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Peter Falk Biography

Birth Name:

Peter Michael Falk

Birth Place:

New York, New York, United States

Profession

Actor

Fast Facts

Lost his right eye to a tumor at the age of 3
Made his first stage appearance at 12 in a camp production of The Pirates of Penzance
After finishing school, unsuccessfully interviewed for a position with the CIA; spent three years as an efficiency expert for the Connecticut State Budget Bureau
Big-screen debut came with the 1958 drama Wind Across the Everglades
Signature character Columbo was first played by Bert Freed in a 1960 episode of The Chevy Mystery Show
Bing Crosby was the producers' first choice to play Columbo when the character got his own series; Lee J
Cobb was also considered
Often worked with indie filmmaker John Cassavetes
Their joint projects include Machine Gun McCain (1969), Husbands (1970), A Woman Under the Influence (1974), Mikey and Nicky (1976), Opening Night (1977) and Big Trouble (1986)
Surprised his former high-school classmates by attending his 50th reunion in 1995; he had been senior class president
Daughter Catherine Falk is a former private detective
Greatest artistic passion other than acting was drawing

1994Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
1991Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
1991Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama: nominated
1990Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: winner
1978Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
1978Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama: nominated
1977Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
1976Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: winner
1976Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama: nominated
1975Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series: winner
1975Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama: nominated
1974Emmy-Best Lead Actor in a Limited Series: nominated
1974Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama: nominated
1973Emmy-Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Drama, Continuing: nominated
1973Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama: winner
1972Golden Globe-Actor in a Leading Role - Drama Series or Television Movie: nominated
1972Emmy-Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Series: winner
1961Oscar-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
1961Golden Globe-New Star of the Year - Actor: nominated
1960Oscar-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated