Details About Telly Savalas: Children, Daughter, Brother, Net Worth

Known for movies

Short Info

Date Of Birth	January 21, 1922
Died	January 22, 1994, Universal City, California, United States
Spouse	Julie Hovland (m. 1984–1994), Marilyn Gardner (m. 1960–1974), Katherine Nicolaides (m. 1948–1957)
Mark	Deep, gravelly voice.
Fact	His eldest daughter, Christina, was named after his mother.

Telly Savalas was an American actor and singer, best known for his starring role as Detective Lieutenant Theo Kojak on the CBS police drama Kojak (1973–78).

Early Life

Savalas was born on January 21, 1922, in Garden City, New York, the son of Greek immigrants. His father, Nick Savalas, was a waiter and his mother, Christina, was a homemaker. He had four brothers: Gus, George, Paul, and Steve.

Savalas attended Sewanhaka High School in Floral Park, New York, and graduated in 1940. He then enrolled at Columbia University in New York City, where he studied psychology and sociology. He interrupted his studies after the United States entered World War II and joined the United States Army. He served in the Army from 1942 to 1945.

After the war, Savalas returned to Columbia University and earned a bachelor’s degree in 1948. He then enrolled at the Actors Studio in New York City.

Career

Savalas began his career in the early 1950s as a supporting actor on television. He appeared on such shows as The Phil Silvers Show, The Untouchables, and Naked City.

In 1960, Savalas guest-starred on an episode of The Twilight Zone titled “The Four of Us Are Dying”. The episode was later adapted into a book by Rod Serling.

In 1967, Savalas appeared in the film The Dirty Dozen as the character Maggot. The film was a critical and commercial success.

In 1973, Savalas was cast as Detective Lieutenant Theo Kojak in the CBS police drama Kojak. The show was a hit and ran for five seasons. Savalas won an Emmy Award for his performance on the show in 1974.

In 1978, Savalas appeared in the film Capricorn One. The film was a box office success.

In 1980, Savalas guest-starred on an episode of Magnum, P.I..

In 1984, Savalas appeared in the film The Dirty Dozen: The Fatal Mission. The film was a box office success.

In 1985, Savalas guest-starred on an episode of Miami Vice.

In 1986, Savalas appeared in the film The Dirty Dozen: The Deadly Mission. The film was a box office success.

In 1987, Savalas guest-starred on an episode of Hunter.

In 1988, Savalas appeared in the film The Dirty Dozen: The Final Mission. The film was a box office success.

Savalas continued to appear in films and television throughout the 1990s and 2000s. His final film appearance was in the 2009 film Inglourious Basterds.

Savalas died of bladder cancer on January 22, 1994, at the age of 72.

General Info

Full Name	Telly Savalas
Date Of Birth	January 21, 1922
Died	January 22, 1994, Universal City, California, United States
Height	1.78 m
Profession	Actor, Singer, Television Director
Education	Columbia University School of General Studies, Sewanhaka High School, Columbia University
Nationality	American

Family

Spouse	Julie Hovland (m. 1984–1994), Marilyn Gardner (m. 1960–1974), Katherine Nicolaides (m. 1948–1957)
Children	Ariana Savalas, Nick Savalas, Candace Savalas, Christian Savalas, Penélope Savalas, Christina Savalas
Parents	Christina Savalas, Nick Savalas
Siblings	George Savalas, Gus Savalas, Teddy Savalas

Accomplishments

Awards	Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Drama, People's Choice Award for Favorite Male TV Performer
Nominations	Academy Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture, Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series, Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Single Performance By An Actor In A Leading Role, TV Land Favorite Private Eye A...
Movies	On Her Majesty's Secret Service, Kelly's Heroes, The Dirty Dozen, Birdman of Alcatraz, Horror Express, Battle of the Bulge, The Scalphunters, The Greatest Story Ever Told, Mackenna's Gold, Cape Fear, Pretty Maids All in a Row, Beyond the Poseidon Adventure, Lisa and the Devil, Escape to Athena, The ...
TV Shows	Kojak, Acapulco

Social profile links

IMDB	http://imdb.com/name/nm0001699

Marks

#	Marks / Signs
1	Bald head.
2	Deep, gravelly voice.
3	Several of his characters have a Greek personality.
4	Frequently plays dangerous, tough characters.
5	The catchphrase, "Who loves ya, baby?"

