Net Worth Ranker
What Was Peter Falk’s Net Worth?
At the time of his death in June 2011, Peter Falk, the celebrated American actor, producer, director, and writer, had a net worth of $5 million. This figure represents the culmination of a long and varied career spanning stage, film, and television.
Peter Falk’s Earnings From Columbo and Other Acting Roles
Peter Falk’s most iconic role was undoubtedly as Lieutenant Columbo in the NBC/ABC crime drama “Columbo” (1968–1978; 1989–2003). This role not only cemented his place in television history but also significantly contributed to his wealth. At the peak of the show’s popularity in the late 1970s, Falk was earning $300,000 per episode. Adjusted for inflation, this is equivalent to approximately $750,000 per episode in today’s money. Over the course of its run, “Columbo” aired 69 episodes across 10 seasons, providing Falk with a substantial and consistent income stream.
Beyond “Columbo,” Falk’s extensive filmography also played a crucial role in building his net worth. He appeared in over 100 films, each contributing to his overall earnings. Some of his notable film credits include “Murder Inc.” (1960), “Pocketful of Miracles” (1962), “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World” (1963), “Murder by Death” (1976), “The In-Laws” (1979), “The Great Muppet Caper” (1981), “The Princess Bride” (1987), “Made” (2001), “Corky Romano” (2001), and “The Thing About My Folks” (2005). Each of these roles, along with numerous guest appearances on television series such as “The Dick Powell Theatre” (1962–1963), “Ben Casey” (1964), and “The Trials of O’Brien” (1965–1966), added to his income.
Furthermore, Falk’s work extended to Broadway, where he performed in productions such as “Saint Joan” (1956), “Diary of a Scoundrel” (1956), “The Iceman Cometh” (1956–1957), “The Passion of Josef D.” (1964), and “The Prisoner of Second Avenue” (1971–1973). While Broadway salaries are typically lower than film or television, these performances contributed to his overall career earnings and recognition.
Peter Falk’s Real Estate Holdings
In 2000, Peter Falk and his wife, Shera Danese, purchased a home in Malibu for $1.6 million. This property was later sold by Shera in 2019 for $3.18 million, demonstrating a significant appreciation in value over the years. This real estate investment was a notable component of Falk’s overall asset portfolio.
At the time of his death in 2011, Peter Falk and Shera resided in a mansion located in Beverly Hills. While the exact purchase price of this property is not publicly available, its estimated value is between $12 million and $14 million. This substantial property represents a significant portion of Falk’s estate and reflects his success in the entertainment industry.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Peter Michael Falk was born on September 16, 1927, in The Bronx, New York, to Michael Falk and Madeline Hochhauser. His father owned a dry goods and clothing store, while his mother worked as an accountant. Falk’s upbringing in Ossining, New York, provided the foundation for his later success. He attended Ossining High School, where he was active in sports and served as senior class president, demonstrating early leadership qualities.
After graduating from high school in 1945, Falk initially enrolled at Hamilton College but soon sought to join the armed services. Due to the surgical removal of his right eye at the age of three, he was rejected by the armed services but was accepted into the United States Merchant Marine. He served over a year with the Merchant Marines, working as a mess boy and cook. Following his time with the Merchant Marines, he briefly returned to college before pursuing further education, earning a bachelor’s degree in political science and literature from The New School for Social Research in 1951 and a Master of Public Administration degree from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School in 1953.
While working as a management analyst with Hartford’s Connecticut State Budget Bureau, Falk discovered his passion for acting through his involvement with the local theater group, the Mark Twain Masquers. He participated in plays such as “The Crucible” and “The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial” and further honed his skills by studying acting with Eva Le Gallienne at the White Barn Theatre. This early exposure to theater led him to leave his government job and pursue acting full-time. Eva Le Gallienne provided him with a letter of recommendation to the William Morris Agency in New York, marking a significant step in his professional acting career.
