Peter Falk suffers from Alzheimer's, daughter says

Actor Peter Falk (L) and actress Loretta Swit attend the unveiling of actor Wayne Rogers' star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood December 13, 2005. .

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - "Columbo" star Peter Falk's daughter has filed court documents saying the award-winning actor suffers from Alzheimer's disease and dementia and she should manage his affairs.

In papers filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Friday last week, Catherine Falk said her 81-year-old father can be "deceived into transferring away property" and that the actor should be under her conservatorship to protect his health and assets.

A hearing on the matter is scheduled for next month.

A representative from the talent agency representing Falk declined to comment.

Falk starred in the 1970s television series "Columbo" as a police lieutenant investigating odd and twisted crimes, wearing a scruffy raincoat and puffing on a cigar and always coming back to ask the cornered criminal "one more thing."

Falk's portrayal of the character earned him an Emmy, U.S. TV's highest award.

The actor was nominated for two Oscars in the early 1960s, for the movies "Murder, Inc." and "Pocketful of Miracles." He also starred in movies by independent director John Cassavetes, including "A Woman Under the Influence" and "Husbands."

(Reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis: Editing by Bob Tourtellotte and Sandra Maler)