(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Columbo actor Peter Falk has died at the age of 83.

The stage, television and movie star enjoyed a career which spanned 30 years. A statement released by family friend Larry Larson announced that Falk had passed away peacefully on Thursday evening at his home in Beverly Hills.

In 2008, the American actor's daughter Catherine Falk revealed in a court document that her father had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. He was also reportedly suffering from dementia.

Falk was best known for his role as the squinting, rumpled detective Columbo in the popular American crime series. The laidback character usually wore a raincoat, smoked a cigar and tended to use the catchphrase, "One more thing..."

The television show first hit screens in 1971 as part of the NBC Mystery Movie series and went on to enjoy success around the world.

Falk won four Emmy Awards for his role as Lieutenant Columbo who never revealed his first name - with the show running on and off until 2003.

"He looks like a flood victim," Falk once said of the character. "You feel sorry for him. He appears to be seeing nothing, but he's seeing everything. Underneath his dishevelment, a good mind is at work."

He also received Oscar nominations in the 1960s for Murder, Inc. And Pocketful of Miracles. His last big screen outing was in 2009 movie American Cowslips and he also appeared in The Princess Bride.

Falk- who was born in New York City - is survived by his wife Shera and his two daughters Catherine and Jackie. (C) Cover Media