Telly Savalas was born on January 21, 1924 in Garden City,
Long Island, New York. Savalas passed away on January 22,
1994 in Universal City, California from bladder cancer.
Telly Savalas' birth name was Aristotelis Savalas.
Savalas used the catchphrase, "Who loves ya, baby?"
The top part of one of Savalas index fingers was missing.
Before becoming an actor, Telly Savalas had many odd jobs,
from selling newspapers to becoming a lifeguard. Early in
his career, he directed stage plays at a theater in Connecticut.
During Savalas's service in World War 2 he was a recipient
of a Purple Heart.
Savalas hosted the popular radio program, TELLY'S COFFEEHOUSE
in the early 1950s. Savalas made his TV debut in 1959 and
his big-screen bow two years later in John Frankenheimer's
THE YOUNG SAVAGES.
In 1962 Telly Savalas copped a Best Supporting Actor Oscar
nomination as Feto Gomez, a prisoner on solitary row in Frankenheimer's
BIRDMAN OF ALCATRAZ. Telly was known for being the bald-headed
actor played character roles, often as sadistic or psychotic
types.
In the 70s Telly Savalas became a TV favorite when his role
as Det. Theo Kojak in the TV movie THE MARCUS-NELSON MURDERS
(1973) was expanded into the gritty KOJAK (1973) TV series,
lasting from 1973-78. To help Telly quick smoking he sucked
on a lolly-pop during KOJAK. Savalas's brother is George Savalas,
they starred together in KOJAK series.
Telly Savalas' other notable credits include...
Telly Savalas - MovieActors.com
