November 11, 2016 was a sad day for Columbo fans the world over, with the news that one of the show’s suavest and most stylish guest stars, Robert Vaughn, had died at the age of 83.
A veteran of more than 150 movies, notably Superman 3 and The Magnificent 7, and scores of TV shows including his iconic turn in The Man from UNCLE, and global hits Hustle, The A-Team and Coronation Street, Vaughn was as prolific as he was popular.
“Sporting some of the sharpest shirt collars and most confident cravats ever seen, Vaughn rocked looks that other actors couldn’t have dared to pull off.”
But Columbo fans know and love him for his two guest-star appearances in the show’s 70s hey-day: first as the villainous Hayden Danziger in Troubled Waters in 1975, which was followed a year later by the more enigmatic Charles Clay in Last Salute to the Commodore – both distinctly nautical adventures.
Bad hair days on the high seas in Troubled Waters, anyone?
Of the two, Vaughn is best remembered in Columbo circles for Troubled Waters – a blast of an episode set on the high seas aboard a cruise ship, and filmed during an actual cruise.
Here, in an array of dazzling outfits, and sporting some of the sharpest shirt collars and most confident cravats ever seen, Vaughn rocked looks that other actors couldn’t have dared to pull off. Indeed he brought a sense of style to the show that even Jack Cassidy couldn’t match.
If 70s’ style has a name it must be Robert Vaughn
His hard-hearted car salesman killer also shared many of Cassidy’s archetypal Columbo baddie characteristics: charm allied with a distinct coolness; an over-helpfulness towards the Lieutenant; a love of money that he’d kill to keep his grubby mitts on.
Given that Troubled Waters is one of the most fun Columbo episodes of all, it’s little wonder that Vaughn’s contribution is cherished. He deserved another crack as a Columbo killer – and he very nearly got it.
Instead, for his second appearance in Last Salute to the Commodore, the producers used Vaughn in an epic bait-and-switch manoeuvre. It looked for all the world as if his surly Charles Clay slew the titular Commodore. Instead he ended up as the murder victim in the series’ first ever genuine whodunnit. The audience of the day must have been left reeling!
Vaughn’s second Columbo appearance was anything but predictable
My own feelings towards this episode are much less enthusiastic than Troubled Waters. But no blame goes to Vaughn, who was excellent in a very interesting role. His talent was simply wasted here. Last Salute splits opinion with the fans, too, which is one reason why Vaughn’s outing here is much more under the radar.
But for what he brought to the show, Vaughn retains a place in the hearts of Columbo fans in perpetuity. Bon voyage, Robert. Thanks for sailing with us.
Wherever they are now, let’s hope Peter and Robert are enjoying a drink together
Always, The Man From Uncle.
I love Troubled waters one of the best episodes , as for last salute I hate it , I cannot follow the story , Vaughn’s character is off putting and his talent wasted , I cant stand the other characters they are very silly and annoying and i could easily put it bottom of the 70s pile .
I liked him in the A Team
I really liked him in the A Team
The final paragraph of this article is a thing of beauty. Thanks for this fitting tribute to a great man.
Troubled Waters was on TV last week and naturally I just had to watch it again. One of my absolute favourite Columbo episodes. Like the Columbophile himself, I prefer the episodes that were made in the 70s. A golden era of US TV.
@Genefangirl
Honor Blackman also.
Yes, you’re right – I’d forgotten that, thanks for the reply!
Just watched Troubled Waters again in tribute to Robert – the episode is sublime and easily in the top 10 of all Columbo episodes – I wonder is he the only actor ever to appear in both Columbo and Coronation St?