In 1976, Columbo delivered one of its most stylish and theatrical episodes with “Now You See Him.” At the center of the illusion was The Great Santini, a world-famous stage magician whose charm, ego, and sleight of hand concealed something far darker.
Santini was portrayed with delicious arrogance by Jack Cassidy, a master of playing brilliant men undone by their own vanity. With his cape, accent, international fame, and obsession with being admired, Santini wasn’t just a villain — he was a performer to the end, convinced that applause and intellect could outmaneuver Columbo’s rumpled persistence.
