Peter Falk Dies at Age 83
Columbo Star Battled Alzheimer's Disease
Daughter Sought Conservatorship
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Columbo star Peter Falk's daughter says the Emmy-winning actor is suffering from Alzheimer's disease.
Catherine Falk is seeking a court's approval for a conservatorship, according to a court document she filed Thursday.
The document states that Falk, 83, has become incompetent and is not capable of making informed decisions about his personal and financial affairs.
Falk played the lead role in the 1970s detective series Columbo, in which he portrayed a rumpled, cigar-smoking detective who solved crimes with his disarming demeanor and sharp wit.
Falk won four Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award for his role as Columbo.
He has also appeared in films such as "The Princess Bride" and "The Great Race."
In recent years, Falk has had several health problems, including a heart attack in 2007.
Falk's daughter said in her court filing that she has noticed a decline in her father's health and mental capacity over the past few years.
She said that he has become increasingly forgetful and confused, and that he has difficulty making decisions.
Falk's daughter said that she is seeking a conservatorship to protect him from harm and to ensure that his affairs are managed properly.
A hearing on Falk's conservatorship petition is scheduled for January 15.
Falk's death is a reminder of the devastating effects of Alzheimer's disease, which is a progressive neurological disorder that affects memory, thinking, and behavior.
There is no cure for Alzheimer's disease, but there are treatments that can help to slow its progression and improve the quality of life for those who live with it.
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