Telly Savalas American film actor Date of Birth: 21.01.1924 Country: USA

1. Birth and Early Life
2. Education and Military Service
3. Television Career
4. Film Career Breakthrough
5. Career Peak
6. The Lieutenant Kojak Character
7. Later Career and Personal Life
8. Awards and Honors
9. Death and Legacy

Birth and Early Life

Aristotelis "Telly" Savalas was born on January 13, 1922, in Garden City, Long Island, New York. He was the second of five children born to Greek immigrants Christina and Nick Savalas, who owned a Greek restaurant. Growing up in a Greek-speaking household, Savalas initially struggled when he entered Sewanhaka High School, not knowing a word of English. However, he quickly overcame this obstacle and excelled in his studies.

Education and Military Service

After graduating from high school, Savalas briefly worked as a lifeguard. However, a tragic incident in which he failed to save a drowning person haunted him, leading him to pursue other endeavors. He enrolled in Columbia University, where he studied English, psychology, and radio broadcasting. It was during this time that he developed a passion for radio and later for television.

Savalas graduated from Columbia in 1948, having served in the Army during World War II. With a degree in hand, he was determined to build a career in show business.

Television Career

Savalas's show business journey began with a newsreel at ABC, where he served as a special assignment director. He then produced "Gillette Cavalcade of Sports." It was on television that he landed his first acting roles, appearing in such series as "Armstrong Circle Theatre," "Naked City," "Bonanza," "The Twilight Zone," and "The Untouchables." From 1959 to 1967, Savalas appeared in approximately 50 television shows, playing everything from minor to significant roles.

Film Career Breakthrough

Savalas's success on television soon caught the attention of film producers. In 1961, he made his feature film debut in John Frankenheimer's crime drama "The Young Savages." That same year, he also starred in Paul Almond's television production of "Macbeth," alongside Sean Connery.

In 1962, Savalas was cast in four major films, including Frankenheimer's biographical drama "Birdman of Alcatraz." His portrayal of the sadistic prison guard Feto Gomez earned him his first Academy Award nomination. The same year, he appeared in J. Lee Thompson's "Cape Fear" and David Swift's "The Interns."

Career Peak

Throughout the early 1960s, Savalas primarily worked in television series. However, he also appeared in the historical drama "Genghis Khan" (1965) and Sidney Pollack's drama "The Slender Thread" (1965), in which he played a leading role.

In 1967, Savalas starred in Robert Aldrich's war film "The Dirty Dozen," which earned him critical acclaim. In 1968, he played the leader of a group of marauding outlaws in Pollack's western comedy "The Scalphunters."

One of Savalas's most iconic roles came in 1969 as Sergeant Tibbs in J. Lee Thompson's "Mackenna's Gold."

The Lieutenant Kojak Character

In 1973, Savalas landed the role that would define his career: Lieutenant Theo Kojak in Joseph Sargent's crime drama "The Marcus-Nelson Murders," based on real-life events. The role of the tough-talking, lollipop-sucking detective made Savalas a household name. He would go on to play Kojak in the television series "Kojak" (1973-1978).

Later Career and Personal Life

Beyond his acting career, Savalas was a talented singer, songwriter, and poker player. He was also an avid horse racing enthusiast and even owned his own racehorse. Savalas was married three times.

Awards and Honors

Savalas was nominated for an Academy Award for his role in "Birdman of Alcatraz" (1962). He also won a Golden Globe Award for his performance in "The Marcus-Nelson Murders" (1973) and a People's Choice Award for Favorite Male TV Star (1975-1977). In 1992, he became the World Series of Poker champion.

Death and Legacy

Savalas was diagnosed with cancer in 1993 and passed away on January 22, 1994, at the age of 72. He is buried at Forest Lawn - Hollywood Hills.

Telly Savalas is remembered as a charismatic and versatile performer who left an unforgettable mark on both television and film. His humanitarian efforts and generous spirit made him a beloved figure in the entertainment industry and beyond.