Peter Falk

Peter Falk

1927-09-16 New York City, New York, USA 95 Credits

Biography

Peter Michael Falk was an American actor and comedian. He is best known for his role as Lieutenant Columbo in the television series Columbo (1968–2003), which earned him four Primetime Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award. Falk was twice nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, for Murder, Inc. (1960) and Pocketful of Miracles (1961). He is also known for his collaborations with filmmaker and actor John Cassavetes in films such as: Husbands (1970), A Woman Under the Influence ...

Known For

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Complete Filmography

My Darling Vivian

My Darling Vivian

2020

as Self (archive footage)

7.5
Acting

The story of Vivian Liberto, Johnny Cash's first wife and the mother of his four daughters. Includes never-before-seen footage and photographs of John...

Peter Falk Versus Columbo

Peter Falk Versus Columbo

2019

as Self (archive footage)

7.4
Acting

For millions of viewers, Peter Falk is Columbo. Despite playing the quintessential blue-collar TV detective of the '70s and '80s, his early career is ...

Arthur Miller: Writer

Arthur Miller: Writer

2017

as Self (archive footage)

7.1
Acting

One of the greatest playwrights of the 20th century, Arthur Miller created such celebrated works as Death of a Salesman and The Crucible, which contin...

Lost Case

Lost Case

2014

as Columbo (archive footage)

Acting

A completely new story based on existing footage from the series Columbo.

And the Oscar Goes To...

And the Oscar Goes To...

2014

as Self (archive footage)

7.0
Acting

The story of the gold-plated statuette that became the film industry's most coveted prize, AND THE OSCAR GOES TO... traces the history of the Academy ...

Char·ac·ter

Char·ac·ter

2012

as Self

4.0
Acting

A raw and candid dialogue about the life and craft of acting between longtime colleagues and friends Dabney Coleman, Peter Falk, Charles Grodin, Mark ...

American Cowslip

American Cowslip

2009

as Father Randolph

5.4
Acting

In Blythe, California, a small town in the remote California desert, Ethan Inglebrink is an eccentric, agoraphobic heroin addict who is obsessed with ...

Next

Next

2007

as Irv

6.1
Acting

Las Vegas showroom magician Cris Johnson has a secret which torments him: he can see a few minutes into the future. Sick of the examinations he underw...

Three Days to Vegas

Three Days to Vegas

2007

as Gus 'Fitzy' Fitzgerald

3.8
Acting

Four grumpy old men go on a road trip from their retired life in Florida to the excitement of Las Vegas in order to stop one of their daughters from m...

Edge of Outside

Edge of Outside

2006

as Self

5.8
Acting

An hour-long documentary designed to celebrate the spirit of the independent filmmaker from D.W. Griffith to Quentin Tarantino. Interview footage and ...

The Thing About My Folks

The Thing About My Folks

2005

as Sam Kleinman

6.3
Acting

Ben's dad Sam shows up one night with a note from Ben's mother (Sam's wife of 46 years), that she has left. While Ben's wife and his three sisters try...

Checking Out

Checking Out

2005

as Morris Applebaum

6.5
Acting

A feisty octogenarian on the verge of his ninetieth birthday invites his three grown children to his upcoming birthday celebration with the explicit u...

When Angels Come to Town

When Angels Come to Town

2004

as Max

6.0
Acting

Max, an angel in exile, walks around the United States to help humans. In a small town in Maine, he meets a young woman without a family named Sally. ...

Shark Tale

Shark Tale

2004

as Don Feinberg (voice)

6.0
Acting

Oscar is a small fish whose big aspirations often get him into trouble. Meanwhile, Lenny is a great white shark with a surprising secret that no sea c...

Finding John Christmas

Finding John Christmas

2003

as Max

6.2
Acting

When a photojournalist photographs a mysterious stranger performing an act of bravery, the act quickly becomes headline news and the town dubs the str...

Wilder Days

Wilder Days

2003

as James 'Pop Up' Morse

5.0
Acting

Quixotic old codger James "Pop Up" Morse (Peter Falk) enjoys spinning colorful yarns for his 11-year-old grandson, Chris (Josh Hutcherson). But the bo...

