Telly Savalas Add to My Celebs Age 72 (passed away Jan. 22nd, 1994) Birthday Jan. 21st, 1922 Born in Garden City, Long Island, New York, USA Height 5' 10"

Telly Savalas' Main TV Roles Show Character(s) Kojak (1973) Lt. Theo Ko… The Commish Tommy Colle… 200 Greatest Pop Culture Icons Telly Savalas Acapulco Carver Bob Hope Presents The Chrysler Theatre Mueller Grindl Mr. Hartman Channing Professor Dateline: Hollywood Telly Savalas Diagnosis: Unknown Irish Tony … The Aquanauts Paul Price

Main Movie Roles 1999 - Go 1987 - Faceless 1984 - Cannonball Run II 1979 - Beyond the Poseidon Adventure 1979 - The Muppet Movie 1979 - Escape to Athena 1978 - Capricorn One 1972 - Horror Express 1970 - Città violenta 1970 - Kelly's Heroes 1969 - Mackenna's Gold 1969 - On Her Majesty's Secret Service 1969 - Land Raiders 1968 - The Scalphunters 1967 - The Karate Killers 1967 - The Dirty Dozen 1965 - The Greatest Story Ever Told 1965 - Genghis Khan 1965 - Battle of the Bulge 1964 - The New Interns 1962 - Cape Fear 1962 - Birdman of Alcatraz 1961 - Mad Dog Coll

NOTE: Complete List of Works can be found at IMDB


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 The Marcus-Nelson Murders (1973) (TV) was expanded into the gritty "Kojak" (1973) TV series, lasting from 1973-78.


TRIVIA:

• Was originally slated to play Luke in _Cool Hand Luke (1967)_ (qv), but the producers were unable to wait for him to complete his boat trip from Europe to the U.S. Therefore, 'Paul Newman (I)' (qv) played the role instead.
• Has the distinction of playing two Alcatraz prison inmates; Feto Gomez in _Birdman of Alcatraz (1962)_ (qv) and Cretzer in _Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story (1980) (TV)_ (qv).
• Loved to read historical biographies and, somewhat surprisingly, romance novels.
• He wasn't the first choice to audition for _"Kojak" (1973)_ (qv), when 'Marlon Brando' (qv) had been offered the role.
• Of Greek descent.
• Uncle of Australian-born actor Peter Cavnoudias.
• His brother, 'George Savalas' (qv), starred in _"Kojak" (1973)_ (qv) with him.
• Reason why he sucked on a lollipop during _"Kojak" (1973)_ (qv): to help him to quit smoking.

Telly Savalas Photos

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