When Peter Falk Was My Roommate, and Theater Ruled NYC

Many are astonished to learn that Peter Falk was once my roommate in New York over six decades ago. Even more surprising is that Falk wasn't the only star in our friend group; George Segal, Roy Scheider, and Wayne Rogers also rose to fame. Yet, it's intriguing that these were not the individuals I initially thought would make it big in Hollywood. Reflecting on those times, I realize I witnessed a pivotal era in American theater, surrounded by immensely talented and ambitious individuals. In 1959, I began a PhD in English at Princeton but quickly grew disillusioned. Advised by a friend who had already directed off-Broadway, I left academia to pursue writing, inspired by my previous successes in playwriting and encouraged by the achievements of peers like Ben Piazza, who had made significant strides in both theater and film.