Telly Savalas biography
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[h3]The second of five children born to Greek parents, Savalas served in World War II after he dropped out of Columbia University. He was honourably discharged with a Purple Heart disability.[/h3]

During the early 1950s, he worked for ABC radio and eventually became the executive producer of his own popular talk show, 'Telly's Coffee House'. It was not until he was in his thirties that he decided to turn to acting.

Appearing predominantly as a TV villain, the bald-headed actor befriended [urlnew=http://www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biography_home/297:0/Burt_Lancaster.htm]Burt Lancaster[/urlnew], who cast him in 'Birdman of Alcatraz', in 1962. Savalas earned a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award nomination for his role as solitary prisoner, Feto Gomez. Still, producers continued to use Savalas as a supporting bad guy, playing character roles, often as sadistic or psychotic villains.

He was originally slated to play Luke in 'Cool Hand Luke' in 1967, but the producers were unwilling to wait for him to complete a holiday cruise from Europe to the U.S., and so [urlnew=http://www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biography_home/809:0/Paul_Newman.htm]Paul Newman[/urlnew] famously played the role instead.

In 1973, he landed the part of tough-talking New York City detective, Theo Kojak, in the TV movie 'The Marcus-Nelson Murders'. His incorruptible, lollipop-sucking character was so popular that an eponymous spin-off series resulted, which ran from 1973 until 1978. Savalas’ popularity was so great that he was able to insist that his own brother be cast alongside him as his sidekick.

After 'Kojak' ended, he became involved in several European film projects, talk-show appearances and even an unsuccessful music career. During the 1980s he periodically revived the character of Kojak in a series of TV movies.

In the early 1990s, Savalas contracted bladder cancer, ultimately succumbing to the disease in 1994. He was survived by his second wife, Julie Hovland, and their two children, Christian and Ariana.

He was also the godfather of 'Friends' star Jennifer Aniston, with whom he shared Greek roots.
Telly Savalas biography



- Telly purchased a house in the Palm Desert because he enjoyed playing golf so much.

- Savalas was the best friend of fellow Greek-American actor, John Aniston, and he served as god father to his daughter, Friends actress, Jennifer Aniston.

- His brother, George Savalas, starred in "Kojak" (1973) with him.

- He was an accomplished poker player.

- Attended Columbia University in New York.


Telly Savalas biography



Backfire! (1995)

Mind Twister (1994)

Faceless (1988)

GoBots: War of the Rock Lords (1986) (voice)

Cannonball Run II (1984)

Fake-Out (1982)

The Border (1979)

The Muppet Movie (1979)

Beyond the Poseidon Adventure (1979)

Escape to Athena (1979)

Capricorn One (1978)

Beyond Reason (1977)

Killer Force (1976)

Inside Out (1975)

Horror Express (1973)

La Casa dell'esorcismo (1973)

Senza ragione (1973)

L’ Assassino. è al telefono (1972)

Sonny and Jed (1972)

Ragione per vivere e una per morire, Una (1972) .... Maj. Ward

A Reason to Live, a Reason to Die (1974)

Pancho Villa (1972) .... Pancho Villa

Clay Pigeon (1971)

A Town Called Hell (1971)

Pretty Maids All in a Row (1971)

Città violenta (1970)

Kelly's Heroes (1970)

Crooks and Coronets (1969)

On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969)

Land Raiders (1969)

Mackenna's Gold (1969)

The Assassination Bureau (1969)

Buona Sera, Mrs. Campbell (1969)

The Scalphunters (1968)

Sol Madrid (1968)

The Dirty Dozen (1967)

The Karate Killers (1967)

Beau Geste (1966)

The Slender Thread (1965)

Battle of the Bulge (1965)

Genghis Khan (1965)

John Goldfarb, Please Come Home (1965)

The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965)

Fanfare for a Death Scene (1964)

The New Interns (1964)

Johnny Cool (1963)

Love Is a Ball (1963)

The Man from the Diner's Club (1963)

The Interns (1962)

Birdman of Alcatraz (1962)

Cape Fear (1962)

The Young Savages (1961)

Mad Dog Coll (1961)
Telly Savalas biography

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