It was all entirely his choice for initially the director and wardrobe staff were keen to kit him out in suit etc but he did not go for that image and made the Columbo persona up himself. He enjoyed a happy relationship with his wife, who often worked with him and he gives plenty of detail about his role in Columbo and how he came to be the dishevelled cop that he was. He particularly liked working with John Cassavetes both as director and actor and one of his favourite playwrights (and mine, too) was Neil Simon, who could always invoke a laugh whatever he did - vide 'The Odd Couple'! He was amused at Marlon Brando wearing an ear piece for all his films and he gives away the secret as to why that was - most interesting and how it worked is quite intriguing. He speaks well of most people in the industry who he has come into contact with and has many amusing stories to tell of them. His father was sceptical at first but once he had made the decision he never looked back and his father even got to like him being in the profession when the larger pay checks began to roll in! He goes on to say that he enjoyed drawing and painting, something he continued for much of his life, and adds that it took him 12 years to decide to become an actor. He begins by giving the story of the loss of his eye as a youngster but from then on he makes light of it, and even jokes about it. as well as being one of televisions most iconic and entertaining detectives. In an anecdotal manner Peter Falk relates tales of his early life and his subsequent life in the movies with a variety of humorous stories that show that he is a natural born story teller. The book does not purport to be an autobiography, merely a set of stories, and in this, it meets its goal. You learn he has 2 daughters through a photo.īut we learn that Falk is an adventurer, with a positive attitude who makes long term friends.

He talks fondly of two wives, the first one just vanishes from the text. His childhood is represented by a few high school tales. The reader will enjoy this time with Falk, but won't learn much about him personally.

Columbo, as we iconize him, is Falk's creation from the crumpled coat to the battered Peugeot. He named the talented actors and directors he's enjoyed working with and writes some interesting vignettes about Brando (never heard this before!), Dunaway, DiLaurentis and others. He's rejected jobs because the character wasn't real, and he got enthusiastic about scripts with a well constructed character. He tells how he re-wrote lines and found ad libs that worked better than the writers'. Falk has traveled widely and has had many unique adventures.Īs an actor Falk liked to develop his character along with writers and directors. There are signature illustrations that show talent in the visual arts. The understatement is deceptively intelligent. It has anecdotes with unexpected punchlines.

Just One More Thing by Peter Falk