#26: Johnny Cash Played a Killer on Columbo
Yes — Johnny Cash guest-starred on Columbo as the murderer in the 1974 episode Swan Song. Cash played a famous gospel singer with a dark secret, and he leaned fully into the role with quiet menace and charisma.
The episode is a fan favorite, partly because Cash takes the part seriously instead of winking at it. Watching Columbo slowly box in a music icon adds an extra layer of fun. It’s one of the best examples of the show’s tradition of casting big stars… as doomed suspects.