Peter Falk

Peter Michael Falk  (September 16, 1927 – June 23, 2011) 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 (1974), Opening Night (1977), Elaine May's Mikey and Nicky (1976) and the Columbo episode: Étude in Black (1972). Falk's other film roles include It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963), The Great Race (1965), Anzio (1968), Murder by Death (1976), The Cheap Detective (1978), The In-Laws (1979), The Princess Bride (1987), Wings of Desire (1987), The Player (1992), and Next (2007).

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Happy New Year (1987)

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 men and women they begin the set-up, but then Nick falls for the owner of a neighboring antique store and things ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  John G. Avildsen
CAST:  Peter Falk  •  Charles Durning  •  Tom Courtenay  •  Tracy Brooks Swope

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 men and women they begin the set-up, but then Nick falls for the owner of a neighboring antique store and things ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  John G. Avildsen
CAST:  Peter Falk  •  Charles Durning  •  Tom Courtenay  •  Tracy Brooks Swope

A Woman Under the Influence (1974)

Mabel Longhetti, desperate and lonely, is married to a Los Angeles municipal construction worker, Nick. Increasingly unstable, especially in the company of others, she craves happiness, but her extremely volatile behavior convinces Nick that she poses a danger to ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Cassavetes
CAST:  Peter Falk  •  Gena Rowlands  •  Fred Draper  •  Lady Rowlands

Mabel Longhetti, desperate and lonely, is married to a Los Angeles municipal construction worker, Nick. Increasingly unstable, especially in the company of others, she craves happiness, but her extremely volatile behavior convinces Nick that she poses a danger to ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Cassavetes
CAST:  Peter Falk  •  Gena Rowlands  •  Fred Draper  •  Lady Rowlands

American Cowslip (2009)

In Blythe, California, a small town in the remote California desert, Ethan Inglebrink is an eccentric, agoraphobic heroin addict who is obsessed with his garden. This dark comedy follows the last days of Ethan's life as he struggles to find purpose at a time when ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Mark David
CAST:  Ronnie Gene Blevins  •  Cloris Leachman  •  Val Kilmer  •  Peter Falk

In Blythe, California, a small town in the remote California desert, Ethan Inglebrink is an eccentric, agoraphobic heroin addict who is obsessed with his garden. This dark comedy follows the last days of Ethan's life as he struggles to find purpose at a time when ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Mark David
CAST:  Ronnie Gene Blevins  •  Cloris Leachman  •  Val Kilmer  •  Peter Falk

Checking Out (2005)

A feisty octogenarian on the verge of his ninetieth birthday invites his three grown children to his upcoming birthday celebration with the explicit understanding that when the festivities end, so does his life.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jeff Hare
CAST:  Peter Falk  •  Laura San Giacomo  •  Judge Reinhold  •  Mary Elizabeth Winstead

A feisty octogenarian on the verge of his ninetieth birthday invites his three grown children to his upcoming birthday celebration with the explicit understanding that when the festivities end, so does his life.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jeff Hare
CAST:  Peter Falk  •  Laura San Giacomo  •  Judge Reinhold  •  Mary Elizabeth Winstead

Cookie (1989)

Cookie Voltecki is the illegitimate daughter of mobster Dino Capisco, who has just finished thirteen years in prison. Since being released from jail, all that Dino wants is to settle some old scores, and make up for lost time with his daughter.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Susan Seidelman
CAST:  Peter Falk  •  Dianne Wiest  •  Michael V. Gazzo  •  Brenda Vaccaro

Cookie Voltecki is the illegitimate daughter of mobster Dino Capisco, who has just finished thirteen years in prison. Since being released from jail, all that Dino wants is to settle some old scores, and make up for lost time with his daughter.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Susan Seidelman
CAST:  Peter Falk  •  Dianne Wiest  •  Michael V. Gazzo  •  Brenda Vaccaro

It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963)

FunnyUpliftingClassicClever

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 the madcap adventures of those strangers as each attempts to claim the prize for himself.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Stanley Kramer
CAST:  Spencer Tracy  •  Milton Berle  •  Sid Caesar  •  Buddy Hackett

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 the madcap adventures of those strangers as each attempts to claim the prize for himself.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Stanley Kramer
CAST:  Spencer Tracy  •  Milton Berle  •  Sid Caesar  •  Buddy Hackett

