Biography for
Telly Savalas More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

21 January 1922, Garden City, Long Island, New York, USA

Date of Death

22 January 1994, Universal City, California, USA (bladder cancer)

Birth Name

Aristotelis Savalas

Nickname

Golden Greek

Height

5' 10" (1.78 m)

Mini Biography

Son of Greek immigrants. Soldier during World War II. Studied psychology. Worked as journalist for ABC News. The bald-headed actor played character roles, often as sadistic or psychotic types. He became a TV favorite in the 1970s when his role as Det. Theo Kojak in the TV movie "Kojak: The Marcus-Nelson Murders (#1.0)" (1973) was expanded into the gritty "Kojak" (1973) TV series, lasting from 1973-78.

IMDb Mini Biography By: Ray Hamel

Spouse

Julie Hovland	(22 December 1984 - 22 January 1994) (his death) 2 children
Marilyn Gardner	(21 July 1960 - 19 October 1974) (divorced) 2 children
Katherine Nicolaides	(1948 - 1957) (divorced) 1 child

Trade Mark

The catchphrase, "Who loves ya, baby?"

Bald head

His deep, gravelly voice

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 "Kojak: The Marcus-Nelson Murders (#1.0)" (1973) and its spin-off series, "Kojak" (1973).

He used off-script phrases and mottoes in Greek during filming.

His younger brother, George Savalas, starred in "Kojak" (1973) with him.

Father of Christina Savalas (born 1950) (with Katherine Nicolaides); Candace Savalas (born 1963) and Penelope Savalas (born 1961) (with Marilyn Gardner); Nick Savalas (with Sally Sheridan); and Christian Savalas (born 1985) 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. (Telly had a severe fear of flying). Therefore, 'Paul Newman (I)' 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 1940.

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 "Kojak: The Marcus-Nelson Murders (#1.0)" (1973) 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 as the title character in "Kojak" (1973).

Was good friends with: Ernest Borgnine, Burt Lancaster, Angie Dickinson, Don Rickles, Frank Sinatra, Michael Constantine 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.

Was raised nearby the same city as Brian Keith.

Was also best friends with actors Karl Malden and John Aniston. (who served as godfather to John's daughter actress Jennifer Aniston).

His eldest daughter, Christina, was named after his mother.

Nicollette Sheridan, daughter of his companion Sally Sheridan, considered him as her father.

Was good friends with producer/director Irwin Allen, appearing in his Beyond the Poseidon Adventure (1979), and Alice in Wonderland (1985) (TV).

Personal Quotes

We're all born bald, baby.

Who loves ya, baby?

[on Clint Eastwood] Off screen Clint is articulate and intelligent, not quiet or laconic like the cowboys and GIs he plays in films.

[When he was battling prostate cancer]: The challenge is to live long enough to raise my children.

[on being offered the role of "Kojak" (1973)]: I'll do "Kojak: The Marcus-Nelson Murders (#1.0)" (1973), but I don't want to do a series. How can I do the one role? I mean, I have to verify my life. My life is a variety, I can't be stuck with one character. It won't sell.

Even with the crazies I've played I've tried to give some dimension to their insanity.

I was born with a romantic nature and I'll carry it to my grave.

I don't play that far away from myself because then I think people would say I was acting.

[In 1974]: Kojak is the kind of guy who couldn't arrest a hooker, he'd send her home. He operates on instinct and decency, but if you give him any lip he'll throw you out a window.

[on taking the risk of starring in "Kojak" (1973)]: If they had told me about the series, I never would have done the movie, I got aboard this thing by accident. I wasn't emotionally ready for a series. I like to move around, but now at least 98 per cent of my personality is in abeyance. There is the applause; I love it!

[Of his mother, Christina Savalas]: Mama says to me, 'Being an actor is fine, but what are you going to do for a living?' I took my mother to the premiere of The Dirty Dozen and she said, 'It's disgraceful!' I asked her how she liked my role and she said, 'You were ridiculous!'

[In 1987]: I made 60 movies before 'Kojak' with some of the biggest names in the business, and people would still say, 'There goes what's-his-name.'

[In 1973]: The second show I did on TV, I was the lead. I made $900 and I was having fun saying some other guy's words. This is a dangerous profession for the ego.

I came from a tough neighborhood. I used to be a 'Dirty Greek,' But my father used to say to me, 'When you grow up and realize what your heritage means, then they'll need a permit to speak to you.' He was right. I'm a proud Greek. I carry my Hellenism like a badge of merit.

[Of his late father, Nick Savalas]: One day he was a millionaire. The next day, with the Depression, not a penny in his pocket. He packs his five kids in the back of a van and goes to New York and begins selling cakes. That's what I call a Greek.

[In 1989]: Now, I let someone else do all the running.

I'm a romantic realist. I knew I would become a star, just as I know some day the bubble will burst.

[When he became a popular nightclub singer]: I had the No. 1 record in England, knocking Mick Jagger off the top of the pops. I to close the generation gap.

Proof that diamonds are a girl's best friend, would be displayed only in the most select museums in the world.

[on his popularity while playing the fifty-something Lt. Theo Kojak on Kojak]: There's no question that experience is more important and rewarding to someone who is an actor. My approach to Kojak in any situation would be my own approach. How I would react and respond? That's basically true whether I'm portraying a cop or a candlestick maker.

[Who had been offered a series wasn't getting used to all the police shows on TV that have been aired at the time]: Television doesn't need another cop show, that's for sure. But this is an interesting cop, a real cop from a New York City neighborhood. A basically honest character, tough but with feelings: the kind of guy who might kick a hooker in the tail if he had to, but they'd understand each other because maybe they grew up on the same kind of block.

[After he graduated from college who then became disenchanted]: This bastard! This gangster Freud! It's all crap-just a language for unemployed actors to amuse themselves with!

[When reflected the times he had with his father]: Our happiest times were at the bottom of the ladder. One day he dragged us out of private schools, and the next day we started peddling cakes out of the back of a truck.

[When he was visiting in New York City]: I'm hoping that you're not caught in the layoffs.

[In 1975]: Kojak is no supercop. I'm just a neighborhood kid.

[In 1977]: It will be a sad day when I begin thinking of all this as work. I enjoy every minute of it.

On 'Kojak,' I improvise a lot of the dialogue. And I've directed five episodes of the series so I've had some experience at it...The talent was given me at an early age. What the hell, I've been directing things since I was a year old.

[on being a spelling winner]: I'm thrilled that's what I called 'the greatest frustration of my life,' will finally be righted.