Wings of Desire: The Angels Among Us

Wings of Desire: The Angels Among Us

2003

as Self

8.3
Acting

This is a documentary about the making of "Wings of Desire" (1987). The director, writer, actors, composer and other contributors speak at length and ...

Undisputed

Undisputed

2002

as Mendy Ripstein

6.5
Acting

Monroe Hutchens is the heavyweight champion of Sweetwater, a maximum security prison. He was convicted to a life sentence due to a passionate crime. I...

Three Days of Rain

Three Days of Rain

2002

as Waldo

5.0
Acting

Six Anton Chekhov short stories set in modern day Cleveland during a three day rain storm.

NBC 75th Anniversary Special

NBC 75th Anniversary Special

2002

as Self

Acting

A celebration of NBC's 75 year history, featuring clips of special moments.

The Lost World

The Lost World

2001

as Theo Kerr

6.0
Acting

This Lost World is a splendid BBC TV dramatisation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's famous adventure story. Bob Hoskins makes an unusually genial Professor...

A Town Without Christmas

A Town Without Christmas

2001

as Max

5.8
Acting

In the small town of Seacliff, Wash., a child's letter to Santa Claus captures the nation's attention. When the little boy, Chris, writes that he wish...

Corky Romano

Corky Romano

2001

as Francis A. 'Pops' Romano

4.3
Acting

Corky Romano is a bumbling, simpleton, veterinarian and the youngest, outcast son of an aging gangster, named Pops Romano, who calls upon Corky to inf...

Made

Made

2001

as Max

5.8
Acting

Two aspiring boxers and lifelong friends get involved in a money-laundering scheme through a low-level organized crime group.

Hubert's Brain

Hubert's Brain

2001

as Bailey (voice)

6.0
Acting

It tells the story of a science geek who befriends a talking brain-in-a-jar.

Enemies of Laughter

Enemies of Laughter

2000

as Paul's Father

5.5
Acting

Nerdy-looking Paul is a neurotic, failed sitcom writer with a lackluster love life. But his best pal has an idea that might turn things around when he...

Lakeboat

Lakeboat

2000

as Pierman

4.7
Acting

A college student befriends various crew members while working a summer internship at sea.

A Storm in Summer

A Storm in Summer

2000

as Abel Shaddick

5.8
Acting

Set in 1969, Abel Shaddick, a crotchety deli owner, has a grudge against virtually everyone in his upstate New York town of Fairview, particularly aga...

A Constant Forge

A Constant Forge

2000

as Self

6.6
Acting

One of the great mavericks of cinema, John Cassavetes has earned a reputation as the godfather of American independent movies. The actor-turned-filmma...

From Where I Sit

2000

as Abe

Acting

High school sex education teacher Sharon and her husband, overwhelmed family man Bob humorously deal with life's ups and downs in suburban Boston.

Money Kings

Money Kings

1998

as Vinnie

6.1
Acting

Vinnie's a bookie, happily married, running his operation for 30 years out of his bar in Brooklyn. Times change, the boys up the chain want a bigger p...

Pronto

Pronto

1997

as Harry Arno

5.3
Acting

Harry Arno is a Miami Beach bookie who finds himself in trouble with his mob bosses for reasons he can't quite figure out. When an assailant attempts ...

Frank Capra's American Dream

Frank Capra's American Dream

1997

as Self

6.2
Acting

A documentary looking at the life and career of film director Frank Capra. Hosted by Ron Howard.

The Sunshine Boys

The Sunshine Boys

1996

as Willie Clark

4.7
Acting

Two aging comedians, who acrimoniously dissolved their act eight years earlier, must overcome their differences when they have the chance for a lucrat...

John Cassavetes: To Risk Everything to Express It All

1996

as Self

Acting
Roommates

Roommates

1995

as Rocky Holzeck

5.9
Acting

An elderly, yet young-at-heart man, moves in with his grandson, and both their lives turn upside-down.

Cops n Roberts

Cops n Roberts

1995

as Salvatore Santini

Acting
The World of Jim Henson

The World of Jim Henson

1994

as Tramp (archive footage)

7.3
Acting

In this episode of PBS' Great Performances, the history and legacy of puppeteer Jim Henson is explored, from his six-second commercial beginnings to a...

