14 DAY TRIAL // Peter Falk, better known as the fumbling but razor-sharp intelligent detective in the late ‘60s television series “Columbo,” no longer remembers the part that made him the idol of millions of viewers around the world. The actor suffers both from dementia and Alzheimer, and his estate is now disputed in court by his wife and daughter, as the Daily Express reveals.
Falk’s estate was put under a conservatorship just recently, after it emerged that he was no longer able to call the shots because of his condition. It is believed dementia was triggered in 2007 after a series of dental surgical interventions, although exactly what might have caused its onset is not yet known. Be that as it may, documents presented in the court the other day indicate that the 81-year-old actor no longer remembers the part and the series that brought him prominence, in what is a truly heartbreaking uncovering for his fans.
“The 81-year-old actor has advanced dementia and can’t even remember his role as the famous TV detective. His condition has led to a row between his daughter Catherine and his second wife of 30 years, Shera, over who should provide the care he needs. Catherine, 38, petitioned to take over her father’s affairs last year after claiming her stepmother refused to let her visit him.” the Daily Express says of the recent court hearing.
Evidence provided in court the other day has also shown that Falk was not close to Catherine, although she did claim they had reconciled in later years. Shera, on her part, insisted the actor never looked forward to meeting with his daughter, since they always ended up fighting and this upset him greatly. Pages of the actor’s personal diary and postcards were presented to the judge by both camps to show that the other side had the story wrong.
In the end, a conclusion was reached in that daughter Catherine would be allowed supervised visits (but not by stepmother Shera) on neutral ground – visits that Peter Falk will not remember as well. The actor is currently under Shera’s care at the Beverly Hills mansion they shared as husband and wife, which has been especially re-designed to allow for 24-hour care.