The Ultimate List of Top 10 Famous Columbo Guest Stars That Will Leave You Amazed!

Summary

Columbo subverts classic whodunnit tropes by revealing the killer's identity early, creating suspense as they try to get away with their crimes.

The show highlights renowned guest stars such as Roddy McDowall, Janet Leigh, Vincent Price, and Faye Dunaway, enhancing the excitement of every episode. In Columbo, actors like Leslie Nielsen, Johnny Cash, William Shatner, and Dick Van Dyke exhibit their versatility by portraying dramatic or villainous characters.

The iconic detective series, created by Richard Levinson and William Link, featured a remarkable lineup of guest stars that added to its appeal. debuting in 1971, Columbo centers around Lieutenant Columbo, a peculiar yet astute detective in the LAPD homicide division, who investigates and resolves murder cases. The character of Columbo is known for several distinct characteristics that have become iconic, including his beige raincoat, his penchant for smoking cigars, his vintage Peugeot 403 car, his fondness for chili, and his unseen wife. Additionally, his catchphrase, "Just one more thing," has also become well-known.

What sets Columbo apart and contributed to its immense popularity is its departure from the conventions and expectations of traditional whodunit and detective stories. Each episode begins with the murderer executing their crime and then unveiling their identity, all before Columbo takes on the challenge of solving the mystery. By exposing the culprit early on, the show gives equal attention to both the villains and the victims, generating suspense and tension as the perpetrators attempt to elude justice. The thrill is intensified when renowned guest stars portray either Columbo's adversaries or victims.

Roddy McDowall (S1.E6 "Short Fuse")

Janet Leigh (S5.E1 "Forgotten Lady")

In episode 6 of Columbo season 1, titled "Short Fuse", the character of Roger Stanford is portrayed by Roddy McDowall. Roger is a trendy British individual from the '70s who takes pleasure in playing pranks on the secretaries at his family's chemical plant, all while labeling everyone around him as unimaginative. However, right from the beginning, it is revealed that Roger was responsible for his uncle's demise by employing exploding cigars. Roddy McDowall is renowned for his portrayal of Cornelius in the Planet of the Apes movies, although comic-book enthusiasts may recognize him better as the superb depiction of the Mad Hatter in Batman: The Animated Series, widely considered as one of the finest interpretations of Batman.

Janet Leigh stars as Grace Wheeler Willis in "Forgotten Lady," the first episode of season 5 of Columbo. Grace, a former Hollywood actress, is determined to revive her career in the movie industry. However, faced with her husband's skepticism and disbelief in her aspirations, Grace resorts to drugging him with sleeping pills and staging his death as a suicide. Janet Leigh's notable role includes portraying Marion Crane, the infamous murder victim in Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho. She has also appeared in other films such as Touch of Evil, where she played Susan Vargas, and John Carpenter's The Fog, in which she portrayed Kathy Williams.

Janis Paige (S1.E7 "Blueprint For Murder")

In Columbo season 1, episode 7 "Blueprint for Murder", Goldie Williamson, portrayed by Janis Paige, takes on the role of the ex-wife of the victim, Beau Williamson. As Elliot Markham commits the crime by killing Beau and concealing his body, Goldie emerges as the first person to suspect his sudden disappearance. Her involvement becomes pivotal in assisting Columbo to crack the case. Critics highly acclaimed Paige for her portrayal of Goldie Williamson, a strong feminist character who radiated resilience and self-assurance without ever becoming unlikable. Notably, the actress gained recognition for her notable performances in films such as Silk Stockings as Peggy Dayton, Please Don't Eat the Daisies as Deborah Vaughn, and Romance on the High Seas as Elvira Kent.

Vincent Price (S3.E1 "Lovely But Lethal")

In Columbo season 3, episode 1 "Lovely But Lethal", Vincent Price takes on the role of David Lang. Lang is the CEO of a cosmetics company and a fierce rival of Viveca Scott, known as the "Queen of the Cosmetics Industry". Scott develops a groundbreaking solution for wrinkles, hoping to surpass Lang's company in sales. However, when she discovers that her ex-boyfriend, Dr. Karl Lessing (played by Martin Sheen), has stolen her invention, she impulsively kills him out of anger. Price is widely recognized for his portrayals of The Inventor in Tim Burton's Edward Scissorhands, Frederick Loren in House on Haunted Hill, and Professor Henry Jarrod in House of Wax.