Quotes

#	Quote
1	[When he was relaxing, shooting exteriors along with some interior scenes for next season's Kojak (1973)]: Everybody's always telling me they have an Uncle Harry who looks just like me. That's 90% of my appeal.
2	[In 1976]: I'm just a kid from New York who looks like everybody else.
3	[Who didn't need to worry so much about the Titanic show, when he agreed to host it]: I didn't need any assurance that there would be anything in the safe. The fact that these guys went down 2 1/2 miles and came up with anything was an achievement in itself. I've been making believe as a detective for so long, that it was very exciting to be involved in something very, very real.
4	[In 1981]: It was in 1959 I got my first role. I was to play the Greek judge who decides to give a Greek boy to a visiting American journalist. It was a small role and paid only $200, but I haven't stopped since.
5	[on being a spelling winner]: I'm thrilled that's what I called 'the greatest frustration of my life,' will finally be righted.
6	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.
7	[In 1977]: It will be a sad day when I begin thinking of all this as work. I enjoy every minute of it.
8	[In 1975]: Kojak is no supercop. I'm just a neighborhood kid.
9	[When he was visiting in New York City]: I'm hoping that you're not caught in the layoffs.
10	[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.
11	[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!
12	[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.
13	[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.
14	Proof that diamonds are a girl's best friend, would be displayed only in the most select museums in the world.
15	[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.
16	I'm a romantic realist. I knew I would become a star, just as I know some day the bubble will burst.
17	[In 1989]: Now, I let someone else do all the running.
18	[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.
19	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.
20	[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.
21	[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.'
22	[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!'
23	[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!
24	[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.
25	I don't play that far away from myself because then I think people would say I was acting.
26	I was born with a romantic nature and I'll carry it to my grave.
27	Even with the crazies I've played I've tried to give some dimension to their insanity.
28	[on being offered the role of Kojak (1973)]: I'll do Kojak: The Marcus-Nelson Murders (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.
29	[When he was battling prostate cancer]: The challenge is to live long enough to raise my children.
30	[on Clint Eastwood] Off screen Clint is articulate and intelligent, not quiet or laconic like the cowboys and GIs he plays in films.
31	Who loves ya, baby?
32	We're all born bald, baby.

