Well, dang. The one and only Peter Falk has thrown the rumpled coat into the Peugeot and trundled off into the sunset:

The best way to celebrate Peter Falk’s life is to savor how Columbo, his signature character, fortified our lives.

Thanks to Falk’s affectionately genuine portrayal, Lt. Columbo established himself for all time as a champion of any viewer who ever felt less than graceful, elegant or well-spoken.

Falk died Thursday at age 83 in his Beverly Hills, Calif., home, according to a statement released Friday by family friend Larry Larson. But Columbo lives on as the shining ideal of anyone with a smudge on his tie, whose car isn’t the sportiest, who often seems clueless, who gets dissed by fancy people.

Well said.

Thanks for the memories, Peter Falk, and for all the great roles (Wings of Desire and Tune in Tomorrrow come to mind quickly). Sincere condolences to family and friends from all of us here at the BRI.

Update: Columbo’s favorite Columbos.

And some of Falk’s wonderful drawings.