Peter Falk: Columbo star dies at age 83 [PHOTOS]
Peter Falk, the actor best known for his role as the raincoat-wearing detective in Columbo died at the age of 83.
A family spokesman told Los Angeles radio news station KNX 1070 that the actor has passed.
The New York-born actor won four Emy Awards as Lt. Frank Columbo. His character was an absent-minded detective who was often underestimated by many of his foes.
He started his career as an actor in a community theater in Connecticut. He later moved to New York to pursue a professional acting career. When he first decided to move to the big city, he was advised not to because he would face many obstacles because of his glass eye. According to People.com, Faulk's right eye was surgically removed at age 3 due to a tumor.
Falk's big break came in 1960 when he landed a role in the gangster film Murder Inc. In his autobiography Faulk called that movie a miracle that made my career.
He later won an Emmy for his role in The Dick Powell Theater.
![Actors Wayne Rogers L and Peter Falk attend the unveiling of Rogers039 star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood December 13, 2005. Actors Wayne Rogers L and Peter Falk attend the unveiling of Rogers039 star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood December 13, 2005.](https://d.ibtimes.com/en/full/36597/actors-wayne-rogers-l-peter-falk-attend-unveiling-rogers039-star-hollywood-walk-fame.jpg)
![Paul Reiser L and Peter Falk, the co-stars of the new film quotThe Thing About My Folksquot, pose together for a portrait at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, September 7, 2005. Paul Reiser L and Peter Falk, the co-stars of the new film quotThe Thing About My Folksquot, pose together for a portrait at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, September 7, 2005.](https://d.ibtimes.com/en/full/36598/paul-reiser-l-peter-falk-co-stars-new-film-quot-thing-about-my-folksquot-pose-together.jpg)
![U.S.Actor Peter Falk is kissed by his wife Shera as they arrive for the David di Donatello film awards in Rome April 14, 2004. U.S.Actor Peter Falk is kissed by his wife Shera as they arrive for the David di Donatello film awards in Rome April 14, 2004.](https://d.ibtimes.com/en/full/36599/usactor-peter-falk-kissed-his-wife-shera-they-arrive-david-di-donatello-film-awards-rome.jpg)
![U.S. actor Peter Falk, known as legendary Inspector Columbo, is dressed as a German police officer as he speaks to German actress Brigitte Mira R during the TV show U.S. actor Peter Falk, known as legendary Inspector Columbo, is dressed as a German police officer as he speaks to German actress Brigitte Mira R during the TV show](https://d.ibtimes.com/en/full/36600/us-actor-peter-falk-known-legendary-inspector-columbo-dressed-german-police-officer-he.jpg)
![Actor Peter Falk arrives as a guest at the Filmmakers Alliance 5th anniversary gala in Los Angeles August 14, 2002. German film director Wim Wenders was honored with the Alliance039s third annual Vision Award. Actor Peter Falk arrives as a guest at the Filmmakers Alliance 5th anniversary gala in Los Angeles August 14, 2002. German film director Wim Wenders was honored with the Alliance039s third annual Vision Award.](https://d.ibtimes.com/en/full/36601/actor-peter-falk-arrives-guest-filmmakers-alliance-5th-anniversary-gala-los-angeles-august-14.jpg)
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