Facts

#	Fact
1	He was most widely known to be a social butterfly.
2	He was known to be a very busy actor.
3	Daughter Ariana sings and tours with Scott Bradlee's Post Modern Jukebox.
4	On Kojak (1973), his character was of Greek American heritage, in real-life, Savalas was also of Greek American heritage.
5	He had performed a voice over for a 70s nature series on Yosemite National Park.
6	On Kojak (1973), he worked with George Savalas's character at the police station, in real-life, Savalas was (of course) George's second older brother.
7	He and his The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965) co-stars Donald Pleasence and Max von Sydow all later played the Bond villain Ernst Stavro Blofeld: Pleasence in You Only Live Twice (1967), Savalas in On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969) and von Sydow in Never Say Never Again (1983).
8	Singing ran in his family.
9	[11 December 1993] When Savalas was hospitalized at Huntington Memorial Hospital for bladder cancer, it had already spread to his hip bones and pancreas and was terminal.
10	His birthplace, Garden City, New York, is 24 miles, west of New York City, New York.
11	At least nine actors named him as their favorite actor: Bruce Kirby, Catlin Adams, Sally Kirkland, Michael Constantine, Louise Sorel, Ken Kercheval, Tige Andrews, Danny Thomas and Alex Rocco, all nine worked with him on Kojak (1973).
12	Was always close to his family.
13	Survived by 5 children, 4 grandchildren, 2 brothers, 1 sister and his wife.
14	His ex-Kojak (1973) co-star, Kevin Dobson, had said in an interview, he was his best and dearest friend.
15	Ernest Borgnine and Angie Dickinson attended his funeral.
16	His ex-girlfriend, Sally Sheridan, filed a $5 million palimony suit against Savalas, eventually settling for a reported $1 million.
17	Before his death, he was worried about Nick, who had made tabloid headlines with his public spats with his ex-girlfriend Tori Spelling.
18	Up until his mother's death in 1988, his mother lived in a suite a few floors above his own at the Sheraton-Universal, with the actor paying all the expenses.
19	Long before Carrie McDowell became a member of the Christian pop/dance duo, 'Two Hearts,' with her husband, Michael Hodge, she once opened a show with him, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
20	Had attended an audition for the CBS anthology series Armstrong Circle Theatre (1950), intending to prompt an actor friend who was up for a role, in 1959. Instead, the casting director took Savalas's sinister demeanor into account and cast him in a character part, which led to other TV assignments and movie roles.
21	His ex-Kojak (1973) co-star, Kevin Dobson and Savalas's best friend, John Aniston, worked together on Days of Our Lives (1965).
22	Long lives ran in his family.
23	Originated the phrase, "Who Loves Ya, Baby?", for Kojak (1973).
24	Before the Depression era of 1929, his father was a millionaire.
25	He starred in 56 films, in 21 of them he was cast as a villain.
26	Also owned a stone ranch house in Rancho Mirage, California and a luxurious four-bedroom apartment in London, England.
27	Met Angie Dickinson in the movie Pretty Maids All in a Row (1971). They were friends until his death in 1994.
28	His mother, Christina Kapsalis Savalas, met his father, Nicholas, who had emigrated from the Village of Gerakas, as a youth, in the United States. She was chosen for her beauty to represent Greek women at the 1939 World's Fair.
29	His mother, Christina Savalas, had left the village of Anogia, three miles from Sparta, as a child.
30	Was a heavy smoker.
31	Began his show Kojak (1973) at age 51.
32	As a philanthropist and philhellene, Savalas supported many Hellenic causes and made friends in major cities around the world. In Chicago, Telly often met with Illinois State Senators Steven G. Nash and Samuel Maragos, also Greeks, as well as Greek millionaire Simeon Frangos, who owned the famous Athens North nightclub and the Flying Carpet Hotel near O'Hare Airport.
33	His brother, Gus Savalas, was a retired Foreign Service Officer who once served four years at the U.S. Embassy in Athens, Greece.
34	Resided at the Sheraton-Universal Sheraton Hotel in Universal City, California, from 1973 until his death in 1994, becoming such a fixture at the hotel bar that it was renamed Telly's.
35	His father, Nick Savalas, was a hard worker, first at odd jobs, then as a businessman in cigarettes, restaurant supplies and general contracting.
36	Along with Bob Hope and Linda Evans, Savalas participated in the 'World Premiere' Television Ad introducing Diet Coke to Americans.
37	Acting ran in his family.
38	His paternal grandfather, Kostas the Painter, lived to age 100 and became one of the area's most famous artists.
39	His parents, Nick and Christina Savalas, met in the United States and immigrated from Greece in 1915.
40	Telly Savalas passed away on January 21, 1994. His longtime friend and co-star, Burt Lancaster, passed away 9 months after him.
41	A singer, Savalas had some chart success. His spoken word version of Bread's "If" produced by Snuff Garrett was #1 in Europe for 10 weeks in 1975 and his sung version of Don Williams's "Some Broken Hearts Never Mend" topped the charts in 1980.
42	Longtime friend Danny Thomas guest-starred on the last episode of Kojak (1973).
43	Before he was a successful actor, in the United States Army during World War II, Savalas was working for the US State Department as host of the show, 'Your Voice of America.'.
44	Appeared on the front cover of TV Guide 5 times.
45	In Pretty Maids All in a Row (1971), he played a police captain, on Kojak (1973), he played a police lieutenant.
46	Acting mentor and friend of Kevin Dobson.
47	Was a spokesperson for the Ford Motor Company in the early 1980s.
48	Most of his enlistment records were destroyed in a fire at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1973.
