A Star is Dead begins with Quincy (Jack Klugman) being called to the home of a Hollywood actress, Roberta Rhodes (Donna Mills), who has been found dead of an apparent overdose. Quincy believes the death to be a suicide, but complications arise as the mother of Roberta (June Lockhart) accuses a congressman (Robert Foxworth) who had a romantic relationship with the victim to have argued with her that evening and killed her. Quincy is a friend of the congressman and does not believe he is a murderer which leads him to investigate further. This becomes more difficult when a tabloid newspaper editor (William Daniels) who was conducting surveillance of Roberta's home also implicates the congressman by reporting that he was there the evening she was killed after the congressman denies it.

This episode is a little different from the usual Quincy formula in that he is trying to prove a death was a suicide and NOT a murder, but I'm OK with this as you need to change things up a little every so often. There are good guest stars that deliver strong performances throughout which helps elevate this to being an overall good episode in my opinion. I was also pleased to see Lynette Mettey (Lee) return in this episode as Quincy's girlfriend again after only appearing in the credits of the previous episode.

One drawback is that Quincy seems a little too eager to believe his friend and conclude that this was a suicide rather than a homicide before having all of the facts which seems contrary to his usual approach. Aside from that, there are enough twists and turns to keep this one interesting and enjoyable. Be sure to stay tuned up to the very last minute as just when you think everything has concluded there is another surprising plot twist at the very end!