Peter Falk Dead -- 'Columbo' Star Dies at 83
'Columbo' Star Peter Falk Dies
Peter Falk -- star of the TV show "Columbo" -- died last night ... TMZ has learned.
Falk -- who suffered from Alzheimer's disease -- was 83.
A rep for the family tells TMZ, "Peter Falk, 83-year-old Academy Award nominee and star of television series, 'Columbo', died peacefully at his Beverly Hills home in the evening of June 23, 2011."
The rep continued, "Peter Falk is survived by his wife, Shera, of 34 years and two daughters from a previous marriage."
In addition to "Columbo," Falk starred in "Princess Bride," "Brigadoon" and "The Great Race."
Peter's wife, Shera and daughter Catherine were locked in a legal battle in 2009 over the creation of a conservatorship for Peter and who would control it. In the end, the judge appointed Shera conservator.
UPDATE: John Finnegan -- Falk's "Columbo" co-star -- tells TMZ, he fell literally FELL DOWN when heard the news ... “I have known Peter for over 60 years ... He was like a brother for me, he kept the food on the table. He was the best, great!"