49	Three of his six children followed in their father's footsteps into acting.
50	Savalas qualified for the 1992 World Series of Poker in Las Vegas, Nevada, and he finished among the top 25 players in the tournament.
51	His mother, Christina Kapsalis Savalas, was a New York City artist, and his father, Nick Savalas, was the owner of many Greek restaurants.
52	Named his son Nick Savalas after his father.
53	His final films, Mind Twister (1994) and Backfire! (1995), were dedicated to his memory.
54	Never retired from acting.
55	Attended the funeral of best friend, Danny Thomas, when the actor passed away in 1991.
56	Was good friends with producer/director Irwin Allen, appearing in his Beyond the Poseidon Adventure (1979), and Alice in Wonderland (1985).
57	Lived with Sally Sheridan from 1969 to 1978. Her daughter from a previous relationship is Nicollette Sheridan, who considered Savalas as her father.
58	His eldest daughter, Christina, was named after his mother.
59	Was raised nearby the same city as Brian Keith.
60	Was a spokesperson for the Players' Club Gold Card from 1981 to 1990.
61	Remained good friends with Kevin Dobson during and after Kojak (1973).
62	He was an active liberal Democrat.
63	Worked at the Garden City Theatre Center where he met and fell in love with Marilyn Gardner.
64	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.
65	He wasn't the first choice to audition for Kojak (1973), when Marlon Brando had been offered the role.
66	His father, Nick Savalas, died in 1948. His mother, Christina Savalas, died in 1988, at age 84.
67	Was very good friends with: Julie London, Doug McClure, Dan Frazer, Diana Rigg, Gavin MacLeod, Bernie Kopell, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Bob Hope, Dean Martin, Johnny Carson, Robert Conrad, Larry Manetti, George Burns, Karl Malden, Ernest Borgnine, Irwin Allen, Robert Stack, Dinah Shore, Anthony Quinn, Lee Marvin, Burt Lancaster, Angie Dickinson, Danny Thomas, Robert Alda, Jamie Farr, Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Elliott Gould, Ricardo Montalban, Charles Bronson, Roddy McDowall, Don Rickles, Gene Barry, Michael Constantine, Rock Hudson, Shelley Winters, Gregory Peck, Dom DeLuise, Barbara Eden, Omar Sharif, David Janssen, Mickey Rooney, Beverly Garland, Mark Russell and George Savalas.
68	Best remembered by the public for his starring role as the title character in Kojak (1973).
69	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.
70	Underwent successful surgery for prostate cancer in 1989, but in 1991 was diagnosed with bladder cancer which spread to his bones and pancreas.
71	Loved to read historical biographies and, somewhat surprisingly, romance novels.
72	Enjoyed watching Jeopardy! (1984).
73	Born on the same day as Benny Hill, who impersonated Savalas's Kojak (1973) character on The Benny Hill Show (1969).
74	Uncle of Australian-born actor Peter Cavnoudias.
75	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.
76	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.
77	In 1990 the city of New York declared Kojak: The Marcus-Nelson Murders (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).
78	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.
79	Loved gambling and was a very successful gambler, winning many Vegas poker tournaments and losing few.
80	Owned a wide variety of automobiles, including Cadillacs, Lincolns, Fords, Pontiacs, Mercedes and DeLoreans.
81	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.
82	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).
83	Had a fear of flying. Ironically, he played a pilot in Capricorn One (1977).
84	He didn't appear in his first film until he was 37.
85	Of Greek descent and spoke Greek fluently.
86	Would always refuse to talk about his service during World War II.
87	Met his last wife, Julie Hovland, on the set of Kojak (1973) in 1977. She was a travel agent from Minnesota.
88	Graduated from Sewanhaka High School in Floral Park, New York, in 1940.
89	Reason why he sucked on a lollipop during Kojak (1973): to help him to quit smoking.
90	Left index finger was deformed.
91	Hosted a popular radio program, "Telly's Coffeehouse," in the early 1950s.
92	Met his first wife (Katherine) at a Greek dance while attending Columbia University.
93	Was involved in a serious car accident in Virginia during his hitch in the army.
94	When he worked as a lifeguard, he failed to save a man from drowning, and was troubled by the memory forever after.
95	Attended Columbia University in New York, New York.
96	Interred at the George Washington Section of Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles, California, USA.
97	Purchased a house in the Southern California desert community of Palm Desert because he enjoyed playing golf so much.
98	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.
99	Was the second of 5 children.
100	Was a member of Company C, 12th Medical Training Battalion, 4th Medical Training Regiment at Camp Pickett, Virginia.
101	Before becoming an actor, he had many odd jobs, from newspaper vendor to lifeguard.
102	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).
103	He was an accomplished poker player.
104	Early in his career, he directed stage plays at a theater in Connecticut.
105	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 played the role instead.
106	Was friends with actor John Aniston and named godfather of Jennifer Aniston.
107	Telly Savalas passed away on January 22, 1994. Just 1 day before his death, he celebrated his 72nd and last birthday with his family, friends and colleagues at the Universal Sheraton Inn in Universal City, California.
108	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).
109	His younger brother, George Savalas, starred in Kojak (1973) with him.
110	He used off-script phrases and mottoes in Greek during filming.
111	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 (1973) and its spin-off series, Kojak (1973).

