Quicksand Fans

I learned of the passing of actor Peter Falk, who became a television legend for playing the rumpled, seemingly slow-witted detective, Lt. Columbo.

Falk was an outstanding character actor who received two Oscar nominations in a long career. However, he will always be remembered as Columbo, the homicide detective who always got the better of the high and mighty types who underestimated him.

His trademark line had to be what he said after he had apparently concluded questioning a suspect: "Oh, and just one more thing. I almost forgot..." With that, he'd asked the sort of question that made the suspect wonder if he was as dumb as he appeared to be.

Lt. Columbo has been compared with Sherlock Holmes. The big difference was this: Holmes was a genius, and he wanted everyone to know it. Columbo was also a genius, but he played the fool. That's how he caught the culprit every time.

Are you sure there's not one more thing, Peter? I guess not. Too bad. It was nice to know you and see your work.

Big Bad John

Heard that too... another original passes...

He was also hilarious in the film "The In-Laws" with Alan Arkin, playing a weird CIA agent who's son was marrying dentist Alan Arkin's daughter. A personal fav. Plus "Murder by Death" and "The Cheap Detective" where he essentially parodied the classic detective Sam Spade.

Also did a sweet turn as the grandfather reading The Princess Bride.

I knew he had a glass eye, which is why he always seemed to have that "out of focus" expression which he used to great advantage on Columbo. I think it may have been a war wound of some sort, but I'm not sure...

Rest in Peace, Mr. Columbo.

The glass eye was from a childhood operation. He tried to join the Marines in WWII and was turned down as a result of his obviously impaired vision. Anxious to do something he signed on the Merchant Marine as a cook and did what he could. He was a great actor but it's always cool to hear that he was a real guy as well. He is peripherally connected to our group interest here in two ways that I can think of- "The Princess Bride" and as Maximillian Meen, the goofy lackey of Dr. Fate in "The Great Race". That's where we got the phrase push the button Max for the scene with Lena and Brittany. Really enjoyed his work over the years.

What!!!

I loved Colombo. That was my very favorite detective show when I was young!

Rest in peace, Peter.

Nessie

"Excuse me, sir. Am I bothering you? I just have one more question ..." Columbo was a very good series for Mr. Falk. He had been a good character actor for decades before that. I loved him as the grandfather reading the story in "The Princess Bride," (which had a very quick QS scene) - "As you wish" was the line that meant "I love you." Another childhood hero gone. Thanks for the memories.

Didn't see that yet until this thread. What a shame. I never got to see the old Columbo's when they came out, but getting to see them later was a great find. I still will watch an episode from those first seasons if they are on. Sadly I haven't seen one in a few years now as no channels run them.

I am sad to hear of his passing.

Duncan Edwards wrote:The glass eye was from a childhood operation. He tried to join the Marines in WWII and was turned down as a result of his obviously impaired vision. Anxious to do something he signed on the Merchant Marine as a cook and did what he could. He was a great actor but it's always cool to hear that he was a real guy as well. He is peripherally connected to our group interest here in two ways that I can think of- "The Princess Bride" and as Maximillian Meen, the goofy lackey of Dr. Fate in "The Great Race". That's where we got the phrase push the button Max for the scene with Lena and Brittany. Really enjoyed his work over the years.

Thanks for the info, Duncan.

He had a glass eye from the age of three. One story says that during a little league baseball game he disagreed with the umpire's call so much that removed his glass eye and handed it to the umpire telling him that he needed it worse. There's a natural for you.

Duncan Edwards wrote:he disagreed with the umpire's call so much that removed his glass eye and handed it to the umpire telling him that he needed it worse. There's a natural for you.

Roll On Floor Laugh Muddy Heinie Off!

Nessie

Lets also remember him for his Broadway performances "Prisoner of Second Avenue" which he won a Tony for. He also performed in "Street Car named Desire" with Susan Pleshette . I wish I could find a pic of one of his performances but every one I found was of him as Columbo.

Oh BTW.. I am Colombo.. They spelled his name Columbo.

Rest well Peter, and Thanks.

Robert