Kevin Pollak Jokes He Was Once 'Accosted' by Peter Falk at the Grocery Store About His 'Columbo' Impression (Exclusive)
Pollak — who is known for his stellar impressions — recently spoke to PEOPLE exclusively while attending the premiere of the new show Nine Bodies in a Mexican Morgue in Culver City, Calif. During the conversation, Pollak revealed that Falk once 'accosted' him in a grocery store in order to compliment his impression of him.
'Oh, he loved it,' Pollak, 67, recalled, adding, 'After the first time I did it on The Tonight Show, I ran into him a few weeks later in the produce section at Ralphs where he accosted me in front of the produce with, 'Excuse me: How do you do that with your eye? Me, I understand, but how do you do that?' That's a quote. And we became friendly from that moment on, and he was a hero and a unicorn in every regard.'
Falk, who died in 2011 at the age of 83, per The New York Times, famously had a glass eye, which became a signature trait of his detective character.
Pollak went on to say that he has been 'very lucky' in that all of the people he has impersonated in his 40-year career — from William Shatner to Christopher Walken — have seemed to enjoy the experience.
'I really did people that I loved and admired as opposed to feeling the need to attack. And I've spent time with everyone from Shatner to Christopher Walken to Alan Arkin, and I just did a two-hour interview on stage in San Francisco with Albert Brooks — my ultimate comedy unicorn hero — and he loves the impression. And Peter absolutely adored it. So yeah, I've been very, very lucky.'
Related: Daughter Claims Peter Falk Has Alzheimer's
Pollak — who worked with 2025 Oscar nominees Demi Moore and Mikey Madison in A Few Good Men and the series Better Things, respectively — also weighed in on which actress he hopes to see take home the Academy Award for best actress this year.
The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!
'It's difficult for me because I played the uncle to Mikey Madison in Better Things. And so I'm a tad torn, but [...] I believe, especially now that I've seen Mikey in Anora, that there are maaaany brilliant performances ahead of her, and she's already won so many awards. So let's give the Oscar to Demi,' he concluded.
Pollak went on to recall his time on set with Moore in the now-iconic 1992 military courtroom drama, which also starred Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson, noting that The Substance actress was a caretaker to everyone around her.
Related: Demi Moore Recalls Studio Executive Wanted Her and Tom Cruise to Have a Sex Scene in A Few Good Men
'That movie for me was being brought up to the majors, and I was rooting for everyone in such a big way. And what I was surprised and delighted and adored Demi for what a mother hen she was to everyone, cast and crew. Just lovely.'
Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Pollak also revealed to PEOPLE that he is a part of one of Hollywood's most delightful unofficial clubs: The Character Actors Dining Society (CADS), which also includes the likes of fellow character actors Richard Kind and Steven Weber, as well as about 10 other performers. He shared that in addition to a group chat, the crew attempts to meet up for in-person dinners once a month.
'It's a great group with great stories. It's really the heart and soul of the group — and having each other's backs,' he added.
Read the original article on People
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time Magazine
2 hours ago
- Time Magazine
Tributes Pour In for Actor Terence Stamp
'My only regrets,' the Oscar-nominated British actor Terence Stamp once said, 'are the films that I passed on because I was fearful.' Stamp, who was best known for starring as the villain General Zod in Superman (1978) and Superman II (1980), has often called turning down the lead role in the 1967 Oscar-winning movie adaptation of Broadway hit Camelot—because he wasn't confident in his ability to sing—his biggest regret. But the actor, who died Sunday at age 87, took on no shortage of fearless roles later in his career and even got the opportunity to overcome his trepidation about singing onscreen when he starred in the 2012 film Song for Marion, earning a Best Actor nomination at the British Independent Film Awards for his portrayal of a widower in a seniors' choir. Stamp's family confirmed his death in a statement to Reuters, saying that he 'leaves behind an extraordinary body of work, both as an actor and as a writer that will continue to touch and inspire people for years to come.' Described by the Guardian as the 'seductive dark prince of British cinema,' Stamp had a film career that spanned decades. He was also a prolific writer, authoring five memoirs as well as a fiction novel and co-authoring two cookbooks. 'Terence was kind, funny, and endlessly fascinating,' said Edgar Wright, who directed Stamp in the 2021 film Last Night in Soho, in an Instagram tribute to the late actor. 