On an episode of Inside the Actor’s Studio James Lipton gave him that poll he gives everybody that ends with the question “If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you get there?”
Falk had my favorite answer:
“What’d you pay for them shoes?”
Hearing about this today and reading this thread has had me smiling, laughing, and literally shedding more than a few tears. I kinda think that says it all.
That’s alright, Max. I’ll push the button now. 
Falk probably kept it. It was his own raincoat to begin with.
Don’t remember where I read it (or maybe saw it on a “behind-the-scenes” clip) but there was a whole rack, had to be at least 20, of identical coats (all with tea stains and other grime) in the show’s wardrobe department.
A fine actor, a great comic, and an all-around class act. We’ll miss you, Mr. Falk.
Truly a sad day. Peter Falk was wonderful.
Oh, and my condolences to Mrs. Columbo.
I’m pretty sure I saw one in the Smithsonian.
According to Wiki, Gorbachev has a cameo in the sequel.
Probably replicas made by the wardrobe department. According to Wikipedia, he supplied all of his own clothes for Columbo’s wardrobe, including the trenchcoat.
He was also my favorite TV lawyer show star…I first discovered him in “The Law and Mr. Jones.” And I loved him in the Burt Lancaster film “Castle Keep.” He did so many things so well.
This would support your version: Love That Raincoat
Here’s even more fun on the coat:
I will forever hate ABC for not giving us the last Columbo movie.
RIP indeed.
Besides Lt Columbo (“the first name is lieutenant” as he told one suspect), he was memorable as gangster Abe “Kid Twist” Reles in “Murder, Inc”.
One final tribute…the Columbo meets Alias spoof he did a few years ago.
The CNN obit says he lost his eye because of a childhood operation, but it also says he served in the military (presumably during World War II). Did the U.S. military really take one-eyed men during that period?
The sequel to Wings of Desire is Faraway, So Close! (In Weiter Ferne, So Nah!). Falk has a bigger role in that one, which mentions his career as an artist as well - his thoughts reveal that he knows he’s only being shown because he’s a famous actor. Gorbachev does, indeed, have a brief cameo at the start. Personally, I like it better than the first one - it’s my favorite film of all time - though I know most disagree.
I never got to see Columbo, but Murder By Death is one of the funniest movies of all time, and Sam Diamond was my favorite character of them all…
“Freeze, Winky”
“Why can’t you fall in love with the Jap kid and leave me alone?”
Great movie, first one I netflixed.