Peter Falk Forgot 'Columbo' and Became 'Unrecognizable' in the End — Daughter Learned about His Death through Media

Since he was three, Peter Falk lived with one prosthetic eye, causing him to sacrifice his dream job. However, he became a famous actor, most recognized for his role as Lieutenant Columbo, but in his final years, his dementia made him forget his hard work and success. After his passing, Falk's second wife forbade his daughters to attend the funeral.

Peter Falk had Alzheimer's in the years leading up to his death in 2011. Then 83, Falk left a legacy in the film and television industry, mainly through his role as detective Lieutenant Columbo in the famous series "Columbo":

Sadly, by the end of his life, Falk couldn't remember his most famous character or the many other roles he portrayed during his career. He did, however, had great care under his wife's supervision.

Peter Falk's Glass Eye Caused Career Rejections. Still, He Proved to Be a Great Actor with Several Accolades

Born Peter Michael Falk on September 16, 1927, in New York City, the actor was only three when he underwent surgery to remove a malignant tumor from his right eye. Acting had already been his interest since high school, but he tried pursuing different careers after graduating.

Falk's roadblock never stopped him from reaching greater heights. In 1958, Falk debuted his big-screen appearance in "Wind Across the Everglades."

After the armed services during World War II rejected him because of his eye, Falk became a Merchant Marine cook. According to his biographer, Richard Lertzman, Falk came from an affluent family and liked adventure.

Lertzman claimed Falk dreamed of becoming a CIA agent, but this did not materialize because of his previous work experience and glass eye. He later tried to become a rifleman but was rejected the opportunity because of his disability.

In 1951, Falk graduated from the New School for Social Research with a degree in Political Science. Two years later, he earned his Master's in Public Administration from Syracuse University. After his education, Falk worked with Connecticut's state budget bureau as a management analyst but eventually left.

While in college, Falk fell in love with Alyce Mayo and married her in 1960. By then, he had already jumpstarted his acting career, appearing on Off-Broadway shows in the late '50s and landing roles in the "Saint Joan" and "Diary of a Scoundrel" Broadway plays.

He faced another rejection in his career when he flunked the screen test of Columbia Pictures. Harry Cohn, then the studio's head, reportedly said he could use the same money to pay an actor with two working eyes.

Falk's roadblock never stopped him from reaching greater heights. In 1958, Falk debuted his big-screen appearance in "Wind Across the Everglades." He first brought to life several bad-guy characters until making success as the main star.

Two years later, he landed a significant role as the antagonist in "Murder, Inc," where he earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

During each film, Falk pursued other women. It was no secret that he was relentlessly cheating on Mayo. While she initially turned a blind eye, Mayo's patience reached its maximum capacity.

The following year, Falk found success in his character, gangster Joy Boy, in "Pocketful of Miracles." His performance in the film garnered him another Academy Award nomination for the same category.

His career became a whirlwind of success with many other on-screen productions, such as "The Dick Powell Show," which landed him his first Emmy Award win.

Falk's other credits include "The Great Race," "Robin and the 7 Hoods," "Pressure Point," "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World," "Husbands," "A Woman Under the Influence," "Murder by Death," "The Princess Bride," and "The Prisoner of Second Avenue," among many others.

Falk was a skilled actor, and that translated into great movies and television shows. However, he lacked in his household and failed to become a good husband. Lertzman said:

"He was a negligent husband and an absentee father, yet he became one of the most iconic stars of his generation."

During each film, Falk pursued other women. It was no secret that he was relentlessly cheating on Mayo. While she initially turned a blind eye, Mayo's patience reached its maximum capacity. When she had enough, Mayo decided to end her marriage.

Peter Falk Gained Immense Popularity Because of His Role as Columbo, but behind His Success Was a Crumbling Family

Falk tied the knot with fellow actress Shera Danese in 1977, the year after his divorce. Danese, whom he had an affair with for a while, was 22 years younger than he. As the actor recalled, he chased her down the street for a date.

While she wasn't interested, Danese eventually gave in to one cocktail. Their relationship bloomed soon after. However, Danese wasn't the woman who tamed Falk's habitual desire to be with other women; no one was.

Falk had already basked in his "Columbo" success when he divorced his first wife and married his second. While it was the show he is most remembered for, "Columbo's" lead character was initially offered to Bing Crosby.

Their relationship was plagued with arguments that Peter Falk and Shera Danese were known as the Fighting Falks in the industry. Their cycle consisted of fighting, calling it quits, and reconciling again.

Falk was sociable and liked being around friends and drinking beer or heavy liquor. As his biographer, William Birnes, said, he was a "carouser, who loved being around other guys, drinking and playing pool, and behaving badly till sunrise."

Falk had two adopted children, Catherine and Jackie, from his first marriage, with whom he had faulty relationships. According to Catherine, Danese's interference caused a barrier between Falk and his kids.

Falk had already basked in his "Columbo" success when he divorced his first wife and married his second. While it was the show he is most remembered for, "Columbo's" lead character was initially offered to Bing Crosby.

