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
Shark Tale
(2004)
Don Feinberg (voice)
The Princess Bride
(1987)
The Grandfather / Narrator
Wings of Desire
(1987)
The Filmstar
Undisputed
(2002)
Mendy Ripstein
It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
(1963)
Third Cab Driver
The Player
(1992)
Peter Falk
Next
(2007)
Irv
American Cowslip
(2009)
Father Randolph
Pocketful of Miracles
(1961)
Joy Boy
The Cheap Detective
(1978)
Lou Peckinpaugh
A Woman Under the Influence
(1974)
Nick Longhetti
Castle Keep
(1969)
Sgt. Rossi
Murder by Death
(1976)
Sam Diamond
Husbands
(1970)
Archie Black
The Great Race
(1965)
Max
Mikey and Nicky
(1976)
Mikey
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
It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
(1963)
Third Cab Driver
The Balcony
(1963)
Police Chief
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
Anzio
(1968)
Cpl. Jack Rabinoff
Prescription: Murder
(1968)
Columbo
A Hatful of Rain
(1968)
Polo Pope
Machine Gun McCain
(1969)
Charlie Adamo
Castle Keep
(1969)
Sgt. Rossi
Husbands
(1970)
Archie Black
Operation Snafu
(1970)
Peter Pawney
A Step Out of Line
(1971)
Harry Connors
The Making of 'Husbands'
(1971)
Self
Ransom for a Dead Man
(1972)
Columbo
A Woman Under the Influence
(1974)
Nick Longhetti
Murder by Death
(1976)
Sam Diamond
Mikey and Nicky
(1976)
Mikey
Griffin and Phoenix
(1976)
Geoffrey Griffin
Opening Night
(1977)
Self (uncredited)
The Brink's Job
(1978)
Tony Pino
The Cheap Detective
(1978)
Lou Peckinpaugh
Scared Straight!
(1978)
Narration (voice)
The In-Laws
(1979)
Vincent J. Ricardo
The Muppets Go Hollywood
(1979)
Self
...All the Marbles
(1981)
Harry Sears
The Great Muppet Caper
(1981)
Tramp
Night of 100 Stars
(1982)
Self
I Love Liberty
(1982)
Self
Shoot Don't Shoot
(1982)
host
Big Trouble
(1986)
Steve Rickey
Wings of Desire
(1987)
The Filmstar
Happy New Year
(1987)
Nick
The Princess Bride
(1987)
The Grandfather / Narrator
Vibes
(1988)
Harry Buscafusco
Cookie
(1989)
Dominick 'Dino' Capisco
Arena - John Cassavetes
(1989)
Self
In the Spirit
(1990)
Roger Flan
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
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
Faraway, So Close!
(1993)
Peter Falk
Anything for John
(1993)
Self
Out of the Shadows: The Films of John Cassavetes
(1993)
Self
The World of Jim Henson
(1994)
Tramp (archive footage)
Roommates
(1995)
Rocky Holzeck
Cops n Roberts
(1995)
Salvatore Santini
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)
A Storm in Summer
(2000)
Abel Shaddick
Lakeboat
(2000)
Pierman
Enemies of Laughter
(2000)
Paul's Father
A Constant Forge
(2000)
Self
From Where I Sit
(2000)
Abe
The Lost World
(2001)
Theo Kerr
A Town Without Christmas
(2001)
Max
Made
(2001)
Max
Corky Romano
(2001)
Francis A. 'Pops' Romano
Hubert's Brain
(2001)
Bailey (voice)
Undisputed
(2002)
Mendy Ripstein
Three Days of Rain
(2002)
Waldo
NBC 75th Anniversary Special
(2002)
Self
Finding John Christmas
(2003)
Max
Wilder Days
(2003)
James 'Pop Up' Morse
Wings of Desire: The Angels Among Us
(2003)
Self
When Angels Come to Town
(2004)
Max
Shark Tale
(2004)
Don Feinberg (voice)
The Thing About My Folks
(2005)
Sam Kleinman
Checking Out
(2005)
Morris Applebaum
Edge of Outside
(2006)
Self
Next
(2007)
Irv
Three Days to Vegas
(2007)
Gus 'Fitzy' Fitzgerald
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)