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'Columbo' Star Peter Falk Dead at 83
Peter Falk as Columbo
Veteran actor Peter Falk, beloved for his role as TV sleuth "Columbo," has died. He was 83. Falk died Thursday night, a family spokesperson confirmed with local radio station KNX 1070, however no further information about the star's death has been made available yet. Falk was born in New York City in 1927. As a boy, Falk participated in numerous sports, despite having had his right eye removed when he was three years old because of a tumor. He wore a glass eye for the rest of his life.
Acting became Falk's calling in the early 1950s, and he began his career on the stage. His "breakout" film performance is considered 1960's "Murder Inc." He received an Academy Award nomination for his role in the film, and followed it the next year with a nomination for his work in "A Pocketful of Miracles."
Ultimately, Falk became known for his television work. He first played Lt. Columbo in a 1968 TV special. The shows ran on NBC from 1971 to 1978, then re-appeared on ABC from 1989 to 2003.
In 2007, Falk reportedly began to suffer from dementia, and in 2009 his wife Shera was appointed his legal conservator. The actor and his life was kept very private in recent years, including at Christmas 2008, when thieves stole the decorations from the couple's Beverly Hills home.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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