A statement released Friday by family friend Larry Larson says Falk died Thursday in his Beverly Hills home.
In a court document filed in December 2008, Falk's daughter Catherine Falk said her father was suffering from Alzheimer's disease.
"Columbo" began in 1971 as part of the NBC Sunday Mystery Movie series, appearing every third week.
Falk was born Sept. 16, 1927, in New York City and grew up in Ossining, N.Y., where his parents ran a clothing store. At 3 he had one eye removed because of cancer.
Falk was nominated for two Oscars and won five Emmys.
Falk is survived by his wife Shera and his two daughters.
