Re: Who had the most star power at the time they appeared on Columbo?
Dick Van Dyke. He was a seasoned actor by the time paul galesko came around. And as previously mentioned Ricardo Montalban. Julie Newmar in Double Shock as well.
In 'uneasy lies the crown' there are a host of great people sitting around the card table at john ballantines place. But none of them had "major roles"
Re: Who had the most star power at the time they appeared on Columbo?
My vote goes to Ray Milland. His performance in Lost Weekend is stunning if you haven't seen it, and got him an Academy Award. Not sure how many Academy Award winners in a leading role made it into Columbo. He was obviously older when he did Columbo so his "star power" was more senior, but nonetheless did a fantastic job in Death Lends a Hand and in Greenhouse Jungle.
Anyway, my respect for him as an actor tripled after I saw him in Lost Weekend a few years ago.
Re: Who had the most star power at the time they appeared on Columbo?
How about Janet Leigh in "Forgotten Lady?" Wasn't that after "Bye Bye Birdie" and "Psycho?" She was excellent in "Forgotten Lady." I enjoyed all her scenes mostly the dancing scenes both in the show and in "Rocking My Baby Back Home." I want to check if Amazon has that movie to buy. I would like to see it.