Remembering the legendary actor and entertainer Telly Savalas
His most iconic role came as Theo Kojak, the tough but compassionate New York City detective in the hit television series “Kojak” known for his signature bald head, charm, and the catchphrase “Who loves ya, baby?” that set a new standard for TV detectives
Remembering the legendary actor and entertainer Telly Savalas
The actor and entertainer Aristotelis “Telly” Savalas, was born on January 21, 1922, in Garden City, New York. The son of Greek immigrants, Savalas grew up in a close-knit family that instilled in him a strong sense of culture and pride in his heritage.
Savalas initially pursued a career in journalism and served in the U.S. Army during World War II. After the war, he began working as a radio producer and director for ABC. His breakthrough into acting came later, with a series of supporting roles in films during the 1950s and 1960s.
Savalas gained widespread acclaim for his Academy Award-nominated performance in “Birdman of Alcatraz” (1962) alongside Burt Lancaster. His most iconic role, however, came as Theo Kojak, the tough but compassionate New York City detective in the hit television series “Kojak” (1973–1978). Known for his signature bald head, charm, and the catchphrase “Who loves ya, baby?”, Savalas became a household name and won an Emmy Award for his performance.
In addition to his television success, Savalas starred in numerous films, including “The Dirty Dozen” (1967), “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” (1969) as the villain Blofeld, and “Kelly’s Heroes” (1970). His distinctive voice also led to a successful career as a singer and narrator.
Telly Savalas was married three times and had six children. He was known for his love of golf, gambling, and close friendships, particularly with fellow actor Burt Lancaster. Savalas embraced his Greek heritage and was deeply connected to his family and cultural roots.
Telly Savalas passed away on January 22, 1994, one day after his 72nd birthday, in Universal City, California, due to complications from bladder and prostate cancer.
Today, Telly Savalas remains an enduring figure in popular culture, and his portrayal of Kojak set a new standard for TV detectives, and his contributions to film and television.
Look back at Telly Savalas as Kojak in the iconic TV series, 1973
Watch more TV related videos
Images and photographs can be from different ranges of sources such as Pinterest, Tumblr etc. except when/where noted. If you are the copyright holder and would like them removed or credited, please get in touch.