Mikey and Nicky (1976)

In Philadelphia, a small-time bookie who stole mob money is in hiding and he begs a childhood friend to help him evade the hit-man who's on his trail.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Elaine May
CAST:  Peter Falk  •  John Cassavetes  •  Ned Beatty  •  Rose Arrick

In Philadelphia, a small-time bookie who stole mob money is in hiding and he begs a childhood friend to help him evade the hit-man who's on his trail.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Elaine May
CAST:  Peter Falk  •  John Cassavetes  •  Ned Beatty  •  Rose Arrick

Murder by Death (1976)

FunnyCleverGoofyMysterious

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 rooms, secret passages, false identities and more plot turns and twists than are decently allowed.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Moore
CAST:  Eileen Brennan  •  Truman Capote  •  James Coco  •  Peter Falk

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 rooms, secret passages, false identities and more plot turns and twists than are decently allowed.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Robert Moore
CAST:  Eileen Brennan  •  Truman Capote  •  James Coco  •  Peter Falk

Opening Night (1977)

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 aging. One night a car kills one of Myrtle's fans who is chasing her limousine in an attempt to get the star's ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Cassavetes
CAST:  Gena Rowlands  •  John Cassavetes  •  Ben Gazzara  •  Joan Blondell

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 aging. One night a car kills one of Myrtle's fans who is chasing her limousine in an attempt to get the star's ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Cassavetes
CAST:  Gena Rowlands  •  John Cassavetes  •  Ben Gazzara  •  Joan Blondell

Pocketful of Miracles (1961)

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 royalty.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Frank Capra
CAST:  Bette Davis  •  Glenn Ford  •  Hope Lange  •  Peter Falk

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 royalty.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Frank Capra
CAST:  Bette Davis  •  Glenn Ford  •  Hope Lange  •  Peter Falk

Robin and the 7 Hoods (1964)

In prohibition-era Chicago, the corrupt sheriff and Guy Gisborne, a south-side racketeer, knock off the boss Big Jim. Everyone falls in line behind Guy except Robbo, who controls the north side. Although he's out-gunned, Robbo wants to keep his own territory. A ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Gordon Douglas
CAST:  Frank Sinatra  •  Dean Martin  •  Sammy Davis Jr.  •  Bing Crosby

In prohibition-era Chicago, the corrupt sheriff and Guy Gisborne, a south-side racketeer, knock off the boss Big Jim. Everyone falls in line behind Guy except Robbo, who controls the north side. Although he's out-gunned, Robbo wants to keep his own territory. A ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Gordon Douglas
CAST:  Frank Sinatra  •  Dean Martin  •  Sammy Davis Jr.  •  Bing Crosby

Shark Tale (2004)

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 creature would guess: He's a vegetarian. When a lie turns Oscar into an improbable hero and Lenny becomes an outcast ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bibo Bergeron  •  Rob Letterman  •  Vicky Jenson
CAST:  Will Smith  •  Robert De Niro  •  Renée Zellweger  •  Jack Black

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 creature would guess: He's a vegetarian. When a lie turns Oscar into an improbable hero and Lenny becomes an outcast ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bibo Bergeron  •  Rob Letterman  •  Vicky Jenson
CAST:  Will Smith  •  Robert De Niro  •  Renée Zellweger  •  Jack Black

The Great Muppet Caper (1981)

FunnyBrilliantClassicWhimsical

Kermit and Fozzie are newspaper reporters sent to London to interview Lady Holiday, a wealthy fashion designer whose priceless diamond necklace is stolen. Kermit meets and falls in love with her secretary, Miss Piggy. The jewel thieves strike again, and this time ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jim Henson
CAST:  Jim Henson  •  Frank Oz  •  Dave Goelz  •  Jerry Nelson

Kermit and Fozzie are newspaper reporters sent to London to interview Lady Holiday, a wealthy fashion designer whose priceless diamond necklace is stolen. Kermit meets and falls in love with her secretary, Miss Piggy. The jewel thieves strike again, and this time ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jim Henson
CAST:  Jim Henson  •  Frank Oz  •  Dave Goelz  •  Jerry Nelson

The Great Race (1965)

