The phone line crackled, the connection wavering, but the voice on the other end was instantly recognizable. For over half a century, few voices have been as distinct and memorable as that of Peter Falk. It was 2005, and the conversation revolved around his latest film, The Thing About My Folks, a heartwarming movie penned by and co-starring Paul Reiser. In this gentle film, Falk portrayed Reiser’s father, a man whose life is upended when his wife, played by Olympia Dukakis, leaves him. Inevitably, our discussion drifted towards the role that cemented Falk’s place in television history: Columbo, the seemingly bumbling yet brilliant detective he embodied on television screens intermittently from 1971 to 2003.
Peter Falk and Paul Reiser in “The Thing About My Folks,” a film inspired by Reiser’s father’s love for Columbo. Falk’s portrayal resonated deeply with audiences.
Reiser had specifically sought out Falk for the role, modeling the character on his own father, a devoted Columbo fan. “That was a pleasure to hear,” Falk chuckled, his voice retaining that signature raspy charm. “Paul’s father used to sit and roar at Columbo. That’s great. That is great!” Playing Reiser’s father prompted Falk to reflect on his own dad and the values he instilled. “He believed in work,” Falk recounted. “My father’s whole life was work. He had a retail store in Ossining, New York, and I mean he was down there at 6:15 every morning. The store didn’t open until 9, but he hadda be down there. That’s all he knew. He loved that store.” He fondly remembered his father’s inclusive nature and the respect he garnered from his community. “He was a nice man. And he didn’t make any difference—white, black, brown, whatever.” Falk continued, his thoughts drifting back to his childhood, “He used to go up to this place, what was it called…Maryknoll…”
It was at this point that a surprising connection emerged. Having a link to Columbo felt significant, a thread to grasp tightly. “You mean the Maryknoll Seminary?” I interjected, referencing the renowned Catholic missionary society. Falk’s reaction was immediate and enthusiastic, as if we had discovered a shared family secret. “Yeah! Right!” he exclaimed. “How did you know that?” I explained my childhood visits to the area, family drives through the Hudson Valley. “No!!” Falk barked in delighted disbelief. “How do you like that? Gee whiz!!!” The warmth in his voice was palpable. It was remarkable how someone as globally recognized as Peter Falk, iconically known as Columbo, could find genuine joy in a fleeting geographical commonality with a stranger. “Well, my father used to sell them sheets and pillow cases!” he revealed with a burst of hearty laughter. “What else can I tell ya?” he asked, ever the engaging conversationalist. “Anything else I can help ya out with?”
My mind raced. The initial agreement was a brief 5-10 minute chat about The Thing About My Folks. We broadened the conversation, discussing the scenic Hudson Valley backdrop of the movie, his admiration for Olympia Dukakis (“In about a minute and a half I’d felt like I’d known her all my life. She doesn’t have an ounce of bulls-t in her”), and her recently published book. Curious about his own literary inclinations, I inquired if he had ever considered writing a book. “Actually,” he confessed, “I am writing a book.” This would later become Just One More Thing, his memoir published in 2007, reflecting on his extensive career in show business. He then began to reminisce about the caliber of talent that graced the Columbo series. “I’ve worked with some terrific actors. The list of guys that came on the Columbo show, I mean they were world-class actors from all over the world—Oskar Werner, Laurence Harvey, Donald Pleasence, you know…foreigners.”
Robert Culp, a frequent and acclaimed guest star on Columbo, seen here in Season 3. Culp’s dynamic with Falk was a highlight of the series.
He specifically highlighted two recurring guest stars who became integral to Columbo‘s success. “Robert Culp came back about three times, and Jack Cassidy, he came back about three times. They were perfect.” But it was Patrick McGoohan who received the highest praise. “And then there was Patrick McGoohan. Me, Universal Studios, ( Columbo co-creators) Bill Link and Richard Levinson, all of us are eternally indebted to Pat McGoohan.” This was a surprising revelation. Patrick McGoohan, known for his iconic roles in 1960s series Secret Agent (or Danger Man) and The Prisoner, was another recurring villain in Columbo. Yet, Falk considered McGoohan’s contributions crucial to the show’s enduring classic status.
Patrick McGoohan, celebrated by Peter Falk as a pivotal figure in Columbo’s success. McGoohan’s guest appearances were Emmy-winning and significantly shaped the show.
“I think he’s the only actor in television history to win back-to-back Emmys for guest performances in a two-hour movie,” Falk stated with admiration. “The first time he was on with us he won the Emmy, the second time he went on he won the Emmy, but the second time he also directed it, and he made an enormous writing contribution. And he never got a nickel for that. He can’t help himself. He has to start writing. He’s a wonderful writer. A genius. And a great, great Columbo villain!” I noted that Falk himself began his career portraying villains, including his Oscar-nominated role in Murder, Inc., but studios soon realized audiences were too fond of him in those roles. He laughed, acknowledging he was not cut out to be a Columbo antagonist. “I was a street-guy villain,” he clarified. “I was a street-corner villain. I was an illiterate villain. All rough edges. But, say, McGoohan, you could hear his brain humming, and I’m telling you just sitting opposite him and he’s playing these characters I could hear him thinking. It was terrific.”
In his later years, as Peter Falk took on fewer roles in television and film (appearing in only three movies after The Thing About My Folks before Alzheimer’s took its toll), he found solace in his art studio in Venice, California.
Peter Falk in his element, sketching in his art studio. Drawing and art became a significant passion in his later life, reflecting his creative spirit beyond acting.
“I’m a draw-er,” he declared. “I’m old fashioned. I really think you should know how to draw before you start painting. I use charcoal and graphite, I put a skylight in. In my house, I turned the garage into an art studio. So I’m awash in art studios.” With a mischievous glint in his voice, he added, “I get a hold of a female model. And sometimes she’s even wearing clothes.” Examples of Falk’s artwork can still be found on his website, PeterFalk.com, showcasing another facet of his creative talent.
Shortly after our conversation, I experienced Wim Wenders’ acclaimed 1987 film, Wings of Desire, a poetic fantasy about angels watching over Berlin. To my surprise, Peter Falk appeared in the film, credited as “der Filmstar” but universally recognized and called “Columbo.” One of Falk’s most endearing qualities was his embrace of the character that defined his career. He didn’t shy away from Columbo; he embodied him. This was evident even in Wings of Desire, where on the streets of Berlin, he flashed that characteristic squinty smile (a consequence of losing an eye to cancer at age three) whenever someone recognized him as his famous TV persona. In the film, he is also seen sketching, creating impromptu portraits of film extras during set breaks, mirroring his real-life passion.
Peter Falk in “Wings of Desire,” playing a film star recognized as Columbo. The role playfully blurs the lines between Falk the actor and his iconic detective character.
This week, consider revisiting a few episodes of Columbo to appreciate anew the effortless charm Peter Falk brought to his craft. And perhaps conclude with Wings of Desire, a surreal masterpiece where Falk’s character uniquely bridges the worlds of angels and humanity. It’s comforting to imagine him now at St. Peter’s gate. He pauses halfway through the Pearly Gates, hand to his forehead, and turns back. “Oh, St. Peter,” he calls out. The Apostle looks up from his ledger, slightly bemused. “I’m really sorry, St. Peter…but there’s just one more thing that keeps bothering me…”
