Peter Falk’s Hilarious Acceptance Speech for COLUMBO | Emmys Archive (1972)

Peter Falk explains, in great detail, what it took for him to make it to the 1974 ceremony to collect his award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.

[kevinhealey]

I wrote to him and asked him for his autograph. He sent me back a embossed photo of him as Columbo, with the signature. Down to earth guy.

[beebee]

I wrote to Peter Folk explaining how much joy his Columbo series was helping my grandfather cope during his last months as it brought him so much joy. Peter Falk sent my grandad a lovely letter plus a get well tape recording which meant so much to my grandpa and my family. What a beautiful thing to do, a special man who brought so much joy to the world. We miss you Mr Falk, we love you ❤️

[anacattini]

He was an incredible actor. He is terribly missed.

[snowflake]

Colombo taught me one thing, never underestimate one by the appearance

[micky]

Let’s be honest. We all could seat and watch and re-watch and re-re-watch any single Columbo’s episode and enjoy it like the first time :)

[ljdmanxfella]

*According to my uncle, who was a cameraman in Hollywood and worked with Peter Falk on many of the Columbo episodes, Mr Falk was a great guy. Very genuine, extremely humble, and down-to-earth. Although he's (understandably) remembered for the character of Columbo, it's easy to forget that he was also an accomplished theatre actor in his early days, and for years before that, he'd also had a few **_'regular blue collar'_** jobs. I imagine that time of his life, was the reason why he always kept his feet on the ground, and was so relatable to the people who met him and worked with him.*

*It's also often overlooked that he made over 50 movies through his career in Hollywood. His first being a small role in the 1958 movie, **_"Wind Across The Everglades"_** at the relatively late age of 30. As a kind of semi-detached member and good friend of **_'The Rat Pack', _** (Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Peter Lawford, Sammy Davis Jr. and Joey Bishop), it was often (wrongly) assumed, that Falk must have also had mafia connections, and that he lost his right eye in some kind of fight or brawl. Yet nothing could be further from the truth. His right eye was surgically removed when he was just 3-years-old, as the result of cancer.*

*As an actor, his high intelligence and intellect rarely got the opportunity to shine. For example, he obtained a BA degree in arts and sciences, and a second BA in literature and political science. He was also a very accomplished chess player, artist, pianist and saxophone player. All of which he enjoyed during the many breaks in filming, and at his home in Beverly Hills, with 2nd wife Shera, and his two adopted daughters, Jackie and Catherine.*

*Sadly, Falk was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in late 2008, and subsequently died at home as a result of that, and a heavy bout of pneumonia. To end on a little lighthearted trivia, did you know that the very first episode of Columbo in 1971, was directed by a (then unknown) 24-year-old from Cincinnati, named Steven A. Spielberg! I offer my very best wishes from England to those who are still reading, and I wish you all a healthy and peaceful 2021.*

[mcroley]

This was back when the Hollywood actors had class.

[paulken]

My mother in the UK is turning 90 this year and still loves all the re runs of Columbo. She knows every one by heart. Gives her a lot of comfort

[Ballr]

Sometimes I think Columbo was real, and Peter Falk was the character he played.

[markmeade]

“And just one more thing” this man was just brilliant, such a great loss to both film and television.
RIP Peter Falk …..

[IAmJaguarPaw.ThisIsMyForest.]

Does anyone remember when award shows were fun, the jokes were tasteful, the actors and actresses had class, and there were only adults in the room? What? You neither? I must be losing my memory too. Good that we can watch these old videos to remind us what that was like.

[danielowen]

Peter's humility is what made him so popular. He was a breath of fresh air among his Hollywood peers.

[NotQuiteFirst]

As he was walking away at the end he should have turned and said "One more thing..."

[YouKevo]

For me, Columbo was one of the all-time best TV detectives. Absolutely brilliant.

[FLABrowncoat]

Half a century later, the man still radiates raw meme energy with the intensity of a thousand suns.

[ylekiote]

The one tv show I can remember sitting and watching with my whole family. It crossed all age barriers. Columbo was smart, clever, funny and extremely entertaining.

[lawrencelewis]

When he died, there was an article in the local paper wondering why this guy was held in such high esteem. I wrote to the paper saying, "He has been entertaining me all of my life. He's family."

[TheRichNewnes]

I love that he gives so much credit to the creators of Columbo, but I think we all know that it was Falk that brought that character to life. No one else could have played Columbo like that. RIP Peter.

[thinkforyourself]

Still one of the most compelling and stylish shows ever.

[charlie-obrien]

That's William Corad and Mitzi Gaynor presenting the award to Peter Falk.
Mitzi is simply ravishing in that gown.