The Untold Struggles of Peter Falk Behind Columbo's Smile

Millions of Americans remember Peter Falk as the unforgettable detective Columbo, the rumpled, cigar-holding investigator who always seemed one step behind until he revealed that he had understood everything all along. But behind the familiar raincoat and gentle smile was a man whose personal life included extraordinary challenges and painful family struggles.

Falk was only three years old when doctors discovered a serious tumor in his right eye. Surgery saved his life, but he lost the eye and wore a glass replacement for the rest of his life. Rather than allowing this childhood hardship to define his future, he pursued acting and eventually became one of television’s most recognizable stars.

Yet professional success did not protect him from heartbreak. As he grew older, complicated family relationships and declining health brought difficulties that contrasted sharply with the warmth audiences associated with his famous character.