Pictures

All pictures

Movies

Actor

Title	Year	Status	Character
Backfire!	1995		Most Evil Man
Mind Twister	1994		Richard Howland
The Commish	1992-1993	TV Series	Tommy Collette Tommy Colette
Ein Schloß am Wörthersee	1991-1993	TV Series	Teddy
Rose Against the Odds	1991	TV Movie	George Parnassus
Kojak: Flowers for Matty	1990	TV Movie	Inspector Theo Kojak
Kojak: It's Always Something	1990	TV Movie	Inspector Theo Kojak
Kojak: None So Blind	1990	TV Movie	Inspector Theo Kojak
Kojak: Ariana	1989	TV Movie	Kojak
Kojak: Fatal Flaw	1989	TV Movie	Theo Kojak
The Hollywood Detective	1989	TV Movie	Harry Bell
The Dirty Dozen: The Fatal Mission	1988	TV Movie	Maj. Wright
J.J. Starbuck	1987	TV Series	The Greek
The Equalizer	1987	TV Series	Brother Joseph Heiden
Faceless	1987		Terry Hallen
Dirty Dozen: The Deadly Mission	1987	TV Movie	Maj. Wright
Kojak: The Price of Justice	1987	TV Movie	Inspector Theo Kojak
GoBots: Battle of the Rock Lords	1986		Magmar (voice)
Solomon's Universe	1985	TV Movie	Solomon Stark
Alice in Wonderland	1985	TV Movie	The Cheshire Cat
George Burns Comedy Week	1985	TV Series
Kojak: The Belarus File	1985	TV Movie	Lieutenant Theo Kojak
The Love Boat	1985	TV Series	Dr. Fabian Cain
The Cartier Affair	1984	TV Movie	Phil Drexler
Cannonball Run II	1984		Hymie Kaplan
Afghanistan pourquoi?	1983		Rebel Leader
Fake-Out	1982		Lt. Thurston
American Playhouse	1982	TV Series
Tales of the Unexpected	1981	TV Series	Joe Brisson
Hellinger's Law	1981	TV Movie	Nick Hellinger
Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story	1980	TV Movie	Cretzer
Border Cop	1980		Frank Cooper
Alice	1979	TV Series	Telly Savalas
The Muppet Movie	1979		El Sleezo Tough
Beyond the Poseidon Adventure	1979		Captain Stefan Svevo
Escape to Athena	1979		Zeno
The French Atlantic Affair	1979	TV Mini-Series	Father Craig Dunleavy
Windows, Doors & Keyholes	1978	TV Movie
Kojak	1973-1978	TV Series	Lt. Theo Kojak
Beyond Reason	1977		Dr. Nicholas Mati
Capricorn One	1977		Albain
Killer Force	1976		Harry Webb
Inside Out	1975		Harry Morgan
The House of Exorcism	1975		Leandro
Am laufenden Band	1975	TV Series	Singer / Kojak
She Cried Murder	1973	TV Movie	Inspector Joe Brody
Lisa and the Devil	1973		Leandro
Senza ragione	1973		Memphis
A Reason to Live, a Reason to Die	1972		Maggiore Ward
Pancho Villa	1972		Pancho Villa
Visions...	1972	TV Movie	Lt. Phil Keegan
L'assassino... è al telefono	1972		Ranko Drasovic
Horror Express	1972		Captain Kazan
Sonny and Jed	1972		Sheriff Franciscus
Crime Boss	1972		Don Vincenzo
Mongo's Back in Town	1971	TV Movie	Lieutenant Pete Tolstad
Clay Pigeon	1971		Redford
A Town Called Hell	1971		Don Carlos
ITV Saturday Night Theatre	1971	TV Series	Gregor Antonescu
Pretty Maids All in a Row	1971		Surcher
The Red Skelton Hour	1970	TV Series	Tex
The Family	1970		Al Weber
Kelly's Heroes	1970		Big Joe
On Her Majesty's Secret Service	1969		Blofeld
Land Raiders	1969		Vicente Cardenas
Sophie's Place	1969		Herbie Haseler
Mackenna's Gold	1969		Sergeant Tibbs
The Assassination Bureau	1969		Lord Bostwick
