RIP: Peter Falk

Columbo star Peter Falk passed away last week after a long illness. The 83-year-old actor suffered from Alzheimer's disease and made headlines in later years as his daughter and wife battled over a conservatorship for the ailing thespian. A rep for the actor issued the following statement to 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. Peter Falk is survived by his wife, Shera, of 34 years and two daughters from a previous marriage." Falk earned four Emmys for his work on the hit TV show. Among the films he appeared in were The Princess Bride, Brigadoon and The Great Race. Falk's co-star John Finnegan said he was devastated by the sad news. He told TMZ, "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!" According to Radaronline.com, sources say that most of Falk's estate will go to wife Shera, "Peter left the bulk of his estate to Shera. The house that the two of them lived in together, art work, investment accounts, and more have been left to Shera. Peter also left an estimated six-figure inheritance to his two adopted daughters from his first marriage."