His daughter, Catherine Falk, is a private detective in real life.
His father was of Russian Jewish ancestry and his mother was of Polish Jewish, with a mix of Hungarian and Czech Jewish ancestry further back. So, contrary to Falk's public image, he is not an Italian but a mixture of very hardy Jewish Eastern European stock.
His remains were interred at Westwood Memorial Park in Westwood, Los Angeles, California upon his death.
His right eye was surgically removed at the age of three, because of cancer.
Honored as Knight of Arts and Letters by the Ministry of Culture of France; the medal was given to him by Gérard Depardieu in March 1996.
In 1961, he became the first actor nominated for an Oscar and an Emmy in the same year, receiving best supporting nominations for the movie Murder, Inc. (1960) and the TV show "The Law and Mr. Jones" (1960). He followed up in 1962 by being doubly nominated again for supporting actor for the movie Pocketful of Miracles (1961) and best actor (he won) for "The Price of Tomatoes," an episode of "The Dick Powell Theatre" (1961).
In his first foray into acting, he took the role of detective in a high school play when original student-actor fell sick. He left college to serve as a cook in the Merchant Marines. He later received political science degree from NY's New School, then graduated from Syracuse University. He applied at the CIA, but was turned down. He took state budget department job in Hartford, CT. Five years after he started taking acting lessons, he earned first Oscar nomination.
Is a close friend of Patrick McGoohan.
Lt. Columbo's first name is explicitly and even doggedly never revealed in the series (i.e. "What's your first name? Lieutenant...") However, with modern freeze-frame capabilities, when Columbo flashes his badge in the episode "Dead Weight" (Season 1 Episode 3), the name 'Frank' can clearly be seen on his ID. (If I can figure out how to post photo, I'll show the blow-up...).
Numerous press obits incorrectly stated that Falk won a 1972 Tony award for Best Actor in a play for Neil Simon's "The Prisoner of Second Avenue". As listed on a Tony Awards website search, Cliff Gorman won the 1972 Tony award for the play "Lenny". In addition, Falk was never nominated for a Tony in his career.
Once when he was playing in a Little League game, the umpire called him out. Falk thought that he was safe. He pulled his glass eye out of its socket and handed it to the umpire, telling him, "Here, I think you might need this."
One of his greatest passions is drawing and sketching; has studio on grounds of Beverly Hills estate.
President of his class.
Tested for the role of Ted Henderson in Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice (1969).
Underwent a series of major dental operations in 2007.
Wanted to join the Marines when he was seventeen, but was rejected because of his blind eye.
Was a certified public accountant.
When actors are required to move from one location to another during filming on a sound stage, the exact spot they are to move to is marked on the floor, usually with a piece of tape. This is to ensure that they stand in the area that is pre-set for the correct camera angle, lighting, sound, etc. Part of Falk's trademark behavior, as Columbo was out of necessity, as he pretended to scratch or touch his forehead over his left eye. In reality, he blocked the camera view of his good eye, so as he was looking down, he could locate the tape on the floor. That is how his trademark "pensive Columbo look" got its start.
Worked as an efficiency expert for the Budget Bureau of the state of Connecticut before becoming an actor. Studied acting with Eva Le Gallienne and Sanford Meisner.