Buona Sera, Mrs. Campbell	1968		Walter Braddock
The Scalphunters	1968		Jim Howie
Sol Madrid	1968		Emil Dietrich
Cimarron Strip	1967	TV Series	Bear
Garrison's Gorillas	1967	TV Series	Wheeler
The Dirty Dozen	1967		Archer Maggott
Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre	1967	TV Series	Mueller
The Man from U.N.C.L.E.	1967	TV Series	Count Valeriano De Fanzini
The F.B.I.	1967	TV Series	Ed Clementi
Combat!	1964-1967	TV Series	Jon / Colonel Kapsalis
Beau Geste	1966		Sgt. Maj. Dagineau
The Fugitive	1964-1966	TV Series	Steve Keller / Victor Leonetti / Dan Polichek
The Virginian	1966	TV Series	'Colonel' Bliss
Battle of the Bulge	1965		Sgt. Guffy
The Slender Thread	1965		Dr. Joe Coburn
Run for Your Life	1965	TV Series	Istvan Zabor
Bonanza	1965	TV Series	Charles Augustus Hackett
Genghis Khan	1965		Shan
John Goldfarb, Please Come Home!	1965		Macmuid (Harem Recruiter) (uncredited)
Burke's Law	1963-1965	TV Series	Balakirov aka Richard Goldtooth / Charlie Prince / Fakir George O'Shea
The Greatest Story Ever Told	1965		Pontius Pilate
Fanfare for a Death Scene	1964	TV Movie	Ikhedai Khan
The Rogues	1964	TV Series	Gen. Hector Jesus Diaz
The New Interns	1964		Dr. Dominick 'Dom' Riccio
Kraft Suspense Theatre	1964	TV Series	Ramon Castillo / Raymond Castle / Beret
Breaking Point	1964	TV Series	Vincenzo Gracchi
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour	1964	TV Series	Philadelphia Harry
Arrest and Trial	1964	TV Series	Frank Santo
Channing	1964	TV Series	Paul Atherton
The Twilight Zone	1963	TV Series	Erich Streator
77 Sunset Strip	1963	TV Series	Brother Hendricksen
Johnny Cool	1963		Vincenzo 'Vince' Santangelo
Grindl	1963	TV Series	Mr. Hartman
Love Is a Ball	1963		Dr. Christian Gump (Millie's uncle)
The Man from the Diners' Club	1963		Foots Pulardos
Empire	1963	TV Series	Tibor
The Dakotas	1963	TV Series	Jake Volet
The Eleventh Hour	1963	TV Series	Ben Cohen
The Untouchables	1961-1963	TV Series	Leo Stazak / Matt Bass / Wally Baltzer
Alcoa Premiere	1962	TV Series	Mario Lombardi
The Interns	1962		Dr. Dominic Riccio
Birdman of Alcatraz	1962		Feto Gomez
Cape Fear	1962		Private Detective Charles Sievers
Cain's Hundred	1961-1962	TV Series	Harry Rennick / Frank Meehan
The Sin of Jesus	1961	Short	Felix (as Telli Savales)
Ben Casey	1961	TV Series	George Dempsey
The Detectives	1961	TV Series	Ben Willis
The Dick Powell Theatre	1961	TV Series	Sergeant Marius
King of Diamonds	1961	TV Series	Massis / Jerry Larch
The New Breed	1961	TV Series	Dr. Buel Reed
The Young Savages	1961		Detective Lt. Gunderson
Mad Dog Coll	1961		Lt. Darro
Acapulco	1961	TV Series	Mr. Carver
The Aquanauts	1961	TV Series	Paul Price
The United States Steel Hour	1960	TV Series
The Witness	1960	TV Series	Al Capone Lucky Luciano
Naked City	1960	TV Series	Gabe Hody
Armstrong Circle Theatre	1959-1960	TV Series	Dieter Wislieny / Dieter Wisliceny / Father Dominique Georges Henn Pire / ...
Dow Hour of Great Mysteries	1960	TV Series
Diagnosis: Unknown	1960	TV Series	Irish Tony Salivarro
Sunday Showcase	1959	TV Series	Cotton

