Peter Falk...Memories of a kind-hearted actor! Oh, just one more thing!

I, along with many others in the industry, was saddened by the news that well-respected actor - Peter Falk - passed to spirit over the weekend.

Mr. Falk was best-known for his delightful characterization of "Detective Columbo" which he fleshed out with distinctive style on the long-running highly-rated drama series.

However, Falk was also blessed with a remarkable multi-faceted career which spanned several decades.

In one of his early television appearances (a just-blossoming medium) Falk drew rave notices (and snapped up his 1st Emmy Award) for an off-beat portrayal of a truck driver on the ever-popular "Dick Powell Show".

The compassionate actor, born in New York City in 1927, was quite adept on the boards also.

On the heels of being cast as a bartender in "The Iceman Cometh" - talent scouts took notice - and there was no looking back for the humble thespian.

Shortly thereafter - two plum roles in the medium of film landed him Oscar nominations for Best Supporting Actor - "Murder, Inc." and "A Pocketful of Miracles" respectively.

But, "Columbo" was the character that made the reluctant star a household name around the country.

While the weekly mystery series was in production, I was cast in a cameo role for one episode which featured a plot line that focused on the fascinating realm of the paranormal and a charlatan who used smoke-and-mirrors to commit a murder.

On the set one day, I half-turned, and found myself face-to-face with the rumpled "persona" of Detective Columbo.

I tell 'ya, that was quite a memorable experience, for a fledgling actor to experience.

Mr. Falk possessed a magnetic "aura" which spoke volumes.

Falk fondly relayed his feelings about the Columbo character recently in a heartfelt interview.

"I love him. He's eccentric, oblivious to the impression he makes on people. His obsessiveness is hidden by his graciousness. He has a sly sense of humor, is by nature polite and totally devoid of pretension."

The last two years of his life, Falk suffered from Alzheimer's disease and dementia, which triggered a couple of legal skirmishes in the courts with family members in the inner circle.

In 2009, the court granted a request by his wife to maintain control of his personal care and professional affairs.

According to public records, Mr. Falk was 83 years old when he left this mortal coil.

When God created Falk, he broke the mould.

The talented performer will be missed!

Peace Perfect Peace.

http://www.thetattler.biz

Jay Leno...Does he really have a wife? A mysterious foil...

In the popular detective show - Columbo - Peter Falk's character was inclined to engage in small talk about his wife at a pivotal point in the plot line during the run of the show.

More often that not, the Missus offered up a piece of information - or uttered up an astute observation - that egged him on to better understand the intriques of the criminal mind - and to eventually solve the crime.

But, I don't recall ever catcing a glimpse of her!

I actully acted on the weekly TV series in the capacity of a bit part - in which I played a Military man - taking a tour of a facility that conducted experiments on the paranormal and a myriad of psychic phenomenon.

At one point, I turned to my left in the scene, and was startled to encounter Peter Falk staring intently into my eyes.

To capture an up-close glimpse of his face - a sort-of battered-in well-lived one - was quite a remarkable experence that will remain deeply etched in the memory banks of my mind.

Tonight, when Jay Leno mentioned his wife, I immediately flashed back to that precious moment.

Then, it suddenly occured to me, that Jay Leno often referred to his wife on the Tonight Show.

But, have we ever seen hide-or-tail of her?

Not moi!

Last night, Leno noted that he and his wife were recently preparing to attend a screening, when she pestered him about whether there was a lot of blood, and guts, and gore in the movie.

"My wife hates that," he confided in so many words.

It struck me - that like Columbo - Jay has often affectionately mentioned his better half.

Does she really exist, or is she just an imaginary foil, fathomed up to fascilitate a punch line?

Inquiring minds want to know!

http://www.julianayrs.com/

Car wash...to the stars! U R what U drive in LA LA LAND!

In Los Angeles your status is dictated by the kind of vehicle you zip around town in.

Sad, but true!

Makes sense, then, that when you pull up in front of "The Villa" - and a swarm of ravenous paparazzi descend on 'ya - that your Beamer, Benz, or boxy Volvo gleams under the light of the silvery moon.

