NEWS - Happy Birthday, Columbus! Peter Falk turned 80 years old (who gives him a new raincoat?) (ANSAmed) - ROME, SEPTEMBER 9 - I wonder 'as was' the man who ate his hands, for an audition at the beginning of the career of Peter Falk, said:'' Young man, for the same money we can get an actor with two eyes.'' On September 16, Lieutenant Colombo, with that particular gaze, he turned eighty. Only son of a Polish and a Russian Longhetti Nick, aka Peter Michael Falk was born in New York on 16 September 1927, of course. At the age 'of three years he was diagnosed with cancer and that's why his right eye is replaced with a prosthesis. Almost a lucky charm, as Peter Falk still continues to accompany viewers. (With regard to the Italian public, usually the appointment with Columbus and 'set for Sunday). Actor since high school, where the chance would you cimentasse in the role of investigator, Falk began working as a cook for the Merchant Navy and then became, after graduating from Syracuse University, an efficient consultant to the state budget of Connecticut. Sitting behind a desk, but 'not excited like being on a stage and then in 1955 he made his debut on Broadway. Two years later he turns in his first Hollywood film, "The Paradise of the barbarians, " by Nicholas Ray. The next two roles he plays makes him a candidate for an Oscar. For Syndicate Killers Burt Balaban and Stuart Rosenberg's 1960 nomination for Best Actor, while for Pocketful of Miracles by Frank Capra received the Best Actor in a Supporting Role. ", " Naked city ", " Gli Intoccabili ", " Ai confini della realtà ". But the face of Falk also like where he began working in television in series such as "Alfred Hitchcock pr exempts", "Naked City", "The Untouchables, " "The Twilight Zone". ". The fame 'real' one that gives him '"Colombo". It 's the American channel NBC to broadcast in February 1968, the first episode. Since then, the story of the famous lieutenant, on board his Peugeot 403, investigates the crimes of high society 'New York and always mentions his beloved wife (never seen the show), Falk apply to an avalanche of Emmy nominations. So much fame ', which also investigates Colombo with Mickey, in a comic strip published in February of 1973. Removed the old raincoat of Lieutenant, Falk does not forget the cinema, giving evidence of skill with directors such as John Cassavates, for whom he works in "Husbands" in 1970, "A Wife" in 1974 and "Opening Night" in 1977. Also popular for his brilliant performance in several comedies. One for all: "Invitation to Murder by Death" in 1976. In the '80s, Falk from 'the best in you, in comedy, fantasy movies like "The Princess Bride" by Rob Reiner, and art films as "The sky above Berlin", tagged Wim Wenders in 1987, inspired by the poems by Rainer Maria Rilke. Then come in 1992, "The Player" by Robert Altman in 1993 and another feature film with Wim Wenders, "Cosi 'so far' near." In 2001 Peter Falk spoke ironically about the stereotype of the Mafia boss in "Corky Romano - Agent of second hand" by Rob Pritts and participates in the same year, the thriller directed by Dario Argento "I did not sleep." In 2004, Falk received the Golden Plaque of David by Donatello. Now, in the year of his eighties, with the same look of all time and with a few more gray hairs', Peter Falk returns to the big screen with a meaningful title, "Thing About My Folks", directed by Reymond De Felitta. The plot? The discovery of a life absolutely crazy, of course.