Soundtrack

Title	Year	Status
W imie...	2013	performer: "Some Broken Hearts Never Mend"
The Break-Up	2006	performer: "Who Loves Ya Baby"
Ein Schloß am Wörthersee	1993	TV Series performer - 1 episode
The 59th Annual Academy Awards	1987	TV Special performer: "Fugue for Tinhors"
Alice in Wonderland	1985	TV Movie performer: "There's No Way Home"
Telly... Who Loves Ya Baby?	1976	TV Special performer: "Who Loves Ya, Baby?", "The Men in My Little Girl's Life"
Top of the Pops	1975	TV Series performer - 1 episode
Disco	1975	TV Series performer - 1 episode
Kojak	1975	TV Series performer - 1 episode
The 46th Annual Academy Awards	1974	TV Special performer: " You're So Nice to Be Around"
Pancho Villa	1972	performer: "We All End Up the Same"

Director

Title	Year	Status
Kojak	1974-1978	TV Series 5 episodes
Beyond Reason	1977
Report to New York	1959	TV Series

Writer

Title	Year	Status	Character
Beyond Reason	1977	screenplay

Thanks

Title	Year	Status	Character
Backfire!	1995	in memory of

Self

Title	Year	Status	Character
Later with Bob Costas	1989	TV Series	Himself
The Wil Shriner Show	1987	TV Series	Himself
The 59th Annual Academy Awards	1987	TV Special	Himself - Performer
Hour Magazine	1987	TV Series	Himself
The 38th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards	1986	TV Special	Himself
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson	1964-1985	TV Series	Himself / Himself - Guest / Himself - Guest Host
The 37th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards	1985	TV Special	Himself - Presenter: Outstanding Drama Series
Late Night with David Letterman	1985	TV Series	Himself
AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Gene Kelly	1985	TV Special documentary	Himself (uncredit)
Aspel & Company	1985	TV Series	Himself
Einer wird gewinnen	1984	TV Series	Himself
AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Lillian Gish	1984	TV Special documentary	Himself (uncredited)
The 41st Annual Golden Globe Awards	1984	TV Special	Himself - Presenter
James Bond: The First 21 Years	1983	TV Movie documentary	Himself / Ernst Stavro Blofeld
Dom DeLuise and Friends	1983	TV Series	Himself
Telly Savalas Looks at Aberdeen	1981	Documentary short	Himself - Narrator
Telly Savalas Looks at Portsmouth	1981	Documentary short	Himself - Narrator
International Pro-Celebrity Golf: Six of the Best	1981	TV Series	Himself
Musikladen	1980-1981	TV Series	Himself / Himself - Duet with Pam Rose
The John Davidson Show	1981	TV Series	Himself
Telly Savalas Looks at Birmingham	1981	Documentary short	Himself - Narrator (voice)
The 52nd Annual Academy Awards	1980	TV Special	Himself - Co-Presenter: Best Short Film, Animated & Live Action
The 51st Annual Academy Awards	1979	TV Special documentary	Himself - Co-Presenter: Best Actor in a Supporting Role
A Salute to American Imagination	1978	TV Movie documentary	Himself / Co-Host
V.I.P.-Schaukel	1975-1978	TV Series documentary	Himself / Singer
CBS: On the Air	1978	TV Mini-Series documentary	Co-host - part I
The Mike Douglas Show	1975-1978	TV Series	Himself - Actor
The Bob Hope Comedy Special from Palm Springs	1978	TV Movie	Himself
The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast: Frank Sinatra	1978	TV Special	Himself
Circus of the Stars #2	1977	TV Special	Himself - Ringmaster
Battle of the Network Stars III	1977	TV Special	Himself - Host
The 29th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards	1977	TV Special	Himself - Presenter
CBS Galaxy	1977	TV Special	Himself - Guest
Les rendez-vous du dimanche	1977	TV Series	Himself
Paul Anka ... Music My Way	1977	TV Special	Himself - Cameo
Battle of the Network Stars II	1977	TV Special	Himself - ABC Team
The 3rd Annual People's Choice Awards	1977	TV Special	Himself - Winner: Favourite Male Television Performer
Battle of the Network Stars	1976	TV Special	Himself - CBS Team Captain
The 28th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards	1976	TV Special	Himself - Presenter
The 48th Annual Academy Awards	1976	TV Special	Himself - Presenter: Best Costume Design
Dinah!	1974-1976	TV Series	Himself
Joys	1976	TV Special	Himself
Telly... Who Loves Ya Baby?	1976	TV Special	Himself
Friars Club Tribute to Gene Kelly	1976	TV Movie	Himself - Performer
Top of the Pops	1975	TV Series	Himself
The Royal Variety Performance	1975	TV Movie	Himself
The Norman Gunston Show	1975	TV Series	Himself
Disco	1975	TV Series	Himself
Tony Orlando and Dawn	1975	TV Series	Himself
The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast: Telly Savalas	1974	TV Special	Himself
The Carol Burnett Show	1974	TV Series	Himself
The 46th Annual Academy Awards	1974	TV Special	Himself - Performer
The 16th Annual Grammy Awards	1974	TV Special	Himself
The Dean Martin Show	1974	TV Series	Himself
The Merv Griffin Show	1974	TV Series	Himself
Dinah Shore: In Search of the Ideal Man	1973	TV Special	Himself
The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour	1973	TV Series	Himself / Various Characters
NFL Players Association Awards Dinner	1973	TV Special	Himself - Guest
Jack Paar Tonite	1973	TV Series	Himself
Cinema	1971	TV Series documentary	Himself
The Virginia Graham Show	1971	TV Series	Himself
Celebrity Bowling	1971	TV Series 1973
The David Frost Show	1970	TV Series	Himself
Above It All	1969	Documentary short	Himself (uncredited)
Swiss Movement	1969	Documentary short	Himself
Operation Dirty Dozen	1967	Short documentary	Himself
Dateline: Hollywood	1967	TV Series	Himself
The Pat Boone Show	1967	TV Series	Himself
The Linkletter Show	1963	TV Series	Himself
The 35th Annual Academy Awards	1963	TV Special	Himself - Nominee: Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Here's Hollywood	1961	TV Series	Himself
Biography	2000	TV Series documentary	Himself
Golden Globes 50th Anniversary Celebration	1994	TV Movie	Himself
The Extraordinary	1994	TV Series	Himself
AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Elizabeth Taylor	1993	TV Special documentary	Himself (uncredited)
One on One with John Tesh	1991	TV Series	Himself
Telly Savalas: The ABCs of Winning Blackjack	1990	Video documentary	Host
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade	1989	TV Movie	Himself
The Arsenio Hall Show	1989	TV Series	Himself