Out of the Shadows: The Films of John Cassavetes

Out of the Shadows: The Films of John Cassavetes

1993

as Self

Acting

Get the scoop on the legendary actor-director-New Yorker John Cassavetes straight from the mouth of his friend, peer and co-star Peter Falk (Columbo) ...

Anything for John

Anything for John

1993

as Self

6.0
Acting

An intimate portrait of actor-writer-director John Cassavetes and a loving tribute to his genius for studying and depicting the human character. In-de...

Faraway, So Close!

Faraway, So Close!

1993

as Peter Falk

6.9
Acting

Damiel is now married to Marion, runs the pizzeria “Da Angelo” and the two have a child. The solitarily remaining angel Cassiel is more and more dissa...

The Player

The Player

1992

as Peter Falk

7.2
Acting

A Hollywood studio executive is being sent death threats by a writer whose script he rejected - but which one?

Something a Little Less Serious: A Tribute to 'It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World'

Something a Little Less Serious: A Tribute to 'It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World'

1991

as Self (archive footage)

Acting

A star-studded documentary and tribute to the classic comedy, It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World.

Tune in Tomorrow...

Tune in Tomorrow...

1990

as Pedro Carmichael

5.3
Acting

Martin works at the local radio station, which just hired a new scriptwriter with a reputation for great drama, Pedro Carmichael. Martin’s aunt Julia,...

Sanford Meisner: The American Theatre's Best Kept Secret

1990

as Self

Acting

A leading acting teacher who trained some of the most famous performers of the stage and screen, Sanford Meisner was a founding member of the Group Th...

Motion and Emotion: The Films of Wim Wenders

Motion and Emotion: The Films of Wim Wenders

1990

as Self

Acting

Though very polite and British, this feature-length documentary about German filmmaker Wim Wenders offers the most penetrating insights and the best o...

In the Spirit

In the Spirit

1990

as Roger Flan

3.3
Acting

After her husband loses his job, Marianne moves from Beverly Hills to a nightmare New York City. She hires ditzy psychic Reva to redecorate her apartm...

Cookie

Cookie

1989

as Dominick 'Dino' Capisco

5.2
Acting

Cookie Voltecki is the illegitimate daughter of mobster Dino Capisco, who has just finished thirteen years in prison. Since being released from jail, ...

Arena - John Cassavetes

1989

as Self

Acting

Tribute to actor and director John Cassavetes who died in February 1989. Friends, associates and fellow directors remember the man and his work.

Vibes

Vibes

1988

as Harry Buscafusco

5.7
Acting

Medium Sylvia Pickel and psychometrist Nick Deezy meet at a psychic research facility in New York. Not long after, they're contacted by Harry Buscafus...

The Princess Bride

The Princess Bride

1987

as The Grandfather

7.7
Acting

In this enchantingly cracked fairy tale, the beautiful Princess Buttercup and the dashing Westley must overcome staggering odds to find happiness amid...

Wings of Desire

Wings of Desire

1987

as The Filmstar

7.8
Acting

Two angels, Damiel and Cassiel, glide through the streets of Berlin, observing the bustling population, providing invisible rays of hope to the distre...

Happy New Year

Happy New Year

1987

as Nick

5.5
Acting

Small time crooksters Nick and Charlie have an elaborate plan to rob an exclusive jewelers store. Using a variety of disguises and posing as rich old ...

Big Trouble

Big Trouble

1986

as Steve Rickey

5.3
Acting

Leonard Hoffman is an insurance salesman struggling to make ends meet. The fact that he has triplet sons who all want to go to Yale isn't making thing...

I Love Liberty

I Love Liberty

1982

as Self

Acting

An all-star variety special saluting America.

Night of 100 Stars

Night of 100 Stars

1982

as Self

6.7
Acting

The most glittering, expensive, and exhausting videotaping session in television history took place Friday February 19, 1982 at New York's Radio City ...

Shoot Don't Shoot

1982

as host

Acting

An eye opening program to find out what its like to be a police officer facing the deadly force dilemma

The Great Muppet Caper

The Great Muppet Caper

1981

as Tramp

6.9
Acting

Kermit and Fozzie are newspaper reporters sent to London to interview Lady Holiday, a wealthy fashion designer whose priceless diamond necklace is sto...