'Terence was a true movie star: the camera loved him, and he loved it right back.' Bill Duke, who acted alongside Stamp in Steven Soderbergh's 1999 film The Limey, posted on Facebook that Stamp 'brought a rare intensity to the screen' but 'carried himself with warmth, grace, and generosity' off-screen. Stamp's artistry, Duke said, 'left an indelible mark on cinema, and his spirit will live on through the unforgettable characters he gave us.' Billy Budd and (almost) James Bond Stamp was born on July 22, 1938, in the Stepney area of London's East End. He was one of five children. According to the British Film Institute (BFI), Stamp's interest in acting began after his mother took him to a local cinema to watch the 1939 film Beau Geste, though his father, a merchant navy stoker, had encouraged him to pursue something more practical. "When I asked for career guidance at school, they recommended bricklaying as a good, regular job, although someone did think I might make a good Woolworths manager,' Stamp told British newspaper the Independent in 2011. After studying on scholarship at the Webber Douglas School of Dramatic Art, according to the BFI, Stamp would first tour in repertory theater. He appeared in a 1960 episode of the BBC series Spy-Catcher, according to his IMDb profile, but he first gained global prominence after portraying an 18th-century seaman in the film adaptation of Herman Melville's novel Billy Budd in 1962. That drama directed by Peter Ustinov earned him an Academy Award nomination as well as a Golden Globe Award for 'New Star Of The Year.' Throughout the 1960s, Stamp worked with renowned British filmmakers like Ken Loach and John Schlesinger as well as Italians like Federico Fellini and Pier Paolo Pasolini. Stamp earned fame not only for his work, but also for his high-profile romances during that decade, including with supermodel Jean Shrimpton and actor Julie Christie. At one point, Stamp was even considered to be the next James Bond after Sean Connery, though he said in a 2013 interview with the London Evening Standard that he scared the filmmakers behind the popular spy franchise with his ideas for how to make the role his own. But just as Stamp felt he was entering his prime, work started to dry up. Stamp recalled to the Guardian in 2015 his agent telling him when he was only 31 or 32 that the movie studios were all 'looking for a young Terence Stamp.' 'When the 60s ended, I almost did too,' he said. In 1969, Stamp moved to an ashram in India. 'I thought I'm not going to stay around here facing this day-in-day-out rejection and the phone not ringing,' he told the BFI in 2013, looking back on that period in his life. General Zod and The Adventures of Priscilla Stamp was in India when he received a now-famous telegram addressed to 'Clarence Stamp' that would lead to his most recognized role of his career. It was an invitation to meet with director Richard Donner to join the ensemble cast, including Christopher Reeve and Marlon Brando, of a blockbuster adaptation of DC comic Superman. Stamp received widespread acclaim for his portrayal of the Kryptonian villain General Zod in the 1978 film and its 1980 sequel and said in 2013 that he 'can't go out on the street in London without somebody saying, 'It's Zod!'' Sarah Douglas, who played fellow villain Ursa in the films, remembered the late Stamp on Instagram as 'beyond gorgeous and talented,' adding: 'What a start to my career to have spent so many months in his company.' Stamp told BFI that the 'great blessing' of this next phase of his career was that he'd been 'transmuted from a leading man to a character actor.' Throughout the decades that followed, he was praised by critics for his performances, particularly in crime thrillers The Hit (1984) and The Limey (1999). But he appeared in a multitude of genres, and many consider his star turn in the 1994 Australian film The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, to be a standout example of his creativity and dedication to his craft. Departing from his traditionally hardman roles, Stamp portrayed transgender woman Bernadette alongside co-stars Hugo Weaving and Guy Pearce as drag queens. The endearing comedy became a cult classic, and Stamp earned his second BAFTA and Golden Globe nominations for his performance. 'You were a true inspiration, both in & out of heels,' Pearce posted on X after Stamp's passing. Stamp's work would continue on in the 2000s and 2010s, with roles in films like The Adjustment Bureau, Valkyrie, Big Eyes, and the movie adaptation of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. Before Stamp's passing, Priscilla director Stephan Elliott told the Guardian last year that Stamp was slated to return with Weaving and Pearce for a sequel, with a script already finished. Elliott described Stamp to the Guardian as someone who had left a lasting impression on him since he first saw Stamp in 1965 thriller The Collector. 'Terence's greatest beauties were his eyes—in some of the early films you don't see it, but in person, when they were shining, he could hold a room,' Elliott said. 'He'd show up, use the eyes and turn everybody to jelly.' Elliott also noted how Stamp became more discerning with his roles later in his career. 'If he'd already seen something like it, he didn't care. If something pressed his buttons and piqued his interest, he'd consider it,' Elliott said. Elliott remembered marveling at all the notable directors and actors Stamp got to work with throughout his career. 'He said to me, 'I just drifted from one to the other—if somebody had something interesting, I'd do it. That's the way it's always been.''
