Description:
Of Greek descent on both sides, the son of immigrants, Savalas was a soldier during World War II, although most of his enlistment records were destroyed in a fire at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1973. He later studied psychology at Columbia University under the GI Bill.
Iconically bald, he often played character roles, sometimes as sadists or psychotics. He became famous in the 1970s 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 (1973-78).
Birthday
January 21, 1922
Born In
Garden City, Long Island, New York, USA
Alternative names
Telly Aristoteles Savalas
, Telli Savales
, Telly Savales
Height
183 cm
Spouse/Ex-
Julie Hovland December 22, 1984 - January 22, 1994 (his death),Marilyn Gardner July 21, 1960 - October 19, 1974 (divorced),Katherine Savalas May 23, 1948 - 1957 (divorced)
Parents
Nicholas "Nick" Savalas
Children
Savalas, Candace
Trivia
When he worked as a lifeguard, he failed to save a man from drowning,
and was troubled by the memory forever after.
Quotes
We're all born bald, baby.
Nickname
Golden Greek
Salaries
$22,000
Trademarks
The catchphrase, "Who loves ya, baby?"
