We'd spend lots of time talking about the future, our craft and our chances of success in this newly different, ever-changing modern world we were living in." He was also in the same class as Steve McQueen. In 1957, he made his Broadway debut in "Middle of the Night". Landau made his first major film appearance in Alfred Hitchcock's "North by Northwest" (1959) as Leonard, the right-hand man of a criminal played by James Mason. He had featured roles in two 1960s epics, "Cleopatra" (1963) and "The Greatest Story Ever Told", and played a ruthless killer in the western "Nevada Smith" (both 1965), which starred Steve McQueen. Landau played the role of master of disguise in the US television series "". Landau at first declined to be contracted by the show because he did not want it to interfere with his film career; instead, he was credited for "special guest appearances" during the first season. He became a full-time cast member in the second season, although the studio agreed (at Landau's request) to contract him only on a year-by-year basis rather than the then-standard five years. The role of Hand required Landau to perform a wide range of accents and characters, from dictators to thugs, and several episodes had him playing dual roles—not only Hand's impersonation, but also the person whom Hand is impersonating. Landau co-starred in the series with his then-wife Barbara Bain. In 1973, Landau starred in the "Columbo" episode: "Double Shock" alongside Peter Falk. Landau plays twin brothers involved in the murder of their rich uncle. The episode also costarred Dabney Coleman, Julie Newmar, and Jeanette Nolan. In the mid-1970s, Landau and Bain returned to TV in the British science-fiction series "" (first produced by Gerry Anderson in partnership with Sylvia Anderson, and later by Fred Freiberger). Critical response to "Space: 1999" (also known as "Moonbase Alpha") was unenthusiastic during its original run, and it was cancelled after two seasons. Landau was critical of the scripts and storylines, especially during the series' second season, but praised the cast and crew. He later wrote forewords to "Space: 1999" co-star Barry Morse's theatrical memoir "Remember with Advantages" (2006) and Jim Smith's critical biography of Tim Burton. Following "", Landau appeared in supporting roles in a number of films and TV series.