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Telly Savalas person

Telly Savalas

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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) TV Show
Kojak (1973)
The Commish TV Show
The Commish
200 Greatest Pop Culture Icons TV Show
200 Greatest Pop Culture Icons
Acapulco TV Show
Acapulco
Bob Hope Presents The Chrysler Theatre TV Show
Bob Hope Presents The Chrysler Theatre
Grindl TV Show
Grindl
Channing TV Show
Channing
Dateline: Hollywood TV Show
Dateline: Hollywood
Diagnosis: Unknown TV Show
Diagnosis: Unknown
The Aquanauts TV Show
The Aquanauts
 

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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