Peter Falk

Peter Falk and Paul Reiser star as father and son in the new film The Thing About My Folks. Reiser, who wrote the screenplay, based it partly on conversations with his own father. The well-traveled Falk remains best known for his role as Columbo; Reiser wrote and starred in the sitcom Mad about You.

Peter Falk, who was known for his portrayal of the disheveled and seemingly inept homicide detective Lt. Columbo, died on Thursday at age 83. Fresh Air remembers the actor with excerpts from a 1995 interview.

Falk is best known for his role as a rumpled L.A. detective in the TV series "Columbo," where he garnered three Emmy awards. He currently stars in the recently released film "Roommates," detailing the relationship between a grandfather and grandson.