Business Insider
3 hours ago
- Business Insider
Michelle Yeoh says that despite constant work travel, she and her husband have found ways to make it work
Michelle Yeoh says she didn't have to choose between her career and personal life, thanks to her husband, former Ferrari CEO Jean Todt. In an interview with People published on Sunday, the "Everything Everywhere All at Once" actor spoke about her husband's support for her work and ambitions. "I am so blessed because he's so supportive of what I do. I love my work. This is my passion. He never turns around and says you spend a lot of time away from me, which I have sometimes, but he's very understanding," Yeoh told People. "On the day of our anniversary, I actually was flying." Yeoh met Todt in Shanghai in June 2004. After being engaged for 6,992 days, or around 19 years, the couple married in Geneva in July 2023. Reflecting on their journey to the altar, Yeoh shared the philosophy that shaped their relationship. "What we say is, 'Every day should be a celebration.' Why do we wait for a special day?" she said. She added that Todt shows his romantic side in the way he commemorates their time as a couple. "He doesn't count by years. He tells me we've been together 7,000-[something] days. And if I really ask, he'll give me hours and minutes too," Yeoh said. During a January 2024 appearance on " The Tonight Show," Yeoh called Todt one of the "most patient" people in the world. "And I think that's what we all deserve, it's to have someone who loves us for who we are and what we do. And we have a busy lifestyle, but he's always been so supportive," she told host Jimmy Fallon. Yeoh was previously married to Dickson Poon, a Hong Kong businessman, from 1988 to 1991. During a January 2024 appearance on the "Goop" podcast, Yeoh said she stepped away from acting during her first marriage in order to focus on the relationship. "You know, with our work, we're always traveling. If you're filming outside of the country, it's like, you know, maybe we'll not see each other for a couple of months. And when both parties work, it's hard to find that balance," Yeoh told host Gwyneth Paltrow. However, her inability to have kids was one of the main reasons for her divorce from Poon. Yeoh isn't the only Hollywood celebrity who says having a supportive partner helped keep their relationship strong. In February 2024, Blake Lively said she and Ryan Reynolds agreed "not to work at the same time" when they started dating, so that they could always prioritize their personal lives. In March 2024, Susan Downey said she and her husband, Robert Downey Jr., don't go more than two weeks without seeing each other and their family. A representative for Yeoh did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent by Business Insider outside regular hours.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Leonardo DiCaprio and Girlfriend Vittoria Ceretti Kiss on PDA-Filled Yacht Outing in Spain
The Aug. 15 outing near the Spanish island of Formentera gave a rare glimpse into the private couple's relationship NEED TO KNOW Leonardo DiCaprio and Vittoria Ceretti shared a kiss during a PDA-filled yacht outing on Friday, Aug. 15 The outing near the Spanish island of Formentera gave a rare glimpse into the private couple's relationship DiCaprio and Ceretti were first romantically linked in 2023 Leonardo DiCaprio and Vittoria Ceretti are soaking up the sun in Spain. The actor, 50, and the model, 27, were spotted on a PDA-filled yacht outing near the island of Formentera on Friday, Aug. 15, per photos obtained by the Daily Mail. The couple shared a kiss as they spent time lounging together on the boat and swimming in the Mediterranean Sea, the pictures reveal, giving a rare glimpse into the pair's romance. The couple — for whom traveling and yachting have proven to be favorite pastimes — was spotted spending time together and mingling with a larger group on the boat, the photos show. At one point, they shared a smooch as they sat in the shade, taking a break from the Spanish sun. Ceretti also appeared to place her hand on DiCaprio's backside as they walked up stairs together, one snap shows. Ceretti wore an animal-print string bikini, while DiCaprio sported a pair of black swim trunks. At different points, the pair both wore goggles as they appeared to take a dip in the Mediterranean. Earlier this summer, the pair — who have been romantically linked since August 2023 — were spotted on the way to Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez's wedding welcome party, which they later attended. On June 26, the actor and model were seen leaving the Gritti Palace Hotel in Venice, Italy, en route to the event, which preceded Bezos and Sánchez's nuptials. DiCaprio, a longtime friend of the newlyweds, wore a dark suit and black baseball cap, while Ceretti opted for a long, neutral dress with textured fabric and stitching down the sides. She had her hair styled in a chic updo, and carried a nude clutch bag. Prior to the rare sighting, a source revealed to PEOPLE that DiCaprio and Ceretti were expected to attend the star-studded wedding. Months earlier, Ceretti opened up about her relationship with DiCaprio in an interview, marking the first time she's done so since the pair were romantically linked. In a cover story for Vogue France (translated from French), the model discussed her dating life with the star, who was referred to simply as a "very, very famous actor" in the feature for the magazine's April 2025 issue. Ceretti revealed that the pair first met "in Milan,' but said, 'I prefer not to go into details.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories. She also shared her stance on the potential risk of being recognized for her relationship with DiCaprio rather than for her own career. "As soon as you're in a relationship with someone who has a larger following than you, you become 'girlfriend of' — or 'boyfriend of,' for that matter. And that can be extremely annoying,' she told Vogue France. 'Suddenly, people are talking about you as so-and-so's girlfriend who was so-and-so's ex. So, it's not nice to think that you can't love whoever you want, because of the labels people need to stick on you.' Ceretti also said that dating someone whose star is as large as DiCaprio's is 'something you learn.' 'If what you're experiencing is real, if you know you love each other, then there's no reason to be alarmed,' she told the French outlet. 'Because love protects and gives confidence." Read the original article on People Solve the daily Crossword