However, the "Going My Way" star was busy playing golf and didn't want the production to interfere with his golf schedule. Crosby declined the role, which ended up going to Falk.

According to Lertzman, Falk initially didn't want to accept the role, but he needed to compensate after being defrauded of $100,000 by his manager. He also felt his career's slowdown.

"Falk didn't want to be tied down to the rigors of a series," the author said. The reason he accepted the offer was to ease his financial worries.

Falk covered his wardrobe on the show, wearing a crumpled brown suit and trench coat that became a staple on every episode. As the actor recalled, he bought the coat from a shop on a rainy day on 57th Street, New York. The raincoat even became known on set for the ruffling noise it made.

Falk became invested in his on-screen disheveled cigar-smoking on-screen character as time passed. By the final season, he became television's highest-paid actor generating $500,000 per episode.

In 2005, Falk's wife took over his fortune and well-being. By the end of 2007, a series of dental operations and a hip surgery exacerbated Falk's Alzheimer's, and in 2009, he reportedly had dementia.

However, Falk's involvement turned into stepping beyond an actor's duty. He argued with directors over lines and camera angles. "He became notorious for delaying filming and sending budgets soaring," Birnes claimed. At some point, working with the actor seemed more difficult than advantageous.

Falk's secretary even called him his own worst enemy. Still he appeared in more films such as "The In-Laws," "The Princess Bride," and "Wings Of Desire." He also pushed to make more Columbo films until his last in 2003.

After years of glory in Hollywood, Falk's health rapidly declined. In 2006, his memories started to wither. His frustration inevitably affected his health.

Peter Falk's Memory Faltered in His Final Years, and His Children Were Reportedly Restricted from Visiting Him

At 81, Falk had advanced Alzheimer's and could no longer care for himself. Once, paparazzi snapped shots of the actor acting strange while wandering around near his Beverly Hills estate. Bystanders called the cops when a commotion ensued, but Falk insisted he had only been returning home from a stroll.

Later photographs featured a disheveled-looking Falk, who had visibly gained weight. In 2005, Falk's wife took over his fortune and well-being. By the end of 2007, a series of dental operations and a hip surgery exacerbated Falk's Alzheimer's, and in 2009, he reportedly had dementia.

According to Dr. Stephen Read, Falk's condition worsened either from the anesthesia or a reaction during the operation. As a result, Falk no longer remembered his most famous role as Columbo nor the four Emmy Awards he won for his performance on the show.

A part of his Beverly Hills mansion was turned into a facility for his care under Danese's supervision. However, Falk's daughter, Catherine, fought for her father's guardianship and claimed Danese prevented her from seeing her dad. She said:

"My father was married to a woman that made it really difficult for my father to feel free. We weren't allowed to go to his house."

She alleged that Danese cut ties with Catherine and slammed the door in her face when she would come to see Falk. Meanwhile, Danese claimed Catherine had a turbulent relationship with her father and used Falk's diary to strengthen her claim.

According to the LA County Department of Public Health, the legendary actor died of cardiac arrest with Alzheimer's and pneumonia as the underlying reasons.

According to Danese, her husband did not want a relationship with Catherine, especially after their falling out during her college years. She brought a lawsuit to make Falk fund her university tuition back then. Catherine admitted they were estranged for a while but since reconciled.

Catherine took her complaints to court and even showed postcards and letters from her father to prove their relationship. She wanted control over her father's care and safety, claiming her stepmother was abusive.

The duo had a battle over Falk's guardianship and $100 million fortune, but his daughter lost. Catherine was eventually allowed to visit her father for only 30 minutes twice a week after losing the battle for custodianship.

Falk peacefully passed away on June 23, 2011, in his Beverly Hills residence. According to the LA County Department of Public Health, the legendary actor died of cardiac arrest with Alzheimer's and pneumonia as the underlying reasons.

It was later revealed that his daughter, Catherine, was banned from attending his funeral and only learned about her father's passing through the media hours later. Catherine's lawyer, Troy Martin, contacted Danese's legal camp regarding funeral details. However, they denied her information and replied:

"Peter's final resting place is only about Peter, not Catherine, his estranged adopted daughter."

During an interview, Catherine grieved her father's death and opened up about their relationship. "I had a very loving relationship with him. I adored him, and he adored me," she said.

At the end of his life, Falk looked "unrecognizable" to those who knew him for his famed character, Columbo. This concerned many fans and bystanders.

Falk's death encouraged Catherine to lobby the New York State legislature to create a law allowing a person's children to visit them. Known as Falk's Law, the statute prohibits conservators from hindering a child's right to their parent. The law has since inspired several states to do the same.

Most of Falk's fortune went to his wife of several decades. He was buried in a sea of Hollywood legends at the Westwood Memorial Park.

At the end of his life, Falk looked "unrecognizable" to those who knew him for his famed character, Columbo. This concerned many fans and bystanders.

"It was a tragic ending to his glorious life," Lertzman said. "He lived life to the fullest, loved carousing, loved women, and loved Columbo. But in the end, he could remember none of it."

Nevertheless, Falk's legacy remains alive in Hollywood and in the lives of those he touched. He was survived by his second wife and his two adopted children.