Gone but not forgotten: remembering the life of Peter Falk (2025)

Opinion / TributeSeptember 14, 2016columbophile

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Gone but not forgotten. Since his death on 23rdJune, 2011, Peter Falk continues to hold a large part of the hearts of millions of fans. He remains a pop culture icon, thanks in no small part to his work on Columbo.

I like to to take some time each June and September (his birthday month) to remember what he brought to the world. It’s hard to come up with new ways of paying my respects to Peter, but in this article I thought I’d share some of my favourite images and videos of the great man throughout his life.

I’ve put these forward because they’re ones that I think show off his charm and character, as well as a few of his greatest hits and variety of his work. And, naturally, Columbo looms large amongst them.

I keep adding new images to this gallery as more and more lovely images come to my attention. I hope you’ll enjoy them as much as I do.

Peter with his bike aged 3, circa 1931

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Young Peter – perhaps 10?


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Peter in the role of Abe Reles in 1960’s Murder Inc – the film that really put him on the map

Peter Falk and his first wife, Alyce, at the Academy Awards, April 1962. Peter was up for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Pocketful of Miracles.
Peter looking totally cool in 1965.
Starring alongside Jack Lemmon in The Great Race in 1965.
Peter with Natalie Wood, during the filming of Penelope in 1966

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Alongside Elaine May in 1967 promotional photo for the movie Luv

We all recognise this one: a not-too-shabby looking younger Columbo from 1968’s Prescription: Murder.

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Playing ball with daughter Catherine

Peter with great friends Ben Gazzara and John Cassavetes during filming of Husbands, 1970

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One of the iconic production stills from ‘Husbands’, 1970

Peter relaxes with a young Steven Spielberg during the filming of Murder by the Book in 1971

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Sharing a joke with Dagger of the Mind co-star Bernard Fox in 1972


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Alone at the LA Coliseum in 1972’s Columbo The Most Crucial Game

Peter’s Emmy Award acceptance speech from 1972 is legendary!

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Hanging with James Caan in the mid-70s. What a cool pair!


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On the set of Columbo, circa 1973

Could this be Columbo’s single greatest scene? Peter having a whale of a time with Martin Landau during the ad-libbed cookery scene in Double Shock from 1973

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Rocking the Oscars as an award presenter in 1974


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Peter Falk image from the February 1974 issue of Photoplay magazine


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Magnificent portrait of Peter from the Dan Wynn archive

Publicity photo of Peter Falk and Gena Rowlands in A Woman Under the Influence in 1974

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SC4Ae6FuWM

Peter Falk talks Columbo with Johnny Carson in 1974

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Peter with Jack Nicolson and Michelle Phillips, sometime in the 1970s


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Peter looking gorgeous in his casual outfit in 1974


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Delightful publicity shot for Columbo, mid 70s

The coolest 70s golfer of them all?
Peter plants a smacker on Columbo co-star Jessica Walter after their joint Emmy success in May 1975.

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Alongside Truman Capote and David Niven in 1976’s Murder by Death


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Looking utterly loveable in Inspector Lucerne’s hat in Fade In To Murder in 1976


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Wearing the Columbo mac on the streets of Paris during a 1976 promotional tour for A Woman Under the Influence


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Talking ‘Columbo’ on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, May 1977

Peter with Shera Danese at a party in LA in June 1977 – a few months before their wedding.
Utterly delightful image of Peter Falk and Shera Danese, circa 1978.

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Lookin’ slick in a tux in 1978’sMurder Under Glass

Peter plays up to the cameras on the red carpet at the Premiere of ‘Hair’ in 1979.

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Peter having a hoot in what appears to be a mobile home, late 1970s. Could he BE having any more fun?

Peter starring alongside Kermit the Frog in 1981’s The Great Muppet Caper.
Peter’s cameo in the Ghostbusters music video from 1984.

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Fooling around on a night out in Noo Yoik, 1985


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Just hanging out at home in LA, 1990s


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Columbo the silver fox from 2000’s Murder With Too Many Notes


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At home with Shera and the dogs, 2000s

Legends! Peter Falk and Mr T at NBC’s 75th anniversary press lunch in April 2002.

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What a boss! At home with a cigar, 2000s


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Peter was posthumously awarded a Hollywood Walk of Fame star in July 2013


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Awesome tribute: statues of Columbo and Dog were unveiled in Budapest, Hungary, in May 2014. Every city should have one…

Of course there are a million more I could haveput forward, but these represent some great highlights from the life of a fine and much-loved man, who is with us in spirit as much as ever.

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What’s your favourite memory of Peter? Were you lucky enough to meet him? Let me know in the comments section below. And thanks, as always, for reading.

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Gone but not forgotten: remembering the life of Peter Falk (2025)
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