...All the Marbles

...All the Marbles

1981

as Harry Sears

6.2
Acting

A two-bit promoter tries to take a women's wrestling team to the top.

The In-Laws

The In-Laws

1979

as Vincent J. Ricardo

6.7
Acting

In preparation for his daughter's wedding, dentist Sheldon Kornpett meets Vince Ricardo, the groom's father. Vince, a manic fellow who claims to be a ...

The Muppets Go Hollywood

The Muppets Go Hollywood

1979

as Self

6.3
Acting

Kermit the Frog throws a glamorous party at the Cocoanut Grove nightclub to celebrate the premiere of the Muppets' first feature film, The Muppet Movi...

The Brink's Job

The Brink's Job

1978

as Tony Pino

6.0
Acting

In 1950, a group of unlikely criminal masterminds commits the robbery of the century. Led by Tony Pino, a petty thief fresh out of prison, and Joe McG...

Scared Straight!

Scared Straight!

1978

as Narration (voice)

7.3
Acting

The filmed depiction of a program where convicts tell troubled kids about the horrors of prison life. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2007.

The Cheap Detective

The Cheap Detective

1978

as Lou Peckinpaugh

6.3
Acting

A spoof of the entire 1940s detective genre. San Francisco private detective, Lou Pekinpaugh is accused of murdering his partner at the instigation of...

Opening Night

Opening Night

1977

as Self (uncredited)

7.6
Acting

Actress Myrtle Gordon is a functioning alcoholic who is a few days from the opening night of her latest play, concerning a woman distraught about agin...

Mikey and Nicky

Mikey and Nicky

1976

as Mikey

6.9
Acting

Nick is desperate, holed up in a cheap hotel, suffering from an ulcer and convinced that a local mob boss wants him killed. Desperate and terrified, h...

Murder by Death

Murder by Death

1976

as Sam Diamond

7.2
Acting

Lionel Twain invites the world's five greatest detectives to a 'dinner and murder'. Included are a blind butler, a deaf-mute maid, screams, spinning r...

Griffin and Phoenix

Griffin and Phoenix

1976

as Geoffrey Griffin

5.3
Acting

Griffin has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Instead of quietly facing his death, he decides to have fun in the time remaining. At a college class...

A Woman Under the Influence

A Woman Under the Influence

1974

as Nick Longhetti

7.8
Acting

Mabel Longhetti, desperate and lonely, is married to a Los Angeles municipal construction worker, Nick. Increasingly unstable, especially in the compa...

Ransom for a Dead Man

Ransom for a Dead Man

1972

as Columbo

7.2
Acting

A brilliant attorney gets rid of her boring husband by faking his kidnapping and keeping the ransom. The FBI may be fooled, but not Columbo.

The Making of 'Husbands'

The Making of 'Husbands'

1971

as Self

Acting

A documentary behind the scenes of John Cassavetes' 'Husbands' (1970).

A Step Out of Line

A Step Out of Line

1971

as Harry Connors

7.0
Acting

Three financially down-and-out buddies plot to pull a bank robbery to cure their financial woes.

Husbands

Husbands

1970

as Archie Black

6.8
Acting

A common friend's sudden death brings three men, married with children, to reconsider their lives and ultimately leave the country together. But mindl...

Operation Snafu

Operation Snafu

1970

as Peter Pawney

5.5
Acting

World War II soldiers enter Sicily to seize German arms supply only to discover there is not a gun in sight.

Castle Keep

Castle Keep

1969

as Sgt. Rossi

5.7
Acting

During the Battle of the Bulge, an anachronistic count shelters a ragtag squad of Americans in his isolated castle hoping they will defend it against ...

Machine Gun McCain

Machine Gun McCain

1969

as Charlie Adamo

6.2
Acting

After serving 12 years behind bars for armed robbery, tough guy Hank McCain finds himself the pawn of a ruthless mob runt's rebellion against a high l...

