Falk Is Named 'Gentleman Of The Year'

About 70 students, professors, Cambridge residents and 'Poonsters gathered in front of the Lampoon Castle yesterday afternoon to watch actor Peter Falk accept the organization's Gentleman of the Year Award.

The Lampoon, a semi-secret Bow St. social organization that used to occasionally publish a so-called humor magazine, honored Falk in a ceremony featuring skits, songs and spoofs.

"The Emmies are a bit more informal, so I think I prefer this," Falk said of yesterday's proceedings. "I'm secretly very stuffy."

Falk is best known for his starring role in the television detective series, "Colombo." He has also appeared in a number of films, including "The Princess Bride" and "Wings of Desire," as well as off-Broadway productions.

Falk is the winner of five Emmy awards and is a two-time Academy Award-nominee.

"Poonsters said they gave Falk the award because of the endearing, grandfatherly personality he has exhibited in four decades as an actor.

"What we really like is the zaniness and warmth of Colombo, the character he plays on TV," said John J. Abbott '96, the Lampoon's outgoing ibis. "He's bumbling, he's awkward, but he gets the job done, and a lot of us aspire to be like that."

"He's really just a gentleman. He never resorted to violence. You never saw him rough anyone up," Abbott continued. "Sometimes you'd see Magnum tear the ass out of a guy."

Indeed, Falk seemed friendly and easy-going as he signed a slew of autographs and posed for pictures with fans.

Professor of Astronomy Robert P. Kirshner '70 was on hand, reading a science book until the ceremony got underway.

His daughter, a Lampoon editor, presented the award to Falk.

The two chatted with the actor afterwards. They told him they were both sick in bed and miserable last Christmas Eve, until "Colombo" came on TV and brightened their night.

Falk seemed to appreciate the praise of the crowd and Lampoon editors.

"I'm glad I came," Falk told the crowd after the 'Poonsters presented him with a tophat and cane.

At least one onlooker thought that in this costume, Falk was appropriately comic.

One spectator was overheard commenting, "He looks like Mr. Peanut."