FALK PETER DIED IN AMERICA

Four Emmy Awards WINNER AND the raspy-voiced actor,Peter Falk,died Thursday at his home in Beverly Hills, Calif.here are only a handful of television characters who become unforgettable icons and whose fame lasts beyond the expiry of their programs.

Like Ralph Kramden, Sheriff Andy Taylor, Mister Spock, Tony Soprano and Archie Bunker, Lt. Columbo was a legendary figure from TV.The fun was in watching the Lieutenant demolish the suspect’s alibis and build his case piece-by-piece.

Columbo also wore a crummy raincoat, smoked cheap stogies, and didn’t seem very bright, But all that was a deception – he was brilliant and always figured out how and why a murder was committed.Falk started playing Columbo in 1971 and won four Emmys for the character. He noted that Columbo was originally a play with Thomas Mitchell of “Gone With the Wind” in the role. He was pitted against Joseph Cotten as a psychiatrist.

Falk said he was recognized 99 percent of the time for Columbo. Other times, fans mentioned his favorite film, “The In-Laws.”Peter's wife, Shera and daughter Catherine were locked in a legal battle in 2009 over the creation of a conservatorship for Peter and who would control it.  In the end, the judge appointed Shera conservator.Falk was best known to audiences as Lt. Columbo on the police series. But Falk was also known for his film work; he was nominated for two Academy Awards, for 1960's 'Murder, Inc.' and 1961's 'Pocketful of Miracles.' His last credited film role was the 2009 flick 'American Cowslip' opposite Cloris Leachman and Diane Ladd.
 MAY GOD REST HIS SOUL IN HEAVEN.