Telly Savalas
Aristotelis “Telly” Savalas (January 21, 1922 – January 22, 1994) was an American film and television actor and singer, whose career spanned four decades. Best known for playing the title role in the 1970s crime drama Kojak, Savalas was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Birdman of Alcatraz (1962). His other movie credits include The Young Savages (1961), The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965), Battle of the Bulge (1965), The Dirty Dozen (1967), The Scalphunters (1968), supervillain Ernst Stavro Blofeld in the James Bond film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969), Kelly’s Heroes (1970), Pretty Maids All in a Row (1971), Inside Out (1975) and Escape to Athena (1979). He was easily recognizable with his shaved head and strong, masculine features.
Trivia:
Early in his career he played mainly brutish criminals until he changed his image completely in the 1970s, when he was cast as a homicide detective in the acclaimed TV-movie The Marcus-Nelson Murders (1973) (TV) and its spin-off series, “Kojak” (1973).
He used off-script phrases and mottoes in Greek during filming.
His brother, George Savalas, starred in “Kojak” (1973) with him.
Father of Christina Savalas (with Katherine Nicolaides); Candace Savalas and Penelope Savalas (with Marilyn Gardner); Nick Savalas (with Sally Adams); and Christian Savalas and Ariana Savalas (with Julie Hovland).
On January 21 1994, he celebrated his 72nd and last birthday with his family, friends and colleagues at the Universal Sheraton Inn in Universal City, California, 1 day before his death.
Godfather of Jennifer Aniston
Was originally slated to play Luke in Cool Hand Luke (1967), but the producers were unable to wait for him to complete his boat trip from Europe to the U.S. Therefore, Paul Newman played the role instead.
Early in his career, he directed stage plays at a theater in Connecticut.
He was an accomplished poker player.
His son Nick Savalas’s half-sister, Nicollette Sheridan, and his former “Kojak” (1973) co-star, Kevin Dobson, both starred in the popular 1980s soap opera, “Knots Landing” (1979).
Before becoming an actor, he had many odd jobs, from newspaper vendor to lifeguard.
Was a member of Company C, 12th Medical Training Battalion, 4th Medical Training Regiment at Camp Pickett, Virginia.
Was the second of 5 children.
He had many hobbies including golfing, swimming, gambling, collecting luxury cars, spending time with his family, horse racing, motorcycle racing, watching football and reading romantic books.
Purchased a house in the Southern California desert community of Palm Desert because he enjoyed playing golf so much.
Interred at the George Washington Section of Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles, California, USA.
Attended Columbia University in New York, New York.
When he worked as a lifeguard, he failed to save a man from drowning, and was troubled by the memory forever after.
Was involved in a serious car accident in Virginia during his hitch in the army.
Met his first wife (Katherine) at a Greek dance while attending Columbia University.
Hosted a popular radio program, “Telly’s Coffeehouse,” in the early 1950s.
Left index finger was deformed.
Reason why he sucked on a lollipop during “Kojak” (1973): to help him to quit smoking.
Graduated from Sewanhaka High School in Floral Park, New York, in 1942.
Met his last wife, Julie Hovland, on the set of “Kojak” (1973) while he was traveling with her to Minnesota in 1977.
Would always refuse to talk about his service during World War II.
Spoke Greek fluently
Former stepfather of Nicollette Sheridan. (Sheridan’s mother is Sally Sheridan .).
He didn’t appear in his first film until he was 37.
Had a fear of flying. Ironically, he played a pilot in Capricorn One (1977).
Has the distinction of playing two Alcatraz prison inmates; Feto Gomez in Birdman of Alcatraz (1962) and Cretzer in Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story (1980) (TV).
Was the first choice for the role of Harry Orwell in the TV series “Harry O” (1973). He declined due to filming commitments in Europe. David Janssen was eventually cast in the role.
Owned a wide variety of luxury vehicles, including Cadillacs, Lincolns, Fords, Pontiacs, Mercedes and DeLoreans.
Loved gambling and was a very successful gambler, winning many Vegas poker tournaments and losing few.
After portraying Pontius Pilate in The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965), he chose to remain completely bald and this signature look, somewhere between the comic and the ominous, stood him in good stead in the years that followed.
In 1990 the city of New York declared The Marcus-Nelson Murders (1973) (TV) as the official movie of New York City, and awarded Telly with the Key to the City. The film was the one that introduced Savalas’ most famous character, Lt. Theo Kojak, later made famous on its spin-off series “Kojak” (1973).
His mother, Christina, was a world recognized contemporary of Pablo Picasso, and Savalas himself released several records, the most remembered being his version of “If”, that was #1 in Europe for 10 weeks in 1975.
He was also a strong contributor to his Greek Orthodox roots through the Saint Sophia and Saint Nicholas cathedrals in Los Angeles, and was the sponsor of bringing electricity in the ’70s to his ancestral home, Yeraka, Greece.
Uncle of Australian-born actor Peter Cavnoudias.
Born on the same day as Benny Hill, who impersonated Savalas’s “Kojak” (1973) character on “The Benny Hill Show” (1969).
Enjoyed watching “Jeopardy!” (1984).
Loved to read historical biographies and, somewhat surprisingly, romance novels.
Underwent successful surgery for prostate cancer in 1989, but in 1991 was diagnosed with bladder cancer which spread to his bones and pancreas.
Did the narration on several tourist information films on British Cities during the 1970s. Apparently he recorded them all during one visit to the UK to promote his Kojak show.
Best remembered by the public for his starring role in “Kojak” (1973).
Was good friends with Burt Lancaster, Angie Dickinson, Don Rickles, Frank Sinatra and Shelley Winters.
His mother, Christina, died in 1989.
He wasn’t the first choice to audition for “Kojak” (1973), when Marlon Brando had been offered the role.
At first, Telly was an executive director and then senior director of the news special events at ABC, Savalas then became an executive producer for the “Gillette Cavalcade of Sports,” where he gave Howard Cosell his first job.
Worked at the Garden City Theatre Center where he met and fell in love with Marilyn Gardner.
He was an active liberal Democrat.
Remained good friends with Kevin Dobson during and after “Kojak” (1973).
Of Greek descent.
Was a spokesperson for the Players’ Club Gold Card from 1981 to 1990.
