William Link, born on December 15, 1933, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was one of the most influential writers and producers in television history. Best known for co-creating some of the most iconic and enduring crime and mystery series of the 20th century, including Columbo, Murder, She Wrote, and Mannix, Link’s work had a profound impact on television storytelling. His unique approach to character-driven mysteries, developed alongside his longtime writing partner Richard Levinson, helped redefine the genre and created some of the most beloved characters on TV. Over a career spanning more than five decades, Link’s contributions to television, film, and theater earned him widespread acclaim and solidified his place as a legend in the entertainment industry.
Early Life and Education
William Theodore Link was born in Philadelphia, where he developed an early love for writing and storytelling. He grew up in a creative household and began experimenting with writing at a young age. It was during his high school years that Link met Richard Levinson, who would become his lifelong friend and creative collaborator. The two discovered a shared passion for mystery stories, particularly those by iconic writers like Agatha Christie, Dashiell Hammett, and Raymond Chandler. Their shared interests and complementary writing styles led them to start working on mystery stories together while still in high school.
After graduating from high school, Link attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he continued to pursue his interest in writing. He and Levinson continued their partnership, honing their craft and developing a distinctive style that blended sharp dialogue, clever plotting, and character-driven storytelling. The partnership would become one of the most successful and enduring in television history, producing some of the most iconic TV series of all time.
The Early Years: Writing for Television Anthologies
After graduating from college, Link and Levinson moved to New York City in search of writing opportunities. In the early 1950s, television was still a relatively new medium, but it provided young writers like Link and Levinson with a platform to experiment and hone their skills. They began writing for various television anthology series, which were popular at the time. These series often featured self-contained episodes with different stories and characters, providing a great training ground for new writers.
Link and Levinson’s work during this period included scripts for shows such as Alfred Hitchcock Presents and The United States Steel Hour. These early projects helped them establish a reputation as talented writers with a knack for creating suspenseful and engaging stories. Their ability to craft intricate mystery plots, combined with their strong character development, made them stand out in the competitive world of television writing.
Breakthrough with Columbo
William Link and Richard Levinson’s first major success came with the creation of Columbo, one of the most iconic detective shows in television history. The character of Lieutenant Columbo, played masterfully by Peter Falk, was introduced in the 1968 TV movie Prescription: Murder. Columbo was a different kind of detective—unassuming, rumpled, and seemingly absent-minded, but possessing a razor-sharp mind and a relentless dedication to solving crimes.
What set Columbo apart from other detective shows of the time was the “inverted mystery” format that Link and Levinson pioneered. Instead of focusing on figuring out who the murderer was, the audience was shown the crime and the killer at the beginning of each episode. The suspense and drama then came from watching Columbo outwit the culprit and methodically piece together the evidence. The show was a masterclass in psychological gamesmanship, with Columbo using his deceptively simple demeanor to lure criminals into a false sense of security before catching them in their lies.
Columbo premiered as part of the NBC Mystery Movie series in 1971 and quickly became a massive hit. Falk’s portrayal of the disheveled detective, combined with Link and Levinson’s clever writing, made the show a favorite with audiences and critics alike. Columbo went on to win multiple awards, including Emmys for both Peter Falk and the writing team. The character of Columbo became an enduring pop culture icon, and the show’s success helped solidify Link and Levinson’s reputation as masters of the mystery genre.
Murder, She Wrote and More Television Successes
After the success of Columbo, William Link and Richard Levinson continued to create hit shows that pushed the boundaries of the mystery genre. One of their most significant achievements came with Murder, She Wrote, which premiered in 1984 and became one of the longest-running and most beloved mystery series in television history. Starring Angela Lansbury as Jessica Fletcher, a crime-solving mystery writer, the show combined classic whodunit elements with Lansbury’s charismatic portrayal of a clever and compassionate amateur detective.
Levinson and Link originally conceived Murder, She Wrote as a way to showcase a strong female protagonist in a genre that had traditionally been dominated by male detectives. Jessica Fletcher was unlike any other detective on television at the time: she was a middle-aged, intelligent woman with a sharp eye for detail and a natural talent for solving crimes. Lansbury’s portrayal made Fletcher a household name, and the show’s combination of clever mysteries and charming small-town settings resonated with audiences around the world.
Murder, She Wrote ran for 12 seasons, from 1984 to 1996, and garnered numerous accolades, including Golden Globe Awards and Emmy nominations for Lansbury. The show’s success further cemented Link and Levinson’s status as television trailblazers. The duo’s ability to craft engaging and accessible mysteries, along with their focus on character development, helped make Murder, She Wrote a classic that remains popular in syndication and streaming to this day.
Other Iconic Television Contributions
In addition to Columbo and Murder, She Wrote, Link and Levinson created and contributed to several other successful television series and films. One of their other major achievements was Mannix, a hard-hitting detective show that aired from 1967 to 1975. Starring Mike Connors as Joe Mannix, a private investigator who frequently found himself in dangerous situations, the show was notable for its action-packed sequences and gritty tone. Mannix became a popular and influential series during its time, and it added another hit to Link and Levinson’s growing list of credits.
Link and Levinson were also responsible for Ellery Queen, a mystery series that aired in 1975–1976 and featured the famous fictional detective of the same name. Though the show had a shorter run compared to their other creations, it demonstrated Link’s continued dedication to the mystery genre and his ability to craft engaging, complex plots.
In addition to their work in television, the writing duo ventured into film, co-writing the screenplay for The Execution of Private Slovik (1974), which starred Martin Sheen. The TV movie, based on the true story of the only American soldier executed for desertion during World War II, was praised for its emotional depth and historical significance. The project demonstrated Link’s range as a writer, showing that he could tackle serious, real-life issues with the same care and skill that he applied to his fictional mysteries.
Awards and Legacy
William Link and Richard Levinson’s work earned them numerous accolades over the course of their careers. They won several Emmy Awards, Writers Guild Awards, and Edgar Allan Poe Awards for their contributions to television writing. In 1995, Link and Levinson were inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame, a recognition of their enormous impact on the medium.
Link’s ability to create compelling, memorable characters and innovative mystery formats helped change the landscape of television. The characters and shows he co-created remain beloved by audiences today, with Columbo and Murder, She Wrote still enjoying widespread syndication and streaming popularity. Link’s focus on making his characters relatable and his mysteries engaging without relying on violence or sensationalism set a standard for quality television writing that continues to influence the genre.
Continuing Influence and Final Years
After Richard Levinson’s death in 1987, William Link continued to work in television and film, though his career was never quite the same without his longtime collaborator. He remained active as a consultant and occasionally worked on new projects. Despite losing his creative partner, Link’s passion for storytelling and his commitment to the mystery genre remained unwavering.
William Link passed away on December 27, 2020, at the age of 87. His death marked the end of an era in television history, but his legacy lives on through the shows and characters that continue to entertain and inspire new generations.