Leslie Nielsen (S1.E5 "Lady In Waiting" & S5.E3 "Identity Crisis")

Johnny Cash (S3.E7 "Make Me A Perfect Murder")

Leslie Nielsen, renowned for his comedic roles, also showcased his versatility by taking on dramatic characters in TV shows. In the popular series Columbo, Nielsen portrayed two distinct personas: first as Peter Hamilton, the lawyer boyfriend of the murderer in season 1, episode 5 "Lady in Waiting", and later as A.J. Henderson, a CIA agent who becomes a victim to one of his colleagues wielding a tire iron in season 5, episode 3 "Identity Crisis". Additionally, Nielsen gained widespread recognition for his memorable performances as Dr. Rumack in the timeless comedy masterpiece Airplane! (1980) and as Frank Drebin in the beloved Naked Gun franchise.

In the episode "Make Me a Perfect Murder" from season 3 of Columbo, the renowned musician Johnny Cash magnificently portrays the role of Tommy Brown, a renowned gospel singer. Brown's wife, Edna, accuses him of sexually assaulting Maryann, one of his backup singers. In a deplorable act, Brown murders both women by sedating them and then deliberately crashing his private plane into the desert mountains while parachuting to safety. Johnny Cash, famous for his remarkable contributions to country music with hits like "Ring of Fire," "Man in Black," and "I Walk the Line," has also showcased his acting prowess in noteworthy films such as The Last Days of Frank and Jesse James, where he brilliantly portrays the character of Frank James.

Faye Dunaway (It's All In The Game)

Critically acclaimed actress Faye Dunaway stars in the Columbo TV movie It's All in the Game as Lauren Staton, a mother who teams up with her daughter to murder an abusive boyfriend. While Dunaway playing a femme fatale is nothing new, what was shocking was that, in this episode, Columbo nearly betrays his wife as both Lauren and Columbo share a passionate kiss. Dunaway is renowned for her unforgettable performances in iconic movies like Bonnie and Clyde as Bonnie Parker, Network as Diana Christensen, and Chinatown as Evelyn Cross Mulwray.

William Shatner (S6.E1 "Fade In To Murder" & Butterfly In Shades Of Grey)

William Shatner portrayed the role of the culprit in two instances on the popular TV series Columbo and its associated TV movies. Interestingly, it emerged that he was the killer on both occasions. In the first episode of the sixth season titled "Fade in to Murder," Shatner's character was Ward Fowler, a fictitious television mystery actor who murderously disposed of his assistant, who had attempted to blackmail him.

In the TV movie Butterfly in Shades of Grey,

Dick Van Dyke (S4.E2 "Negative Reaction")

Paul Galesko, portrayed by Dick Van Dyke, takes on an unconventional role in Columbo season 4, episode 2 "Negative Reaction". The character, a renowned photographer, orchestrates a horrifying charade where he feigns the kidnapping of his wife, Frances, ultimately leading to her tragic demise. His motive? To pursue a clandestine relationship with his assistant, Lorna. As Van Dyke is typically associated with more virtuous characters, his portrayal of this cunning persona showcases his remarkable versatility as an actor. Notably, Van Dyke gained immense popularity through his lead role as Rob Petrie in the eponymous sitcom The Dick Van Dyke Show, and further captivated audiences in movies like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang as Caractacus Potts, Bye Bye Birdie as Albert F. Peterson, and Mary Poppins as Bert.

Leonard Nimoy (S2.E6 "A Stitch In Crime")

In Season 2, Episode 6 of Columbo titled "A Stitch in Crime," Leonard Nimoy portrayed Dr. Barry Mayfield, a career-driven individual who resorts to killing his colleagues. Critics widely regard Nimoy as one of the series' standout guest stars, given his remarkable portrayal of a calm, methodical murderer who unsettles both the audience and the eponymous detective, Columbo. Nimoy's ability to embody such a starkly contrasting character to his iconic role as Spock, the half-human, half-Vulcan character from Star Trek, further exemplifies his exceptional versatility.