In 1956, Falk moved to Greenwich Village and began his career in Broadway productions. His television debut came in 1957 with an episode of “Robert Montgomery Presents,” and his first film role was in 1958’s “Wind Across the Everglades.” These early roles marked the beginning of his extensive and varied acting career, setting the stage for his future success.
Career Highlights and Awards
Peter Falk received two Academy Award nominations for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his performances in “Murder, Inc.” (1961) and “Pocketful of Miracles” (1962). Although he did not win an Oscar, these nominations recognized his talent and contributed to his rising profile in Hollywood.
Falk was nominated for 12 Primetime Emmy Awards, winning five. His Emmy wins included Outstanding Single Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role for “The Dick Powell Theatre” (1962), and Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Series (1972), Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series (1975), Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (1976 and 1990) for “Columbo.” These awards acknowledged his outstanding contributions to television and significantly enhanced his reputation.
He also received a Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Performer in a Children’s Special for “A Storm in Summer” in 2001. Of his ten Golden Globe nominations, he won Best TV Actor – Drama for “Columbo” in 1973. These accolades demonstrate the broad recognition of his acting skills across different genres and platforms.
“Columbo” earned Falk two Bambi Awards for TV Series International (1976 and 1993), two TP de Oro (Spain) awards for Best Foreign Actor (1975 and 1978), a TV Land Award nomination for Favorite “Casual Friday” Cop (2005), and two People’s Choice Award nominations for Favorite Male TV Performer (1990 and 1991). These awards highlight the international appeal and enduring popularity of “Columbo” and Falk’s portrayal of the iconic detective.
Falk was inducted into the Online Film & Television Association TV Hall of Fame in the Actors and Actresses category in 2006, and Columbo was inducted in the Character category in 2021. He received Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Florida Film Festival (2005), Method Fest (2003), and Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival (2000). He was also named the Golden Apple Awards’ Male Star of the Year in 1972 and the Hasty Pudding Theatricals’ Man of the Year in 1974. In 2004, he won a Golden Plate at the David di Donatello Awards. In 2013, he posthumously received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Personal Life and Final Years
Peter Falk’s personal life included two marriages. He married Alyce Mayo on April 17, 1960, after meeting her at Syracuse University. They adopted two daughters, Jackie and Catherine. Catherine later became a private investigator. Peter and Alyce divorced in 1976.
On December 7, 1977, Falk married actress Shera Danese, who appeared in six episodes of “Columbo” between 1976 and 1997. Their relationship lasted until his death in 2011.
In addition to his acting career, Falk was also an artist. In October 2006, the Butler Institute of American Art hosted an exhibition of his drawings, showcasing his talent beyond acting. He had studied at the Art Students League of New York, indicating a serious commitment to his artistic pursuits.
Peter Falk was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2008. In 2009, Dr. Stephen Read testified at a conservatorship trial that Falk’s dementia had rapidly worsened since late 2007, following a series of dental operations. As a result, Shera Danese was appointed as his conservator, managing his personal and financial affairs.
Peter Falk passed away at his Beverly Hills home on June 23, 2011, at the age of 83. The primary cause of death was pneumonia, with complications from Alzheimer’s disease as an underlying factor. He was buried at L.A.’s Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery, with his tombstone inscribed, “I’m not here, I’m home with Shera.”
Following his death, a dispute arose between his widow, Shera, and his daughter Catherine, who alleged that Shera had restricted family visits and failed to inform them of critical health updates. Catherine also stated that she and her sister learned of their father’s death from media reports and their attorney, and that Shera buried him without notifying them. This led to the passage of “Peter Falk’s Law” in New York in 2015, providing specific guidelines for guardians and conservators regarding visitation rights and end-of-life notices. Similar laws have since been adopted in over 15 other states.
Years before his Alzheimer’s diagnosis, Peter Falk established trusts to manage his estate upon his death. The bulk of his estate was left to his widow, Shera Danese, ensuring her financial security.
