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Peter Falk Biography

Birth Name:Peter Falk

Birth Place:New York City, New York, United States

Profession Actor, Producer, Soundtrack, Art department, Director, Writer

Fast Facts

  • Awarded a Knight of Arts and Letters from the Ministry of Culture of France in 1996
  • Earned a Master of Public Administration degree in 1953 from Syracuse University
  • At the age of 12, he made his first stage appearance in a camp production of "The Pirates of Penzance․"
  • Quote: "Being chased by Columbo is like being nibbled to death by a duck․"
  • Often collaborates with John Cassavetes in films, including "Husbands," "Machine Gun McCain," "Big Trouble," etc
  • Widely recognized for his "Colombo" character and the false exit catchphrase, "One more thing…"
  • After graduating from college, he applied for a job with the CIA but was rejected due to his involvement with the Marine Cooks and Stewards Union while serving in the military
  • Was considered for the role of Ted Henderson in "Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice․"
  • Wore a glass eye for most of his life after having his right eye removed due to him suffering from cancer in his retina
  • Worked as an efficiency expert for the state of Connecticut before making it as an actor

Awards

  • 1961Oscar-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 1961Golden Globe-Most Promising Newcomer - Male: nominated
  • 1961Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role by an Actor or Actress in a Single Program: nominated
  • 1962Oscar-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 1962Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Single Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: winner
  • 1972Golden Globe-Best TV Actor - Drama: nominated
  • 1972Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Series: winner
  • 1973Golden Globe-Best TV Actor - Drama: winner
  • 1973Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role (Drama Series - Continuing): nominated
  • 1974Golden Globe-Best TV Actor - Drama: nominated
  • 1974Primetime Emmy-Best Lead Actor in a Limited Series: nominated
  • 1975Golden Globe-Best TV Actor - Drama: nominated
  • 1975Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series: winner
  • 1975TP de Oro-Best Foreign Actor (Mejor Actor Extranjero): winner
  • 1976Bambi-TV Series International: winner
  • 1976Golden Camera-Best German Actor: winner
  • 1976Golden Globe-Best Actor in a Television Series - Drama: nominated
  • 1976Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: winner
  • 1976TP de Oro-Best Foreign Actor (Mejor Actor Extranjero): nominated
  • 1977Gold Medal-Favorite Movie: nominated
  • 1977Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 1978Golden Globe-Best Actor in a Television Series - Drama: nominated
  • 1978Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 1978TP de Oro-Best Foreign Actor (Mejor Actor Extranjero): winner
  • 1990Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: winner
  • 1991Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama: nominated
  • 1991Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 1993Bambi-TV Series International: winner
  • 1994Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 1994Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2001Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Performer in a Children's Special: nominated
  • 2002Stinker Award-Worst Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2005TV Land Award-Favorite "Casual Friday" Cop: nominated
  • 2006Movies for Grownups Award-Best Grownup Love Story: nominated
  • 2006Best Actor-: winner
  • 2021OFTA TV Hall of Fame-Character: winner