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The Double-Dipped Villain: How George Hamilton Mastered Two Iconic Columbo Killers 16 Years Apart

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George Hamilton is a name synonymous with Hollywood glamour, a perpetual tan, and a suave, jet-setting lifestyle, yet his most enduring television legacy lies in the shadows of two masterful murders committed 16 years apart. The veteran actor holds a unique distinction in the annals of the classic detective series Columbo: he is one of only a handful of actors to play a killer not once, but twice, matching the legendary villainy of actors like Jack Cassidy and Robert Culp. This rare double-dip into villainy provides a fascinating study in the evolution of the show and the actor's enduring, debonair screen persona.

The two episodes—"A Deadly State of Mind" (1975) and "Caution: Murder Can Be Hazardous to Your Health" (1991)—perfectly bookend the show’s original run and its subsequent revival era. As of today, December 21, 2025, fans and critics continue to dissect these performances, often debating which of Hamilton's two arrogant, overconfident murderers offered Lieutenant Columbo his greatest challenge, and what specific, almost comical detail linked both of their ultimate downfalls.

George Hamilton: Biography and Filmography of a Hollywood Icon

George Stevens Hamilton was born on August 12, 1939, in Memphis, Tennessee. From the beginning, his career was defined by a sophisticated charm and striking good looks that made him a natural fit for leading man roles in the golden age of Hollywood. His early life and family connections to the film industry provided a springboard for a career that would span over six decades.

  • Birth Name: George Stevens Hamilton
  • Born: August 12, 1939, in Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
  • Notable Roles (Film): His breakout role came in the 1960 drama Home from the Hill. He is perhaps best known for his comedic and satirical work in films such as Love at First Bite (1979), where he played Count Dracula, and Zorro, The Gay Blade (1981).
  • Notable Roles (Television): Beyond his two iconic appearances on Columbo, Hamilton has had recurring roles in major series, including the soap opera Dynasty and the action-drama The Survivors. He also made a memorable appearance in the miniseries Roots.
  • Signature Persona: Hamilton is globally recognized for his dashing, well-dressed, and perpetually tanned public image, a persona he often parodied in his own work, including his turn as a celebrity in the reality show I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!.
  • Awards and Recognition: His performance in Love at First Bite earned him a Golden Globe nomination.

The Classic Era Villain: Dr. Mark Collier in "A Deadly State of Mind" (1975)

Hamilton's first foray into the world of Lieutenant Columbo came during the original run's peak, in the Season 4 episode "A Deadly State of Mind." This episode is a textbook example of the "how-catch-them" format that made the series famous, but with a psychological twist that was unique for its time.

The Arrogant Psychiatrist

In this classic 1975 episode, Hamilton plays Dr. Mark Collier, a wealthy, unscrupulous psychiatrist living a life of luxury in a stunning San Francisco penthouse. Dr. Collier is the epitome of the classic *Columbo* villain: highly educated, socially elite, and utterly contemptuous of the humble Lieutenant. His crime is driven by a desire to protect his reputation and his affair with a patient, Nadia Donner, the wife of his partner, Carl Donner (played by Stephen Elliott).

The murder method is one of the show's most far-fetched, involving a complex plan to stage a break-in and use a hypnotic trance to force Nadia's husband, Carl, to attack Collier, allowing the psychiatrist to shoot him in "self-defense."

The episode’s success hinges on Hamilton’s ability to portray a chilling blend of scientific arrogance and smooth charisma. He constantly patronizes Peter Falk’s Columbo, believing his superior intellect and knowledge of the human mind will shield him from the Lieutenant's seemingly bumbling investigation. The supporting cast, including Lesley Ann Warren as Nadia Donner and Bruce Kirby as Sergeant George Kramer, helped ground the intense psychological drama, which was directed by Harvey Hart and written by Peter S. Fischer.

The Revival Era Hypocrite: Wade Anders in "Caution: Murder Can Be Hazardous to Your Health" (1991)

Sixteen years later, George Hamilton returned to the series, cementing his status as one of the few double-villains—a rare club that also includes the legendary Jack Cassidy and Robert Culp. His second appearance came in the 1991 revival era episode, "Caution: Murder Can Be Hazardous to Your Health."

The Self-Righteous TV Host

Hamilton's second killer, Wade Anders, is a starkly different, yet equally narcissistic, character. Anders is the host of a popular, *America's Most Wanted*-style crime show, making him a public figure who preaches justice while secretly committing murder. The irony of a TV detective being caught by a real one provides the central tension of the episode.

Anders murders his blackmailer, Budd Clarke (Peter Haskell), who threatens to expose his past involvement in a pornographic film. The murder plot is intricate, involving a staged "accidental" electrocution while cleaning a pool, allowing Anders to maintain his clean, self-righteous public image.

Critics and fans often prefer this later performance, finding Wade Anders a more engaging, "deliciously" despicable villain whose over-the-top smugness perfectly matched the tone of the *Columbo* revival. His confrontation with Columbo is a masterclass in passive-aggressive intellectual warfare, as the TV host tries to use his knowledge of crime-solving to outwit the Lieutenant.

The Uncanny Parallel: The Dog That Linked Both Downfalls

The most fascinating piece of trivia connecting George Hamilton's two *Columbo* appearances—a detail often discussed in fan communities and retrospectives—is the role of a canine in both "gotcha" moments.

In a bizarre and uncanny parallel, both Dr. Mark Collier and Wade Anders are ultimately undone by a clue or circumstance involving a dog, a detail that perfectly complements Columbo’s own famously beloved Basset Hound. The repeated use of a dog in the solution for the same actor across a 16-year gap is almost certainly a deliberate nod from the show's creators to Hamilton's unique status as a repeat offender.

The comparison between the two roles is a testament to Hamilton's consistency as a performer. Across nearly two decades, both Dr. Collier and Wade Anders were defined by an "arrogant, calm, overconfident, and inexpressive" demeanor, allowing him to effortlessly slip into the role of the polished, high-society killer that Columbo specialized in catching. His ability to maintain this signature suave villainy, from the classic 1970s era to the 1990s revival, ensures George Hamilton’s place among the elite and most memorable guest stars in *Columbo* history.

Key Entities and Topical Authority:

  • Columbo Double Villains: George Hamilton joins Jack Cassidy, Robert Culp, and William Shatner.
  • Dr. Mark Collier: The psychiatrist who utilizes hypnosis in his murder plot.
  • Wade Anders: The television crime show host whose public persona is a lie.
  • Lesley Ann Warren: Co-star in "A Deadly State of Mind."
  • Peter S. Fischer: Screenwriter for "A Deadly State of Mind."
  • Peter Haskell: Played victim Budd Clarke in the 1991 episode.
  • Columbo Revival Era: The period of the show's return in 1989, which featured Hamilton's second episode.
  • The Basset Hound: Columbo's own dog, whose presence contrasts with the dogs involved in Hamilton's downfalls.

For fans looking to revisit the series, George Hamilton’s two episodes offer a perfect pairing: a deep dive into the classic era’s psychological drama and a look at the revival’s meta-commentary on media and celebrity. His dual performance remains a high point, proving that few actors could match the effortless elegance and cold-blooded charm required to be a truly great *Columbo* villain.

george hamilton in columbo
george hamilton in columbo

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