10 Celebrities You Didn't Realise Were On Columbo

2. Leslie Nielsen

Leslie Nielsen is a legend of comedy known for his deadpan performances in Airplane!, Dracula Dead And Loving It and The Naked Gun series. However, he started out in far more serious roles in the likes of Forbidden Planet, The Poseidon Adventure, and yes, two episodes of Columbo.

In Season 1, Nielson plays a corporate lawyer forbidden from marrying his boss' sister. Nielson isn't the killer or victim in this case, but he's the catalyst that leaves the "Lady in Waiting" with no choice but to bump off her interfering brother.

In Season 5's "Identity Crisis", Nielsen returns as a mysterious CIA operative savagely murdered by his colleague (played by Columbo stalwart Partick McGoohan, who also directs the episode).

It's a shame we never got to see Nielson take on the role of the murderer but his brutal death scene in that second episode is chilling, dramatic and unforgettable.

 
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Christopher is a freelance pop culture writer, podcaster and self-confessed nerd from Scotland. He's also the owner, founder and editor at "The Head Scratcher" and a host of "The Scratch Cast" podcast. Visit www.theheadscratcher.com to find out more.