From the past, Jim Rockford.
Today, Holmes in Elementary.
Honorable mention, Hawk in Spenser for Hire—mostly because of the cool all-white 6-series BMW coupe he drove!
I kinda liked Johnny Cash as a bad guy for a change! It's always nice seeing normally "good guys" turn up in bad guy roles. Off the topic of discussion, but Andy Griffith as murderer!?!?!Just watched an episode of Columbo last night where Ed Begley Jr. turned out to be the perp!!
Lance White.Another vote for Rockford and lets not forget Magnum PI
First one that comes to mind is Popeye Doyle from the French Connection. One of my favorites.