Special Guest Stars: Hollywood Icons and Repeat Offenders

This chapter explores the integration of film and television histories in Columbo through focusing on guest stars who appeared on the series, whether as murderers, victims, or minor characters. The first half attends to guest appearances by classical Hollywood stars, particularly looking at the representation of “aging” women in film and on television. With its regular circulation of classical film stars, Columbo integrates film and television industries at a moment of transformation for both. The second half considers “repeat offenders”—actors who appear on multiple episodes, playing different murderers but often showcasing similar characteristics across their various roles. Moreover, each repeat offender also consistently follows the very star persona developed through their television work in the 1960s.