Peter Falk, Actor, Dead at 83

Actor Peter Falk, who played the grandpa in The Princess Bride, has died at the age of 83.

Falk’s reps released a statement confirming his death to press:

“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.”

The rep continued, “Peter Falk is survived by his wife, Shera, of 34 years and two daughters from a previous marriage.”

Falk was also known for his titular role on the show Columbo. Later in his life, Falk was the subject of legal wrangling between his wife and daughter over who would control his affairs:

The actor suffered from advanced dementia that set on after a series of dental operations in 2007. In 2009, his wife, Shera, and daughter, Catherine, engaged in a legal tug-of-war over who should be in charge of his personal affairs; a judge ruled that Shera would retain control.

Peter Falk’s cause of death was not disclosed.