“Columbo” star Peter Falk's daughter Jacqueline dies by suicide at 60
“Columbo” star Peter Falk's daughter Jacqueline dies by suicide at 60
Marina WattsWed, April 29, 2026 at 6:53 PM UTC
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Jacqueline Falk and Peter Falk in New York in 2002Credit: Walter McBride/Corbis via GettyKey Points -
Jacqueline Falk, the daughter of actor Peter Falk, has died by suicide at 60.
Despite her father's decades-spanning career, Jacqueline remained largely out of the spotlight.
Jacqueline's sister Catherine fought for legislation to be passed for children with ailing parents, inspired by their experience with their father's conservator.
Jacqueline Falk, the daughter of the late Columbo star Peter Falk, has died.
According to records from the Los Angeles Medical Examiner's Office reviewed by Entertainment Weekly, Jacqueline died on Monday, April 27 at a residence in Los Angeles. She was 60. The manner of death was ruled as a suicide.
The records indicate that the case remains open as an investigation into her death continues, and that her body had been released.
Jacqueline was one of two daughters that her father and and his first wife, Alyce Mayo, adopted. Jacqueline maintained a private life despite her father's decades-spanning career in Hollywood. She attended the 50th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards in 1998 with Peter, as well as the NBC 75th Anniversary celebration in New York in 2002.
Jacqueline Falk and Peter Falk in September 1998Credit: Margaret C. Norton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty
A four-time Emmy winner, Peter was known for his role as Lt. Columbo on the long-running cop drama Columbo and was a two-time Oscar nominee for his performances in Murder, Inc. and Pocketful of Miracles. His other acting credits include The Princess Bride, Murder by Death, The Great Race, and It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.
Peter's relationship with his daughters later in life became complicated. Jacqueline's sister, Catherine, filed a petition for a conservatorship to handle his business and personal affairs at the Los Angeles Superior Court after their father was diagnosed with dementia and Alzheimer's disease in 2008. Catherine alleged that Peter's second wife, Shera Danise Falk, was limiting his contact with his daughters.
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Shera was appointed conservator for Peter, and despite the conservatorship being in place, Catherine alleged that Shera continued to limit contact between Peter and his daughters. Catherine also alleged that Shera failed to notify her and Jacqueline when Peter died, having found out through the media. Shera also allegedly failed to inform Peter's daughters when he was buried.
Catherine fought to pass legislation called "Peter Falk's Law," which protects communication and visitation rights between ailing parents and their children. It was first passed in New York and other states have adopted similar legislation since.
The actor died in June 2011 at 83. "His daughters will always remember him for his wisdom and humor, time shared on vacations and hockey games, and for wild rides through the streets of Los Angeles with a one-eyed driver," Jacqueline and Catherine said in a statement at the time.
Alyce Mayo died in 2016. Jacqueline is survived by Catherine.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7.
on Entertainment Weekly
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