Peter Falk
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"Peter Michael Falk" was an American actor, best known for his role as Lt. Columbo in the television series Columbo (TV series)/Columbo. He appeared in numerous films such as The Princess Bride (film)/The Princess Bride, The Great Race and Next (2007 film)/Next, and television guest roles. He was nominated for an Academy Award twice (for 1960's Murder, Inc. (film)/Murder, Inc. and 1961's Pocketful of Miracles), and won the Emmy Award on five occasions (four for Columbo) and the Golden Globe Award once. Director William Friedkin said of Falk's role in his film The Brink's Job (1978): "Peter has a great range from comedy to drama. He could break your heart or he could make you laugh."

In 1968, Falk starred with Gene Barry in a ninety-minute television pilot about a highly skilled, laid-back detective. Columbo eventually became part of an anthology series titled The NBC Mystery Movie, along with McCloud (TV series)/McCloud, McMillan & Wife and Banacek. The detective series stayed on NBC from 1971 to 1978, took a respite, and returned occasionally on ABC from 1989 to 2003. Falk was "everyone's favorite rumpled television detective," wrote historian David Fantle.

In 1996, TV Guide ranked Falk number 21 on its 50 Greatest TV Stars of All Time list.

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He sent the script over and I read it that first night, and about page 45 or 50, I called him up and said I'd do it. I didn't even finish it. You look for a part that you can score in. If I like this character and I can play it, the people are going to laugh or be interested, that's what you look for. They send me things that I wonder why they would send to anybody.

I never heard that before in my life. I loved it so much even though I was supposed to be mad at him. You see the look in my face, which is so delighted.

The Gus Morgan Story.

Paul never told me anything about why he wrote it -- he never mentioned his father and he never mentioned my father, ... He never put me in a position in which I would feel a lot of external pressure other than wanting my reaction to the script. That's the way I would do it. That's the way I know a real professional would do it. That's the proper to do it.

It was automatic. We were always on the same wavelength even before we started shooting.

It wasn't that we improvised it. We were going to shoot it, but I had the props in my hand, and I wanted to understand the props before we shot, so I asked Paul 'Is this the hook?' and 'Where do you put the worm?' that's when the director just said 'Shoot these guys!' I didn't even know the camera was on, but it felt good!

They know there's a gap, and if they're interested in finding out more about why they aren't more connected with their parents, they should see the movie.

Turn the camera on!

Sometimes I see my father in me.