Entertainment BEAT - PETER FALK REMEMBERED - Part 1

Peter Falk was best known for his role as Lieutenant Columbo in the television series Columbo - Public domain photo

James Loving - National Radio Text Service

On June 23rd 2011 America lost one of the most renowned actors in television history as Peter Falk passed away at the age of 83 - I had the pleasure of knowing him as we were members of the Beverly Hills Health Club (BHHC) during the mid seventies

Beverly Hills, California USA

Thursday, July 07, 2011

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

On June 23rd 2011 America lost one of the most renowned actors in television history as Peter Falk passed away at the age of 83.

Falk died at his Beverly Hills home on June 23, 2011, at the age of 83. The cause of death was not released. According to his daughter, Catherine Falk, the actor had been suffering from dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Falk was survived by his wife and two daughters. His daughters said they would remember his "wisdom and humor".

Falk was best known for his role as Lieutenant Columbo in the television series Columbo. He appeared in numerous films such as The Princess Bride, The Great Race and Next, and television guest roles and was nominated for an Academy Award twice (for 1960's Murder, Inc. and 1961's Pocketful of Miracles), and won the Emmy Award on five occasions (four for Columbo) and the Golden Globe award once.

Director William Friedkin, when discussing Falk's role in his 1978 film The Brink's Job said that "Peter has a great range from comedy to drama. He could break your heart or he could make you laugh."

The debut Columbo episode in 1971 was directed by 25-year-old Steven Spielberg in one of his earliest directing roles. Falk recalled the episode to Spielberg biographer Joseph McBride:

"Let's face it; we had some good fortune at the beginning. Our debut episode, in 1971, was directed by this young kid named Steven Spielberg. I told the producers, Link and Levinson: "This guy is too good for Columbo" ... Steven was shooting me with a long lens from across the street. That wasn't common twenty years ago. The comfort level it gave me as an actor, besides its great look artistically - well, it told you that this wasn't any ordinary director."

After Falk's death Spielberg said, "I learned more about acting from him at that early stage of my career than I had from anyone else."

Singer Johnny Cash recalled acting in one episode, and although he was not an experienced actor, he writes in his autobiography, "Peter Falk was good to me. I wasn't at all confident about handling a dramatic role, and every day he helped me in all kinds of little ways.

In June 2009, one of Falk's personal physicians, Dr. Stephen Read, reported Falk rapidly slipped into dementia after a series of dental operations in 2007. Dr. Read said it was unclear whether Falk's condition had worsened as a result of anesthesia or some other reaction to the operations. He went on to add that Falk's condition was so bad he could no longer remember the character of Columbo.

Falk was the real deal. He was an outwardly reserved type filled with personality and a warm sense of humor. He was small in stature but big in heart.

I had the pleasure of knowing him as we were members of the Beverly Hills Health Club (BHHC) during the mid seventies. Our lockers were side by side in the executive locker room. On the screen what you saw is what you got. In real life Falk came off as the same character that he portrayed in Columbo.

Part 2 - PETER FALK WAS THE REAL DEAL