1961)
Joy Boy
The In-Laws
(1979)
Vincent J. Ricardo
The Cheap Detective
(1978)
Lou Peckinpaugh
Corky Romano
(2001)
Francis A. 'Pops' Romano
The Great Muppet Caper
(1981)
Tramp
A Woman Under the Influence
(1974)
Nick Longhetti
Robin and the 7 Hoods
(1964)
Guy Gisborne
Full Filmography
Acting
Wind Across the Everglades
(1958)
Writer
The Bloody Brood
(1959)
Nico
Murder, Inc.
(1960)
Abe Reles
The Secret of the Purple Reef
(1960)
Tom Weber
Pretty Boy Floyd
(1960)
Shorty Walters
Pocketful of Miracles
(1961)
Joy Boy
Pressure Point
(1962)
Young Psychiatrist
The Balcony
(1963)
Police Chief
It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
(1963)
Third Cab Driver
Robin and the 7 Hoods
(1964)
Guy Gisborne
Attack and Retreat
(1964)
lieutenant Mario
The Great Race
(1965)
Max
Penelope
(1966)
Lt. Horatio Bixbee
Too Many Thieves
(1966)
Danny
Brigadoon
(1966)
Jeff Douglas
Luv
(1967)
Milt Manville
A Hatful of Rain
(1968)
Polo Pope
Prescription: Murder
(1968)
Columbo
Anzio
(1968)
Cpl. Jack Rabinoff
Castle Keep
(1969)
Sgt. Rossi
Machine Gun McCain
(1969)
Charlie Adamo
Husbands
(1970)
Archie Black
Operation Snafu
(1970)
Peter Pawney
The Making of 'Husbands'
(1971)
Self
A Step Out of Line
(1971)
Harry Connors
Ransom for a Dead Man
(1972)
Columbo
A Woman Under the Influence
(1974)
Nick Longhetti
Griffin and Phoenix
(1976)
Geoffrey Griffin
Murder by Death
(1976)
Sam Diamond
Mikey and Nicky
(1976)
Mikey
Opening Night
(1977)
Self (uncredited)
The Cheap Detective
(1978)
Lou Peckinpaugh
The Brink's Job
(1978)
Tony Pino
Scared Straight!
(1978)
Narration (voice)
The In-Laws
(1979)
Vincent J. Ricardo
The Muppets Go Hollywood
(1979)
Self
The Great Muppet Caper
(1981)
Tramp
...All the Marbles
(1981)
Harry Sears
Night of 100 Stars
(1982)
Self
I Love Liberty
(1982)
Self
Shoot Don't Shoot
(1982)
host
Big Trouble
(1986)
Steve Rickey
Happy New Year
(1987)
Nick
Wings of Desire
(1987)
The Filmstar
The Princess Bride
(1987)
The Grandfather / Narrator
Vibes
(1988)
Harry Buscafusco
Cookie
(1989)
Dominick 'Dino' Capisco
Arena - John Cassavetes
(1989)
Self
Tune in Tomorrow...
(1990)
Pedro Carmichael
Motion and Emotion: The Films of Wim Wenders
(1990)
Self
Sanford Meisner: The American Theatre's Best Kept Secret
(1990)
Self
In the Spirit
(1990)
Roger Flan
Something a Little Less Serious: A Tribute to 'It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World'
(1991)
Self (archive footage)
The Player
(1992)
Peter Falk
Anything for John
(1993)
Self
Out of the Shadows: The Films of John Cassavetes
(1993)
Self
Faraway, So Close!
(1993)
Peter Falk
The World of Jim Henson
(1994)
Tramp (archive footage)
Cops n Roberts
(1995)
Salvatore Santini
Roommates
(1995)
Rocky Holzeck
John Cassavetes: To Risk Everything to Express It All
(1996)
Self
The Sunshine Boys
(1996)
Willie Clark
Pronto
(1997)
Harry Arno
Frank Capra's American Dream
(1997)
Self
Money Kings
(1998)
Vinnie
Ashes to Ashes
(1998)
Enemies of Laughter
(2000)
Paul's Father
Lakeboat
(2000)
Pierman
A Storm in Summer
(2000)
Abel Shaddick
From Where I Sit
(2000)
Abe
A Constant Forge
(2000)
Self
Hubert's Brain
(2001)
Bailey (voice)
Corky Romano
(2001)
Francis A. 'Pops' Romano
Made
(2001)
Max
The Lost World
(2001)
Theo Kerr
A Town Without Christmas
(2001)
Max
Three Days of Rain
(2002)
Waldo
Undisputed
(2002)
Mendy Ripstein
NBC 75th Anniversary Special
(2002)
Self
Wings of Desire: The Angels Among Us
(2003)
Self
Wilder Days
(2003)
James 'Pop Up' Morse
Finding John Christmas
(2003)
Max
Shark Tale
(2004)
Don Feinberg (voice)
When Angels Come to Town
(2004)
Max
Checking Out
(2005)
Morris Applebaum
The Thing About My Folks
(2005)
Sam Kleinman
Edge of Outside
(2006)
Self
Three Days to Vegas
(2007)
Gus 'Fitzy' Fitzgerald
Next
(2007)
Irv
American Cowslip
(2009)
Father Randolph
Char·ac·ter
(2012)
Self
Lost Case
(2014)
Columbo (archive footage)
And the Oscar Goes To...
(2014)
Self (archive footage)
Everyday Miracles
(2015)
Restaurant Customer
Arthur Miller: Writer
(2017)
Self (archive footage)
Peter Falk Versus Columbo
(2019)
Self (archive footage)
My Darling Vivian
(2020)
Self (archive footage)