📽️Peter Michael Falk

 📽️Peter Michael Falk was born on September 16, 1927 in New York in the Jewish family of haberdashery owner Michael Peter Falk and accountant Madeline Hawkhouse. Among the mother's relatives were Poles, Hungarians and Czechs.

 His early life was not marked by Hollywood glamor, but by tests of strength and resilience.

 At the age of three, he lost his right eye from retinoblastoma and for the rest of his life he wore a glass eye, which later became a feature of his iconic movie character.

Falk's path to popularity was not easy. He attended Ossining High School in New York, where he was known more for his wit and mischievous behavior than for his academic brilliance.

 After graduating from high school, he served in the Merchant Marines during World War II. Returning to civilian life, Falk studied political science in New York City, then earned a master's degree in public administration from Syracuse University.

His initial career was public service.

Peter worked as a management analyst for the Connecticut State Budget Bureau, a less than enviable job.

However, Peter Faltka had a passion for acting and he decided to take acting classes at the famous HB Studios in New York City, where he studied with legendary teachers such as Sanford May.

The transition to acting was not easy. His glass eye was seen as a flaw in a film industry obsessed with physical perfection. However, Falk's determination and talent were undeniable. He began playing small roles in off-Broadway productions and gradually made his way to Broadway and television.

His breakthrough came in 1960 with Murder, Inc., where his role as gangster Abe Reles earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

But it was in 1968 that Falk would land the role that would define his career: Lieutenant Columbo. Casually dressed and smoking a perpetual cigar, his detective was unlike any other character on television. Lieutenant Columbo's apparent absent-mindedness and original appearance masked his razor-sharp intellect. Falk imbued the character with a unique combination of humility, perseverance and subtle humor. His character resonated with audiences, making Columbo one of the most beloved detectives of all time.

The role of Columbo earned Peter Falk four Emmy Awards and cemented him as a television legend. However, despite his success, Falk remained a humble man, similar to the character he portrayed. He continued to appear in various films and television shows, demonstrating his versatility and depth as an actor.

Off the screen, Falk was known for his philanthropy and passion for the arts, especially drawing and painting. He was also an avid chess player and a lover of classical music.

Peter Falk was married twice.

The actor's first wife was Alice Mayo. They met while students at Syracuse University and married in April 1960. After living together for sixteen years and raising two adopted daughters, Jackie and Katherine, the couple separated.

A year later, Peter Falk married for the second time, to actress Shera Danese.

In June 2009, the actor's personal physician reported that Peter Falk was showing signs of dementia after undergoing dental surgery in 2007. It is unclear whether the illness was caused by anesthesia or a reaction to other medical devices. Falk was losing his memory so quickly that he couldn't even remember who Columbo was. The court recognized his wife Shera's right to guardianship and disposal of her husband's property.

Peter Falk's life was a testament to the belief that a person's uniqueness can be a strength rather than a weakness.

The actor died on June 23, 2011. His film legacy lives on today, thanks to Columbo's stubborn nature, which revealed his exceptional talent.

Source: wikipedia.