Fun Facts About Peter Falk and The Iconic Investigator Columbo (2024)

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Fun Facts About Peter Falk and The Iconic Investigator Columbo? ›

The character is a shrewd but inelegant blue-collar homicide detective whose trademarks include his shambling manner, rumpled beige raincoat, cigar and off-putting, relentless investigative approach.

The character is a shrewd but inelegant blue-collar homicide detective whose trademarks include his shambling manner, rumpled beige raincoat, cigar and off-putting, relentless investigative approach.

Falk's own favorite Columbo episodes were "Any Old Port in a Storm", "Forgotten Lady", "Now You See Him" and "Identity Crisis".

Columbo's first name is never explicitly revealed in the series. However, when Columbo flashes his badge in the episode "Dead Weight" (Season 1 Episode 3), the name 'Franck' can clearly be seen on his ID.

Before him, we see a "million years old" Basset hound resting on the table, and after the vet confirms the dog's bill of health, Columbo explains he's just adopted the dog because the shelter said the dog was at the end of his life.

Peter Michael Falk was born Sept. 16, 1927, in New York City, and grew up in Ossining, N.Y., where his father owned a clothing store. At 3, his right eye was removed because of a cancerous growth, and he was given a glass eye.

Lieutenant Columbo

The problem is Columbo was notorious for NOT carrying a gun. There was an episode where he was working a case and they had to chase him down to go to the range to qualify because he never had his gun. I believe he paid someone to shoot for him. Colombo never carried a gun.

It's a Columbo movie with a great story, with solid characters and as well an original ending to it. It's after all the only Columbo movie in which the killer gets away with the crime, for an humane reason. It's perhaps also the Columbo movie with the best ending because it's so surprising as well as original.

Columbo handles and works his prop cigar to perfection, like a man born to the art – so it's a bit surprising that in real life, Peter Falk is not a cigar man. Falk is a lifelong cigarette smoker, who enjoys a cigar just occasionally.

Peter Falk had a glass eye that led to Columbo's signature squint. Columbo's famous one-eyed squint wasn't an acting choice, but rather a condition of Falk's glass eye he had from childhood cancer.

Did Columbo have ADHD? ›

James Linton on Twitter: "Columbo definitely had adhd, he is my spirit animal.

If classic Columbo is good and late-era Columbo is bad, then the lieutenant must have jumped the shark with the 1989 return of the mac? In truth, you have to go further back – to 1976.

When fans hear Lieutenant Columbo's trademark phrase “just one more thing…” we know he's about to crack the case wide open. The unconventional detective, played brilliantly by Peter Falk, first appeared on our screens in 1968.

Did You Know: Peter Falk's classic squint in Columbo was actually due to a prosthetic eye. He lost one eye to cancer when he was just three years old.

Also NBC/Universal Pictures sold the Columbo Peugeot after its last episode, and it turned up in Ohio.

Orange County Sheriff's homicide detective Dan Salcedo retired after 17 years with more than 400 suspicious deaths and about 200 homicide investigations under his belt. Colleagues and supervisors said Salcedo did his best work sitting across the table from suspects and witnesses.

Peter Falk (1927–2011)

An American actor and comedian, known for his role as Lieutenant Columbo in the long-running television series Columbo (1968–2003). In December 2008, it was reported that Falk had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

Although his TV wife was never seen, Peter Falk's real life wife Shera Danese appeared in six episodes of "Columbo". Donna Adamo Churchill and 1,121 others like this. Love their acting, most of all the aninal charity work.

“Peter was a carouser, who loved being around other guys, drinking and playing pool and behaving badly till sunrise,” says author Birnes. “He was a man's man, drinking beer, Scotch and gin.

Worst episode – Last Salute to the Commodore

At best a failed experiment, at worst an affront to the series and an insult to the viewer, Last Salute to the Commodore is the one 70s' episode that is almost universally panned – and deservedly so.

Was Columbo intelligent? ›

Columbo is a shrewd and intelligent blue-collar homicide detective whose trademarks include his rumpled beige raincoat, unassuming demeanor, cigar, old Peugeot 403 car, love of chili con carne, and unseen wife (whom he mentions frequently).

Columbo ponders what to call his dog. He chats with the animal and tries on "Fido" and "Beethoven" for size. Of course, he ends up simply calling the dog "Dog." Dog quickly became a fan favorite.

It was established in two episodes that Columbo speaks fluent Italian. With his New York accent and olive complexion he played a convincing Italian-American. In reality, Peter Falk was of Polish-Jewish, Czech-Jewish, and Hungarian-Jewish ancestry and was not an Italian speaker.

The name Columbo is primarily a male name of Italian origin that means Dove.

Of the 69 cases Columbo took, he solved exactly one without ever “talking” to the suspect. It was his only non-murder case (his nephew's wife was kidnapped after the wedding)..

Yes, the first time we saw Columbo was a TV movie called”Prescription Murder” in 1968,where he was emotional in that movie. During the series, he rarely got angry at a suspect . Why did Peter Falk make a good Columbo?

Peter Falk, in full Peter Michael Falk, (born September 16, 1927, New York, New York, U.S.—died June 23, 2011, Beverly Hills, California), American actor who was best known for his portrayal of the eccentric detective Lieutenant Columbo in the television series Columbo (1971–78) and made-for-TV movies.

Columbo favored short, green cigars—the color of inexperience—which he constantly puffed, chewed, and waved around in performative ignorance.

McGoohan holds the record for most recurring Columbo killer, having appeared as a murderer four different times. Robert Culp also appeared in four episodes but played the killer in only three.

In numerous episodes, Columbo suffers from coughing, sneezing and sniffling. It seems he is prone to getting colds, but in “An Old Fashioned Murder”, Columbo explains that he also has seasonal allergies, “every Spring”. And he can't take antihistamines, because they make him drowsy.

Do we ever meet Mrs Columbo? ›

The miracle of Mrs Columbo is that although she is never seen or heard, she makes her presence felt throughout "Columbo". Without ever showing her face, she remains a major character in the show, capturing our imagination and affection. Her success is a testament to the power of good writing in "Columbo".

Fans know that's because Columbo's clothes, from his beat-up shoes to that unfortunate raincoat and the full green suit he often wore between them, came from the closet of actor Peter Falk, who famously played the quirky TV detective.

MBTI Type: INTP

Columbo cannot let something go until he understands it. He often halts an investigation to puzzle over why something is out of place, or how that happened, or what is going on, whereas the other police detectives are more interested in the obvious clues.

The phrase was coined in 1985 by Jon Hein in response to a 1977 episode from the fifth season of the American sitcom Happy Days, in which Fonzie (Henry Winkler) jumps over a shark while on water-skis.

Between the executives disliking the show's format, the writers resenting the long episodes, and Falk demanding extensive script access, there was plenty of tension on the "Columbo" set, and years would pass between Falk's contracts.

At the age of 40, Falk landed the part, making his debut as Columbo in the pilot episode, Prescription Murder.

Carol Flemming – Prescription: Murder

This makes the first ever Columbo killing one of the most disturbing. Moments after sharing a kiss and cuddle with wife Carol, Dr Ray Flemming locks his hands around her throat and constricts until she falls – seemingly lifeless – to the floor.

The name Columbo is boy's name of Latin origin meaning "dove".

The shortest episodes were 'Double Exposure' (Season Three), 'A Case of Immunity', 'A Matter of Honor' (Season Five), 'The Bye-Bye Sky High IQ Murder Case' (Season Six), and 'Try and Catch Me' (Season Seven), while the longest episode was 'Forgotten Lady' (Season Five).

Westwood Cemetery, Los Angeles, California is the final resting place of actor Peter Falk. Falk is most recognizable as the television character "Columbo." However, Peter Falk was quite a prolific talent and starred in myriad roles both on television and in film.

How much is Columbo's coat worth? ›

Who knew when Columbo walked them into the pool in Most Crucial Game that they were in fact haute couture? The estimated sale price has dropped considerably to between $30-50,000.

According to the article, expert tailors rapidly aged the new raincoat by staining it with tea and repeatedly running over the coat with an automobile in the parking lot at Universal. But the original raincoat still remains enshrined in Peter Falk's home.

James Linton on Twitter: "Columbo definitely had adhd, he is my spirit animal.

6. Peter Falk had a glass eye that led to Columbo's signature squint. Columbo's famous one-eyed squint wasn't an acting choice, but rather a condition of Falk's glass eye he had from childhood cancer.

Although his TV wife was never seen, Peter Falk's real life wife Shera Danese appeared in six episodes of "Columbo". Donna Adamo Churchill and 1,121 others like this.

Columbo handles and works his prop cigar to perfection, like a man born to the art – so it's a bit surprising that in real life, Peter Falk is not a cigar man. Falk is a lifelong cigarette smoker, who enjoys a cigar just occasionally.

Did You Know: Peter Falk's classic squint in Columbo was actually due to a prosthetic eye. He lost one eye to cancer when he was just three years old. Blanca Teresa Gonzalez Mereles and 629 others like this. Awesome show cant ever make another Colombo.

For the last four years of his life, TV actor Peter Falk, who died in June aged 83, suffered from severe Alzheimer's disease.

Married to Peter Falk, she played in six of his "Columbo" TV movies: Fade in to Murder (1976), Murder Under Glass (1978), Murder, a Self Portrait (1989), Columbo and the Murder of a Rock Star (1991), Undercover (1994) and, finally, A Trace of Murder (1997)