Peter Falk admitted that one form of acting gave him an ''anxiety attack''

The year 1972 had its ups and down for the Columbo star.

The Everett Collection

In February 1972, Peter Falk was riding on a high. His new television series Columbo was garnering acclaim, viewers, and diehard fans. It's first season was wrapping up with an episode directed by Falk himself, "Blueprint for Murder." It was his first time sitting in the director's chair.

By that point in his career, the 44-year-old had two Oscar nominations and an Emmy Award to his name. As an actor, he was at the top of his game. But it might surprise you to learn that his profession still managed to him a new feeling — anxiety. 

At the time, Falk was living in New York City for a starring role on Broadway, in Neil Simon's play The Prisoner of Second Avenue. The production gave Falk his first-ever panic attack. It was such a new sensation, he wasn't even sure what was happening.

"I'll tell you how dumb I was," Falk admitted to the Chicago Tribune, "I never knew [anxiety attacks] existed." Which is even stranger when you realize Falk had to act out an anxiety attack a year or so earlier. In the 1970 film Husbands, Falk's character has an anxiety attack. Well, in the script.

"In Husbands I played an anxiety attack, but it was so bad [director] John [Cassavetes] had to throw it out," Falk confessed.

Stage fright was very real for Falk. Literal stage fright, from performing live in a theater. The seemingly simple act of memorizing three lines took Falk hours, as he failed to find sleep. He felt a "tingling in his neck." 

"Somebody must have [noticed] I was acting peculiarly because the stage manager suggested I take a valium," Falk said.

Because of this unpleasant experience, Falk swore off theater and Broadway. He said, "never again."

"I think the theater is designed for unrealistic plays, for stylized things," Falk remarked, dismissing the artform to his interviewer. "I like the camera, so I can talk like we're talking now."

True to his word, Falk had no further Broadway credits after that play. That's okay, he had Columbo's rumpled raincoat to keep him comfortable.

Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
Close

5 Comments

Pacificsun 32 months ago
Well those not suited to theater, the first complaint (or anxiety) is doing something live, with no chance to do it over. So usually (but not ALWAYS) it's easier for a theatrically trained actor to go to TV and movies, than reverse. UNLESS that actor really wants to try. But I've always heard that it's that direct connection with the theater audience that is so terrifying!
Jan 35 months ago
I had CP no idea C the Exceptional Actor, Perter Falk; appeared to be ever so self assured. I’m quite sorry he had “ Panic Attacks “ in Broadway and Theatre.
In the Series, Peter Falk Directed, I felt this Episode was on spot with his work on the past Colombo Series. What a wonderful Actor; he portrayed as the, “ bumbling “Lieutenant Colombo. Fine Acting !! May He Rest In Peace ✡️ 🌟🧡🌟🖤
Spiro 36 months ago
Check out Peter Falk and John Cassavetes in Mikey & Nicky.

Written and directed by Elaine May. (Mike Nichols & Elaine May)

High caliber acting! They play two small time gangsters who grew up together as kids. And how that childhood dynamic also plays out as adults.

Some parts are "Pitch Black Comedy". Very dark. Very funny.

Only they could bring May's vision to full fruition.
She shot over a million feet of film.

Their best acting together aside from Cassavetes films.
Or Columbo.

MeTv should run Johnny Staccato back to back with Peter Gunn.

Ok I'm done.
HulkFan02 36 months ago
I've had anxiety attacks like him sometimes
Deleted 36 months ago
This comment has been removed.
HulkFan02 36 months ago
Exactly
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?