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 across America, the Bering Straight and Russia) will help to promote automobile sales. Leslie's arch-rival, the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Blake Edwards
CAST:  Jack Lemmon  •  Tony Curtis  •  Natalie Wood  •  Peter Falk

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 across America, the Bering Straight and Russia) will help to promote automobile sales. Leslie's arch-rival, the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Blake Edwards
CAST:  Jack Lemmon  •  Tony Curtis  •  Natalie Wood  •  Peter Falk

The In-Laws (1979)

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 government agent, then proceeds to drag Sheldon into a series of chases and misadventures from New York to Central ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Arthur Hiller
CAST:  Peter Falk  •  Alan Arkin  •  Penny Peyser  •  Ed Begley Jr.

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 government agent, then proceeds to drag Sheldon into a series of chases and misadventures from New York to Central ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Arthur Hiller
CAST:  Peter Falk  •  Alan Arkin  •  Penny Peyser  •  Ed Begley Jr.

The Player (1992)

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

DIRECTION:  Robert Altman
CAST:  Tim Robbins  •  Greta Scacchi  •  Fred Ward  •  Whoopi Goldberg

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

DIRECTION:  Robert Altman
CAST:  Tim Robbins  •  Greta Scacchi  •  Fred Ward  •  Whoopi Goldberg

The Princess Bride (1987)

AdventurousBrilliantRomanticWhimsical

In this enchantingly cracked fairy tale, the beautiful Princess Buttercup and the dashing Westley must overcome staggering odds to find happiness amid six-fingered swordsmen, murderous princes, Sicilians and rodents of unusual size. But even death can't stop these ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Rob Reiner
CAST:  Peter Falk  •  Cary Elwes  •  Robin Wright  •  Chris Sarandon

In this enchantingly cracked fairy tale, the beautiful Princess Buttercup and the dashing Westley must overcome staggering odds to find happiness amid six-fingered swordsmen, murderous princes, Sicilians and rodents of unusual size. But even death can't stop these ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Rob Reiner
CAST:  Peter Falk  •  Cary Elwes  •  Robin Wright  •  Chris Sarandon

The Thing About My Folks (2005)

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 to find her, Ben takes Sam on a day trip to see a farmhouse that's for sale. The day trip turns into a road trip ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Raymond De Felitta
CAST:  Peter Falk  •  Paul Reiser  •  Olympia Dukakis  •  Elizabeth Perkins

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 to find her, Ben takes Sam on a day trip to see a farmhouse that's for sale. The day trip turns into a road trip ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Raymond De Felitta
CAST:  Peter Falk  •  Paul Reiser  •  Olympia Dukakis  •  Elizabeth Perkins

Undisputed (2002)

Monroe Hutchens is the heavyweight champion of Sweetwater, a maximum security prison. He was convicted to a life sentence due to a passionate crime. Iceman Chambers is the heavyweight champion, who lost his title due to a rape conviction to ten years in Sweetwater. ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Walter Hill
CAST:  Wesley Snipes  •  Ving Rhames  •  Peter Falk  •  Michael Rooker

Monroe Hutchens is the heavyweight champion of Sweetwater, a maximum security prison. He was convicted to a life sentence due to a passionate crime. Iceman Chambers is the heavyweight champion, who lost his title due to a rape conviction to ten years in Sweetwater. ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Walter Hill
CAST:  Wesley Snipes  •  Ving Rhames  •  Peter Falk  •  Michael Rooker

Wings of Desire (1987)

OriginalInspiringBeautifulComplex

Two angels, Damiel and Cassiel, glide through the streets of Berlin, observing the bustling population, providing invisible rays of hope to the distressed but never interacting with them. When Damiel falls in love with lonely trapeze artist Marion, the angel longs ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Wim Wenders
CAST:  Bruno Ganz  •  Otto Sander  •  Solveig Dommartin  •  Curt Bois

Two angels, Damiel and Cassiel, glide through the streets of Berlin, observing the bustling population, providing invisible rays of hope to the distressed but never interacting with them. When Damiel falls in love with lonely trapeze artist Marion, the angel longs ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Wim Wenders
CAST:  Bruno Ganz  •  Otto Sander  •  Solveig Dommartin  •  Curt Bois
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