Anzio

Anzio

1968

as Cpl. Jack Rabinoff

5.7
Acting

American troops land unopposed on Italian beaches during World War II, but instead of pushing on to Rome, they dig in and the Germans fight back feroc...

A Hatful of Rain

A Hatful of Rain

1968

as Polo Pope

Acting

A 1968 made-for-television remake of the 1957 film, based on the disturbing 1956 Michael V. Gazzo play, as performed by members of The Actors' Studio ...

Prescription: Murder

Prescription: Murder

1968

as Columbo

7.8
Acting

In Columbo's first outing, a psychiatrist uses a patient he is having an affair with to help him kill his wife, but his perfect alibi may come apart a...

Luv

Luv

1967

as Milt Manville

4.1
Acting

Depressed by the direction his life is taking, Harry decides to take his own life by jumping off the Manhattan Bridge. At the last minute he's stopped...

Penelope

Penelope

1966

as Lt. Horatio Bixbee

5.6
Acting

When Penelope gets married to banker James Elcott, she finds him too preoccupied with work to pay much attention to her, so she robs his bank in disgu...

Brigadoon

Brigadoon

1966

as Jeff Douglas

7.0
Acting

Every 100 years, people stumble upon the Scottish village of Brigadoon, which will never be found on a map. A wonderful, fun filled day will be had by...

Too Many Thieves

Too Many Thieves

1966

as Danny

4.5
Acting

When some priceless Macedonian treasures are swiped, lawyer Falk arrives to get to the bottom of things. Compiled from the series "Trials of O'Brien"...

The Great Race

The Great Race

1965

as Max

7.1
Acting

Professional daredevil and white-suited hero, The Great Leslie, convinces turn-of-the-century auto makers that a race from New York to Paris (westward...

Attack and Retreat

Attack and Retreat

1964

as lieutenant Mario

6.7
Acting

Chronicle of the unheralded and unsuccessful invasion of the Soviet Union by the Italian army during World War II.

Robin and the 7 Hoods

Robin and the 7 Hoods

1964

as Guy Gisborne

6.1
Acting

Set in Prohibition era Chicago, bootlegger Robbo and his cronies refuse to pay the greedy Guy Gisborne a cut of their profits after Guy shoots mob bos...

It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World

It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World

1963

as Third Cab Driver

7.0
Acting

A group of strangers come across a man dying after a car crash who proceeds to tell them about the $350,000 he buried in California. What follows is t...

The Balcony

The Balcony

1963

as Police Chief

5.2
Acting

The Madam of a brothel satisfies the erotic fantasies of her customers, while a revolution is sweeping the nation. Preserved by the Academy Film Arch...

Pressure Point

Pressure Point

1962

as Young Psychiatrist

6.6
Acting

An African-American prison psychiatrist finds the boundaries of his professionalism sorely tested when he must counsel a disturbed inmate with bigoted...

Pocketful of Miracles

Pocketful of Miracles

1961

as Joy Boy

7.3
Acting

A New York gangster and his girlfriend attempt to turn street beggar Apple Annie into a society lady when the peddler learns her daughter is marrying ...

The Secret of the Purple Reef

The Secret of the Purple Reef

1960

as Tom Weber

2.5
Acting

When a man mysteriously vanishes on his ship in the Caribbean, his two brothers journey there to investigate his disappearance.

Murder, Inc.

Murder, Inc.

1960

as Abe Reles

6.4
Acting

Chronicles the rise and fall of the organised crime syndicate known as Murder, Incorporated, focusing on powerful boss Lepke and violent hit man Reles...

Pretty Boy Floyd

Pretty Boy Floyd

1960

as Shorty Walters

6.3
Acting

Trying to shake his troubled past and start a new honest life, Floyd loses his job because of that past. With nowhere to go but back home in Oklahoma ...

The Bloody Brood

The Bloody Brood

1959

as Nico

4.5
Acting

Nico, a drug dealer, murders a telegram messenger-boy "for kicks", egged on by partner-in-crime, TV director Francis. Cliff, the boy's older brother, ...

Wind Across the Everglades

Wind Across the Everglades

1958

as Writer

6.1
Acting

Set in the early 20th century, the film follows a game warden who arrives in Florida to enforce conservation laws. He soon finds himself pitted agains...