Alex Benedict

Alex Benedict is a famous music conductor who is married to a famous singer. He is suspected of murdering his mistress, who was also a talented pianist. Benedict is shown as a charming and confident character who believes that he can outsmart Lt. Columbo. As the plot unfolds, Columbo becomes increasingly suspicious of Benedict's involvement in the murder and he works to gather evidence to incriminate him. Despite Benedict's efforts to cover up the crime and evade suspicion, the detective eventually unravels the truth and exposes him as the killer. Overall, Alex Benedict is a complex and intriguing character in the "Columbo" series. Cassavetes' portrayal of the character is widely praised for his ability to bring both charm and menace to the role, making him a memorable and formidable antagonist in the episode "Etude in Black." The episode is very stylish with a great performance by Cassavetes, at a the time, a great friend of Peter Falk (Columbo). John Cassavetes was an American actor, screenwriter, and director who is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of American independent cinema. He was born on December 9, 1929, in New York City and died on February 3, 1989. Cassavetes started his career as an actor in the 1950s, appearing in films like "Crime in the Streets" and "Edge of the City." He later began writing and directing his own films, which were known for their gritty realism and emphasis on character development. His most famous films as a director include "Faces," "A Woman Under the Influence," and "The Killing of a Chinese Bookie." In addition to his work as a filmmaker, Cassavetes also acted in numerous films throughout his career. He appeared in movies like "Rosemary's Baby," "The Dirty Dozen," and "The Fury," among others. Cassavetes was known for his intense and passionate approach to filmmaking, often eschewing conventional Hollywood practices in favor of a more improvisational and organic approach to storytelling. He was nominated for three Academy Awards during his career, including Best Supporting Actor for his role in "The Dirty Dozen."