Showbiz pals of Columbo star Peter Falk are backing his wife's fight for the right to care for the actor as he battles Alzheimer's disease.

Last month, Falk's adopted daughter, Catherine Falk, filed papers claiming her father has dementia and Alzheimer's disease and can no longer care for himself. Catherine is asking the court to name her his conservator.

But last week, Falk's second wife, Shera, fought back by filing her own court papers, insisting he should be allowed to remain at home with her. She alleges her husband of 32 years never attended Catherine's wedding and has never even met her children.

And a clutch of close friends, including actress Gena Rowlands, actor Joe Mantegna and late TV host Johnny Carson's ex-wife Joanna, have rushed to support Shera.

In court documents, Rowlands insists, "Shera has taken extremely good care (of Falk) over the years", while star Mantegna adds, "Shera is the closest person to Peter in his life... there is no person second to her."

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)