Archive Footage

Title	Year	Status	Character
Premium Bond with Mark Gatiss and Matthew Sweet	2015	TV Movie documentary	Blofield
The Shadow of 'Spectre'	2015	Video documentary short	Blofelds
Dante's Domicile	2015	TV Series	Captain Kazan
America's Clown: An Intimate Biography of Red Skelton	2014	Video	Tex
Alfonso Sansone produttore per caso	2014
Eurocrime! The Italian Cop and Gangster Films That Ruled the '70s	2012	Documentary	Himself
Paul Williams Still Alive	2011	Documentary	Himself
Sønner av Norge	2011		Theo Kojak (uncredited)
Edición Especial Coleccionista	2010	TV Series	Frank Cooper
Wrangler: Anatomy of an Icon	2008	Documentary	Himself
La imagen de tu vida	2006	TV Series	Lt. Theo Kojak
Total Cops	2003	TV Movie documentary	Himself
The Greatest	2001-2003	TV Series documentary	Himself / Kojak
I Love Christmas	2001	TV Special documentary
Hollywood Remembers Lee Marvin	2000	TV Movie documentary	Archer Maggott
I Love 1970's	2000	TV Series documentary	Himself / Kojak
Inside 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service'	2000	Video documentary short	Himself
The James Bond Story	1999	TV Movie documentary	Ernst Stavro Blofeld (uncredited)
Go	1999		Himself (in gambling video) (uncredited)
The Secrets of 007: The James Bond Files	1997	TV Movie documentary	Blofeld
The 66th Annual Academy Awards	1994	TV Special	Himself - Memorial Tribute
Give Me Your Answer True	1987	Documentary
Bonds Are Forever	1983	Video documentary	Ernst Stavro Blofeld / Himself
Margret Dünser, auf der Suche nach den Besonderen	1981	TV Movie documentary	Himself
Disco	1978-1980	TV Series	Himself / Comedy Guest
Top of the Pops	1975	TV Series	If
Lionpower from MGM	1967	Short	Emil Dietrich (uncredited)
Cosa Nostra, Arch Enemy of the FBI	1967	TV Movie	Ed Clementi
Mondo Hollywood	1967	Documentary	Himself (uncredited)
The Karate Killers	1967		Count Valeriano De Fanzini

Awards

Won Awards

Year	Award	Ceremony	Nomination	Movie
1983	Star on the Walk of Fame	Walk of Fame	Motion Picture	On 26 October 1983. At 6801 Hollywood Blvd.
1976	Golden Globe	Golden Globes, USA	Best Actor in a Television Series - Drama	Kojak (1973)
1976	People's Choice Award	People's Choice Awards, USA	Favorite Male TV Performer
1976	TP de Oro	TP de Oro, Spain	Best Foreign Actor (Mejor Actor Extranjero)	Kojak (1973)
1975	Golden Globe	Golden Globes, USA	Best TV Actor - Drama	Kojak (1973)
1975	Bambi	Bambi Awards	TV Series International	Kojak (1973)
1975	People's Choice Award	People's Choice Awards, USA	Favorite Male TV Performer	Tied with Alan Alda
1974	Primetime Emmy	Primetime Emmy Awards	Best Lead Actor in a Drama Series	Kojak (1973)

Nominated Awards

Year	Award	Ceremony	Nomination	Movie
2005	TV Land Award	TV Land Awards	Favorite Private Eye	Kojak (1973)
1978	Golden Globe	Golden Globes, USA	Best Actor in a Television Series - Drama	Kojak (1973)
1977	Golden Globe	Golden Globes, USA	Best Actor in a Television Series - Drama	Kojak (1973)
1975	Primetime Emmy	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series	Kojak (1973)
1975	Primetime Emmy	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series	Kojak (1973)
1973	Primetime Emmy	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Single Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role	Kojak (1973)
1966	Golden Globe	Golden Globes, USA	Best Supporting Actor	Battle of the Bulge (1965)
1963	Oscar	Academy Awards, USA	Best Actor in a Supporting Role	Birdman of Alcatraz (1962)
1963	Golden Globe	Golden Globes, USA	Best Supporting Actor	Birdman of Alcatraz (1962)
1963	Golden Laurel	Laurel Awards	Top New Male Personality	10th place.