FOUND A GRAVE

Peter Falk is fondly remembered for his role of Lieutenant Columbo in the popular TV series “Columbo” (1971 to 1978). Raised in Ossining, New York, at age three he was diagnosed with a malignant tumor in his right eye which required its removal; he would use a glass eye for the remainder of his life. His first experience on stage was in a production of “The Pirates of Penzance” when he was twelve while attending summer camp and during his high school years, he was a model student and standout athlete. Upon graduation, he served with the Merchant Marines and later studied at Hamilton College (Clinton, New York), before attending the New School for Social Research, where he received his BA in Political Science, and Syracuse University from where he attained a master’s degree in Public Administration. He initially attempted to apply for a position with the CIA, but was unsuccessful. Peter Falk would serve as manager of the Connecticut State Budget, while fulfilling his ambitions of acting, as he performed with the Mark Twain Maskers in Hartford. Falk decided to pursue an acting career full-time and quit his job to move to New York and begin his training. He appeared in an off-Broadway production of “Don Juan” (1956) and marked his Broadway debut in the play “Saint Joan” (1956 to 1957). He initiated his Hollywood career in the film “Wind Across the Everglades” (1957) and had memorable performances in the pictures “Murder, Inc.” (1960, as the ruthless hit-man which earned him an Academy Award nomination) and “Pocketful of Miracles” (1961, for which he received an Oscar nomination). Further movie roles include “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World” (1963), “Robin and the Seven Hoods” (1964), “The Great Race” (1965), “Penelope” (1966), “Castle Keep” (1969), “A Woman Under the Influence” (1974, directed by his close friend John Cassavetes), “Murder by Death” (1976), “The Cheap Detective” (1978) and “The In-Laws” (1979). He received an Emmy Award for his performance in a 1962 episode of “The Dick Powell Show” titled “The Price of Tomatoes”. He first became a familiar presence to TV audiences in the series “The Trials of O’Brien” (1965 to 1966) and introduced the character of Columbo in the TV- Movie “Prescription: Murder” (1968). During the series’ run which he garnered multiple Emmy Awards, Falk’s performances as the unconventional but shrewd detective who often said “Oh! Just one more thing, sir” and “Gee, now that’s funny” when confronting the culprit became one of the most endearing characters in TV history. He died from complications of Alzheimer’s disease.