Here is a short list of people that I could potentially see as a killer on a Columbo episode. Granted, most of these people are old by now, but still here goes:
1. James MacArthur. OK, not the perfect role for Danno but I think I would cast him as an arrogant killer.
2. George Takai. Not the most masculline fellow in the world, but I can see him killing someone (like with a sword or some form of martial arts).
3. Kent McCord. Played jim Reed on Adam-12. I can see him going to the dark side.
4. And finally, the bumbling, over-barren, self-centered, egocentric "Higgins" from Magnum PI. That guy is just annoying in all respects. I would have loved to have seen Columbo match wits with him and ultimately take him down. Hard.
Re: People That Could Have Been Killers - But Weren't
my choose for a perfect guest murderer would be leslie nielsen. I think that he is very goofd and would play a nasty villian like the person he played in creep show
Re: Re: Re: People That Could Have Been Killers - But Weren't
This is my list, based on who would have been appropriate casting given their particular status in the 1970s.
#1-Joan Collins. Would have been far better than Vera Miles in "Lovely But Lethal."
#2-Fred MacMurray. "Columbo" would have been a great way to flex his muscles after "My Three Sons" and recall the roles he did in films like "Double Indemnity" and "The Apartment"
#3-Richard Crenna
#4-Leslie Nielsen
#5-Diana Rigg and Patrick MacNee in the same episode. (Who knows, maybe inspired alternate casting for "Dagger Of The Mind"?)
#6-Julie London. If they'd written the Faye Dunaway script in the 70s, Julie would have been ideal for that part.