Who is Telly Savalas? Telly Savalas Biography and Wiki
Telly Savalas was a Greek American film and television actor and singer whose career spanned four decades. Noted for his resonant, deep voice, and bald head, Telly Savalas is best known for his role as LT. Theo Kojak in the drama series, Kojak.
Telly Savalas Age and Birthday
Savalas was born on January 21, 1922, in Garden City, New York, United States of America. He died of complications of cancer of the bladder and prostate on January 22, 1994, a day after he had just turned 72 years old.
Telly Savalas Height and Weight
Savalas was a man of average stature, she also appeared to be quite tall in stature in her photos. She stood at a height of 5 ft 8 inches (1.78 m).
The second of five children, Telly Savalas was born Aristotelis Savalas in Garden City, New York, to Greek American parents.
Telly Savalas Education
He attended Cobbett Junior High School in Lynn, Massachusetts. Thereafter, Savalas enrolled in Sewanhaka high school in Floral Park, New York, and graduated in 1940.
After graduation from high school, he worked as a lifeguard but was one time unable to rescue a man from drowning.
When he entered Columbia University School of General Studies, Savalas took courses including English language, radio, and psychology, graduating in 1946.
Telly entered Columbia College but was drafted. So he had to graduate from the adult college, General Studies. He was playfully populist about this, claiming to be a “Columbia College dropout”.
Telly Savalas Family, Parents
He was born to Greek American parents Christina and Nick Savalas. His mother was an artist while his father was Greek and he owned a restaurant.
Telly Savalas, Siblings
Savalas has 4 siblings and he was the second born. Telly Savala’s younger brother, George Savalas, played the regular role of Detective Stavros, a sensitive, wild-haired, quiet, comedic foil to Kojak’s street-wise humor in an otherwise dark dramatic TV series.
Telly Savalas Wife
Savalas was married to his lovely wife, Julie Hovland. The couple tied their knot in 1984 and together they are blessed with two children namely, Christian and Ariana.
The couple met in 1977, during the last season of Kojak. Julie is a travel agent from Minnesota. Telly Savalas was married three times. In 1948, he married Katherine Nicolaides. She, however, filed for divorce in 1957.
While working at the Garden City Theater Center, Savalas met Marilyn Gardner. They married in 1960 and divorced in 1974, after a long separation.
The film, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, saw Savalas meet Sally Adams in January 1969. She was an actress as well as 25 years younger than him. The actor did not resist to move in with his newfound love.
Although Savalas and Sally Adams never legally married, she went by the name of Sally Savalas. They stopped living together in December 1978 when she filed a palimony lawsuit against him.
Telly Savalas Children
Savalas and Julie shared two children namely; Christian Savalas, an entrepreneur, singer and songwriter, and Ariana Savalas, an actress, and singer/songwriter. He also shares a daughter, Christina Savalas, with Katherine. Christina was born in 1950.
With Marilyn, Savalas was also a parent to Penelope Savalas, who was born in 1961 and her sister, Candace Savalas, born in 1963. His last born is a son, Nicholas Savalas. His mom is Sally and she gave birth to him on February 24, 1973.
Telly Savalas Net Worth
Savalas was a Greek-American actor and singer who had a net worth of $5 million.
Telly Savalas Measurements and Facts
Here are some interesting facts and body measurements you should know about Savalas.
Telly Savalas Bio and Wiki
- Full Names: Aristotelis Savalas
- Popular As: Actor and Singer
- Gender: Male
- Occupation / Profession: Actor and Singer
- Nationality: Greek American
- Race / Ethnicity: Actor and Singer
- Religion: Not Known
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
Savalas Birthday
- Age / How Old?: Died at 72 years
- Zodiac Sign: To be updated
- Date of Birth: January 21, 1922 – January 22, 1994
- Place of Birth: Garden City, New York
- Birthday: January 21st
Savalas Family and Relationship
- Father (Dad): Nick Savalas
- Mother: Christina Savalas
- Siblings: Four siblings
- Marital Status: Single
- Wife/Spouse: Julie Hovland
- Children: Christian Savalas, Ariana Savalas, Christina Savalas, Penelope Savalas, Candace Savalas and Nicholas Savalas
Savalas Networth and Salary
- Net Worth: $5 million
- Salary: Under Review
- Source of Income: Under Review
Savalas House and Cars
- Place of living: To be Updated
- Cars: Car Brand to be Updated
Telly Savalas Career
He also released the one-hit-wonder song “If”, which became a UK number-one single in 1975.
Savalas’ movie roles include Birdman of Alcatraz, The Greatest Story Ever Told, Battle of the Bulge, The Dirty Dozen, as supervillain Ernst Stavro Blofeld in the James Bond movie On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, Kelly’s Heroes, and Escape to Athena.
Savalas also served three years from 1943 to 1946 in the U.S. Army during World War II, in which he received a Purple Heart.
He aforesaid he majored in science and took part in an exceedingly church play as a judge, and that is when Hollywood recruited him.
Telly Savalas Finger
Savalas had a minor physical handicap in that his left index finger was deformed. This malformed digit was typically indicated on-screen; the Kojak episode “Conspiracy of Fear” within which a close-up of Savalas holding his chin in his hand clearly shows the for a good bent finger.
Telly Savalas Kojak
Savalas’s best-known role was as the star of the television series Kojak. His character was named Theo “Kojack” in his first appearance.
Theodore “Theo” Kojak was a bald NY town detective with a keenness for lollipops and whose tagline was UN agency loves ya, baby? He conjointly liked to mention, ‘everyone ought to have a touch Greek in them.’
Although the lollipop gimmick was extra so as to indulge his appetence, Savalas conjointly smoke-dried heavily onscreen – cigarettes, cigarillos, and cigars, throughout the first season’s episodes.
In 1978, when 5 seasons and 118 episodes premiered, CBS canceled the show thanks to lowered ratings. Savalas was sad regarding the show’s ending, however, he got the possibility to spiel the Kojak persona in many tv films.
Telly Savalas Death
Savalas died on January 22, 1994, just one day after his 72nd birthday. He suffered from bladder and prostate cancer. He gave up the fight for his life at the Sheraton-Universal Hotel in California.
The ceremonial occurred within the Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Church. It was attended by his third partner, Julie, and his brother Gus. His initial 2 wives, Katherine and Marilyn, conjointly attended with their own youngsters.
The mourners included Angie Dickinson, Nicollette Sheridan, Jennifer Aniston, his goddaughter, Kevin Sorbo, Sally Adams, Frank among many others.
Telly Savalas Awards and Achievements
His legacy ranges from acting to singing. He is undoubted, a fine actor as outlined in the following awards and accomplishments:
- Academy Award
- Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor
Frequently Asked Questions About Telly Savalas
Who is Telly Savalas?
Savalas was a Greek American film and television actor and singer whose career spanned four decades. Noted for his resonant, deep voice, and bald head, Telly Savalas is best known for his role as LT. Theo Kojak in the drama series, Kojak.
How old is Telly Savalas?
Savalas passed away at the age of 72 as of 1994. The singer-actor was born in 1922.
How tall is Telly Savalas?
She stood at a height of 5 ft 8 inches (1.78 m).
Is Telly Savalas married?
Savalas was married to his lovely wife, Julie Hovland.
How much is Telly Savalas worth?
Savalas was a Greek-American actor and singer who had a net worth of $5 million.
Is Telly Savalas dead or alive?
Savalas died of cancer of the bladder and prostate on January 22, 1994.
Where is Telly Savalas now?
The actor is deceased.