Entertainment BEAT - PETER FALK REMEMBERED - Part 2

Peter Falk enjoyed playing 3 on 3 basketbal - studio portrait for publicity photo

James Loving - National Radio Text Service

Falk was fearless and enjoyed a good time. At 5'5" or 5'6" and 50 years of age he took on all comers. He enjoyed playing 3 on 3 basketball at the Beverly Hills Health Club (BHHC) during the mid seventies - Part 1 Peter Falk Gone But Not Forgotten

Beverly Hills, California USA

Friday, July 08, 2011

PETER FALK WAS THE REAL DEAL

In the TV series Columbo what you saw in Peter Falk's role of Lieutenant Columbo is what you got, a level headed down to earth man with a sense of humor. In real life Peter Falk was the same. He was just like one of the kids on the block and always kept it real with no bullshit.

Falk's right eye was surgically removed when he was three because of a retinoblastoma; he wore a glass eye for most of his life. Despite this, Falk participated in team sports, mainly baseball and basketball, as a boy. In a 1997 interview in Cigar Aficionado magazine with Arthur Marx, Falk said, "I remember once in high school the umpire called me out at third base when I was sure I was safe. I got so mad I took out my glass eye, handed it to him and said, 'Try this.' I got such a laugh you wouldn't believe."

Falk was fearless and enjoyed a good time. At 5'5" or 5'6" and 50 years of age he took on all comers. He enjoyed playing 3 on 3 basketball at the BHHC. He chose me to play on his team with another 50-year-old who also was about 5'5" or 5'6" but I was much more youthful. Our opponents were always younger and stronger but by some strange, divine, miraculous intervention we won 10 straight games. One of the teams that we defeated several times played for their college basketball teams.

What Falk did best was set picks. He knew how to position his small body, create space and block out much taller opponents. He would motion to me to come his way set the pick and I would make the shot. It was amazing as if somebody up there was watching and was on our side.

The Beverly Hills Health Club setting was surreal. At that time members of the club would wear white togas that resembled a scene from the Roman era. The small basketball court less than half of a regulation size court was adjacent to the swimming pool resulting in attracting crowds reclining on beach chairs watching us play and at times cheering.

Knowing that Falk had a glass eye I asked him in which eye was blind so I didn't throw a pass that he couldn't see on his blind side. That came after an exchange of words when a play was messed up. That was also the time that he exclaimed, "I'm 50-years-old."

But more than basketball what I remember Falk for the most was after I took some publicity photos I was sitting in front of my locker looking them over. He came into the room and asked to see them. He then critiqued them and that was when he chose his favorite two of the 36 photos and told me those two photos he chose were great character shots. That was the first time I'd ever heard someone make a comment of what a character shot was as I didn't have a clue but he most certainly did.

At that time I was making the transition from being a musician and entering the entertainment/music journalism field. Working in clubs or reviewing bands took up my evenings which meant I very seldom watched Colombo. I'm not into hero worship but given his stature at the time (1975/76) he was the most down to earth person I'd ever met in Hollyweird where too many people THINK they are stars and they have done noting to justify their ego.

Falk was as famous as an actor could be during that time in his role of Colombo. The series was frequently was rated the best show in America over its 25 year 69 episode run including specials spanning a period from 1968 to 2003.

Often Falk and a group of actors, directors and I would have a meal in the BHHC restaurant. Never once did he talk about himself regarding his acting career.

Falk was so real that he was the type of guy that came from my neighborhood but the genuine type not the young gangsters that went to jail for crimes or were executed for committing murder. He was the type of guy that would cover your back when a problem occurred.

What the world lost is not only a renowned actor but a great human being with integrity who was humble, helpful and caring.