Home> Facts and Trivia > Stars > Telly Savalas
Telly Savalas Facts
| Sign | Aquarius |
| Born |
Jan 21, 1922 Garden City, NY |
| Died |
Jan 22, 1994 Universal City, CA |
| Age | Died at 72 |
| Total Facts | 59 |
Nicollette Sheridan, daughter of his companion Sally Sheridan, considered him as her father.
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.
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.
Attended Columbia University in New York, New York.
Before becoming an actor, he had many odd jobs, from newspaper vendor to lifeguard.
Best remembered by the public for his starring role as the title character in "Kojak" (1973).
Born on the same day as Benny Hill, who impersonated Savalas's "Kojak" (1973) character on "The Benny Hill Show" (1969).
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.
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).
Early in his career, he directed stage plays at a theater in Connecticut.
Enjoyed watching "Jeopardy!" (1984).
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).
Former stepfather of Nicollette Sheridan. (Sheridan's mother is Sally Sheridan .).
Godfather of Jennifer Aniston
Graduated from Sewanhaka High School in Floral Park, New York, in 1940.
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).
He didn't appear in his first film until he was 37.
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.
He used off-script phrases and mottoes in Greek during filming.
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.
He was an accomplished poker player.
He was an active liberal Democrat.
He wasn't the first choice to audition for "Kojak" (1973), when Marlon Brando had been offered the role.
His eldest daughter, Christina, was named after his mother.
His mother, Christina, died in 1989.
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.
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).
His younger brother, George Savalas, starred in "Kojak" (1973) with him.
Hosted a popular radio program, "Telly's Coffeehouse," in the early 1950s.
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).
Interred at the George Washington Section of Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles, California, USA.
Left index finger was deformed.
Loved gambling and was a very successful gambler, winning many Vegas poker tournaments and losing few.
Loved to read historical biographies and, somewhat surprisingly, romance novels.
Met his first wife (Katherine) at a Greek dance while attending Columbia University.
Met his last wife, Julie Hovland, on the set of "Kojak" (1973) while he was traveling with her to Minnesota in 1977.
Of Greek descent.
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.
Owned a wide variety of luxury vehicles, including Cadillacs, Lincolns, Fords, Pontiacs, Mercedes and DeLoreans.
Purchased a house in the Southern California desert community of Palm Desert because he enjoyed playing golf so much.
Reason why he sucked on a lollipop during "Kojak" (1973): to help him to quit smoking.
Remained good friends with Kevin Dobson during and after "Kojak" (1973).
Spoke Greek fluently
Uncle of Australian-born actor Peter Cavnoudias.
Underwent successful surgery for prostate cancer in 1989, but in 1991 was diagnosed with bladder cancer which spread to his bones and pancreas.
Was a member of Company C, 12th Medical Training Battalion, 4th Medical Training Regiment at Camp Pickett, Virginia.
Was a spokesperson for the Players' Club Gold Card from 1981 to 1990.
Was also best friends with actors Karl Malden and John Aniston. (who served as godfather to John's daughter actress Jennifer Aniston).
Was good friends with producer/director Irwin Allen, appearing in his Beyond the Poseidon Adventure (1979), and Alice in Wonderland (1985) (TV).