Peter Falk - Actor Profile

Peter Falk

Acting
50Total Films
8.3 Highest Rated
Born: Sep 16, 1927
Birth Place: New York City, New York, USA

About Peter Falk

Peter Michael Falk (September 16, 1927 – June 23, 2011) was an American actor and comedian. He is best known for his role as Lieutenant Columbo in the television series Columbo (1968–1978, 1989–2003), which earned him four Primetime Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award. Falk was twice nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, for Murder, Inc. (1960) and Pocketful of Miracles (1961). He is also known for his collaborations with filmmaker and actor John Cassavetes in films such as: Husbands (1970), A Woman Under the Influence (1974), Opening Night (1977), Elaine May's Mikey and Nicky (1976) and the Columbo episode: Étude in Black (1972). Falk's other film roles include It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963), The Great Race (1965), Anzio (1968), Murder by Death (1976), The Cheap Detective (1978), The In-Laws (1979), The Princess Bride (1987), Wings of Desire (1987), The Player (1992), and Next (2007).

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of Peter Falk reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.

Genre Dominance: Drama

The majority of Peter Falk's filmography leans towards the Drama genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.

The "Box Office" Signature

With a 60% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Peter Falk remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Wings of Desire: The Angels Among Us, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best Peter Falk Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Peter Falk's career based on audience ratings.

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Peter Falk.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2020 My Darling Vivian Self (archive footage) Hit Similar →
2019 Peter Falk Versus Columbo Self (archive footage) Hit Similar →
2017 Arthur Miller: Writer Self (archive footage) Hit Similar →
2007 Next Irv Average Similar →
2006 Checking Out Morris Applebaum Hit Similar →
2005 The Thing About My Folks Sam Kleinman Average Similar →
2004 When Angels Come to Town Max Average Similar →
2004 Shark Tale Don Feinberg (voice) Average Similar →
2003 Finding John Christmas Max Average Similar →
2003 Wings of Desire: The Angels Among Us Self Super Hit Similar →
2002 Undisputed Mendy Ripstein Hit Similar →
2001 The Lost World Theo Kerr Average Similar →
2001 A Town Without Christmas Max Average Similar →
2001 Made Max Average Similar →
2001 Hubert's Brain Bailey (voice) Average Similar →
2000 A Constant Forge Self Hit Similar →
1997 Frank Capra's American Dream Self Average Similar →
1994 The World of Jim Henson Tramp (archive footage) Hit Similar →
1993 Anything for John Self Average Similar →
1993 Faraway, So Close! Peter Falk Hit Similar →
1992 The Player Peter Falk Hit Similar →
1987 The Princess Bride The Grandfather Super Hit Similar →
1987 Wings of Desire The Filmstar Super Hit Similar →
1982 Night of 100 Stars Self Hit Similar →
1981 The Great Muppet Caper Tramp Hit Similar →
1981 ...All the Marbles Harry Sears Average Similar →
1979 The In-Laws Vincent J. Ricardo Hit Similar →
1979 The Muppets Go Hollywood Self Average Similar →
1978 The Brink's Job Tony Pino Average Similar →
1978 Scared Straight! Narration (voice) Hit Similar →
1978 The Cheap Detective Lou Peckinpaugh Average Similar →
1977 Opening Night Self (uncredited) Super Hit Similar →
1976 Mikey and Nicky Mikey Hit Similar →
1976 Murder by Death Sam Diamond Hit Similar →
1974 A Woman Under the Influence Nick Longhetti Super Hit Similar →
1972 Ransom for a Dead Man Columbo Hit Similar →
1971 A Step Out of Line Harry Connors Hit Similar →
1970 Husbands Archie Black Hit Similar →
1969 Machine Gun McCain Charlie Adamo Average Similar →
1968 Prescription: Murder Columbo Super Hit Similar →
1966 Brigadoon Jeff Douglas Hit Similar →
1965 The Great Race Max Hit Similar →
1964 Attack and Retreat lieutenant Mario Hit Similar →
1964 Robin and the 7 Hoods Guy Gisborne Average Similar →
1963 It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World Third Cab Driver Hit Similar →
1962 Pressure Point Young Psychiatrist Hit Similar →
1961 Pocketful of Miracles Joy Boy Hit Similar →
1960 Murder, Inc. Abe Reles Average Similar →
1960 Pretty Boy Floyd Shorty Walters Average Similar →
1958 Wind Across the Everglades Writer Average Similar →

Peter Falk - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Peter Falk?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Peter Falk is "Wings of Desire: The Angels Among Us" with a rating of 8.3/10.

How many movies has Peter Falk acted in?

Peter Falk has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Peter Falk?

Other notable films include "Wings of Desire", "A Woman Under the Influence", and "Prescription: Murder".