God forbid you should be busted for a DUI in a late model sedan with a nick or two in the door and a swirl of dead leaves decaying beneath the windshield wipers.

At Santa Palm Car Wash in West Hollywood, a crew of uniformed experts is prepared to slap that auto into tip-top shape, but the detailing will cost you extra!

First time I heard the term - "detailing" - I shook my head.

Say what?

It's an anal retentive's ideal approach to a "car wash" - with an emphasis on painstaking nerve-racking attention - to the essential nitty-gritty. At Santa Palm, for instance, a gang of veritable whiz kids add sparkle to the chrome grill, luster to the interior headrests, and a dash of spit-and-polish to set off those hub-caps.

Yeah, no crevice, crack, or crawl space goes unchecked!

In a nutshell, it's a Hollywood-style fancy-smantzy way to extract a few extra bucks from the tony elite!

But, Santa Palm Car Wash stands out from the others - if only for its celebrated clientele - who swear by the foo-foo experience.

In fact, many of the glittering elite snap up a glossy still from their portfolio before they head out to the popular scrub joint, sign a heartfelt note to "Sam" (the owner), then mingle among the other notables out front as the minions work magic on their precious glide mobiles.

In the old days - when I first sauntered into Tinsel town with stars in my eyes - quite a few of the local merchants were inclined to tack up a dog-eared publicity still or two at the entrance of their establishment.

It was great for stirring up a bit of idle chit-chat - and a much-needed distraction - as the customers lolled about and waited patiently for the cashier to rustle up the dry cleaning or discreetly pack up and tally the liquor tab.

At Santa Palm the tradition is a class act!

At "Sam's", each keepsake is a veritable treasure; framed under pressed glass on a custom-made wall that stretches all along one side of the scrubbing paraphernalia.

The collection is quite amazing and includes: a dashing Dudley Moore astride a pristine Roll Royce; a perky Shirley Jones beaming a winning smile (a dead moth managed to settle inside the frame of her mug shot, somehow); a faded shot of Ann Miller (with a boa constricting her); a chubby-faced Rock Hudson lookin' a little worse for wear (must have been in the "McMillan and Wife days". That catered food will pack on the pounds, fer sure!), and one of my faves, actress Ann Gillian (I acted in "This Wife for Hire" with the sexy talented woman a few years back).

In addition to the actors, mixed in for good measure, are a handful of celebs from the music biz; The Temptations, in a snazzy band shot; Kiss, dolled up in a ghoulish, signature get-up; Cher, with her foot resting on a barbell, of all things (must have been in the days when she was into bagel boys, I guess); and Edgar Winter caressing his horn.

Some photos are faded, others poorly lit. A few are slick and professional, with the names of Managers and Agents stylishly etched on the edges, for easy reference. 'Ya never know, the exposure may land a bookin'.

On occasion, the personalities peer out like old friends from the past; for example, Sally Struthers posing in her thin days; gorgeous Farrah Fawcett enticing gawkers with a publicity still taken at the height of her poster power (when teen-age boys pined for her as a Charlie's Angel); Jimmy Connors spinning a winning ball; while a weathered mug of Columbo comforts, as he tokes on a crusty cigar.

















Holy cheese whiz, Batman! There's Robin in his kitschy get-up, too.

So many stars in the great firmament.

And a mug or two that faded away into oblivion.

Maybe memory doesn't serve me well, but there appears to be a face - and a name or two - that just don't jangle any bells.

Don Blanton? Blair Ashley? And who the heck is the male fitness model - with just one name - Sebastian?

Speaking of one name-wonders...Angelina didn't make the cut, doesn't grace the wall; but, Fabio does - go figure!

Yup, pecker - um - pec power goes a long way in Tinsel town.

Ah, all the stars that never were, are pumping gas and parking cars?

Then, there are the "Tony Orlandos", plugging weight-loss programs for suburbanites, waiting for the fickle finger of fate to turn around.

Heh, come backs are big in Hollywood.

Hold on to that memorabilia; it may be worth big bucks one day!