Telly Savalas

Telly Savalas

Acting • Born 1922-01-21 – Died 1994-01-22

Acting1Garden City, Long Island, New York, USA

Biography

Aristotelis "Telly" Savalas (January 21, 1922 – January 22, 1994) was an American film and television actor and singer whose career spanned four decades. Best known for playing the title role in the 1970s crime drama Kojak, Savalas was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Birdman of Alcatraz (1962). His other movie credits include The Young Savages (1961), The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965), Battle of the Bulge (1965), The Dirty Dozen (1967), The Scalphunters (1968), supervillain Ernst Stavro Blofeld in the James Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969), Kelly's Heroes (1970), Pretty Maids All in a Row (1971), Inside Out (1975) and Escape to Athena (1979).

Filmography

159 credits
Birdman of Alcatraz

Birdman of Alcatraz

Movie • 1962

Feto Gomez

On Her Majesty's Secret Service

On Her Majesty's Secret Service

Movie • 1969

Ernst Stavro Blofeld

The Dirty Dozen

The Dirty Dozen

Movie • 1967

Archer Maggott

The Greatest Story Ever Told

The Greatest Story Ever Told

Movie • 1965

Pontius Pilate

Mad Dog Coll

Mad Dog Coll

Movie • 1961

Lt. Dawson

Genghis Khan

Genghis Khan

Movie • 1965

Shan

Lisa and the Devil

Lisa and the Devil

Movie • 1973

Leandro

The New Interns

The New Interns

Movie • 1964

Dr. Dominic Riccio

Cape Fear

Cape Fear

Movie • 1962

Private Detective Charles Sievers

Land Raiders

Land Raiders

Movie • 1969

Vince Carden

Kelly's Heroes

Kelly's Heroes

Movie • 1970

Master Sergeant "Big Joe"

The Karate Killers

The Karate Killers

Movie • 1967

Count De Fanzini

Capricorn One

Capricorn One

Movie • 1977

Albain

Beyond the Poseidon Adventure

Beyond the Poseidon Adventure

Movie • 1979

Captain Stefan Svevo

Cannonball Run II

Cannonball Run II

Movie • 1984

Hymie

Violent City

Violent City

Movie • 1970

Al Weber

The Scalphunters

The Scalphunters

Movie • 1968

Jim Howie

Horror Express

Horror Express

Movie • 1972

Captain Kazan

Buona Sera, Mrs. Campbell

Buona Sera, Mrs. Campbell

Movie • 1968

Walter Braddock

Battle of the Bulge

Battle of the Bulge

Movie • 1965

Sgt. Guffy

Faceless

Faceless

Movie • 1988

Terry Hallen

Escape to Athena

Escape to Athena

Movie • 1979

Zeno

The Dirty Dozen: The Deadly Mission

The Dirty Dozen: The Deadly Mission

Movie • 1987

Maj. Wright

The Dirty Dozen: The Fatal Mission

The Dirty Dozen: The Fatal Mission

Movie • 1988

Maj. Wright

A Reason to Live, a Reason to Die

A Reason to Live, a Reason to Die

Movie • 1972

Major Ward

A Town Called Bastard

A Town Called Bastard

Movie • 1971

Don Carlos

Mackenna's Gold

Mackenna's Gold

Movie • 1969

Sergeant Tibbs

The Slender Thread

The Slender Thread

Movie • 1965

Dr. Joe Coburn

Pretty Maids All in a Row

Pretty Maids All in a Row

Movie • 1971

Captain Sam Surcher

The Assassination Bureau

The Assassination Bureau

Movie • 1969

Lord Bostwick

Redneck

Redneck

Movie • 1973

Memphis

Killer Force

Killer Force

Movie • 1976

Webb

Pancho Villa

Pancho Villa

Movie • 1972

Pancho Villa

Johnny Cool

Johnny Cool

Movie • 1963

Vincenzo 'Vince' Santangelo

The Young Savages

The Young Savages

Movie • 1961

Detective Lt. Gunderson

Inside Out

Inside Out

Movie • 1975

Harry Morgan

Crime Boss

Crime Boss

Movie • 1972

Don Vincenzo

The Killer Is on the Phone

The Killer Is on the Phone

Movie • 1972

Ranko Drasovic

Fanfare for a Death Scene

Fanfare for a Death Scene

Movie • 1964

Ilchidai Khan

The Border

The Border

Movie • 1980

Frank Cooper

Sonny and Jed

Sonny and Jed

Movie • 1972

Sheriff Franciscus

Love is a Ball

Love is a Ball

Movie • 1963

Dr. Christian Gump

Backfire!

Backfire!

Movie • 1995

Most Evil Man (Not Really)

Perfect Crimes

Perfect Crimes

Movie • 1991

Self - Narrator

The Man from the Diners' Club

The Man from the Diners' Club

Movie • 1963

Foots Pulardos

Sol Madrid

Sol Madrid

Movie • 1968

Emil Dietrich

Mongo's Back in Town

Mongo's Back in Town

Movie • 1971

Lieutenant Pete Tolstad

Beyond Reason

Beyond Reason

Movie • 1982

Dr. Nicholas Mati

Beau Geste

Beau Geste

Movie • 1966

Sgt. Maj. Dagineau

The Interns

The Interns

Movie • 1962

Dr. Dominic Riccio

Return to the Titanic... Live!

Return to the Titanic... Live!

Movie • 1987

Host

She Cried Murder

She Cried Murder

Movie • 1973

Inspector Joe Brody

Fake-Out

Fake-Out

Movie • 1982

Lt. Thurston

The House of Exorcism

The House of Exorcism

Movie • 1975

Leandro (archive footage)

The Cartier Affair

The Cartier Affair

Movie • 1984

Phil Drexler

Remote Control Magic: The Movie

Remote Control Magic: The Movie

Movie • 2012

Self (archive footage)

The Hollywood Detective

The Hollywood Detective

Movie • 1989

Harry Bell

The Muppet Movie

The Muppet Movie

Movie • 1979

El Sleazo Tough

Operation Dirty Dozen

Operation Dirty Dozen

Movie • 2006

Self

Crooks and Coronets

Crooks and Coronets

Movie • 1969

Herbie Haseler

Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story

Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story

Movie • 1980

Cretzer

Telly Savalas Looks at Aberdeen

Telly Savalas Looks at Aberdeen

Movie • 1981

Narrator

Telly Savalas Looks at Birmingham

Telly Savalas Looks at Birmingham

Movie • 1981

Narrator

Kojak: The Price of Justice

Kojak: The Price of Justice

Movie • 1987

Inspector Theo Kojak

La TV des 70's : Quand Giscard était président

La TV des 70's : Quand Giscard était président

Movie • 2022

Self (archive footage)

Telly Savalas Looks at Portsmouth

Telly Savalas Looks at Portsmouth

Movie • 1981

Narrator

Silent Rebellion

Silent Rebellion

Movie • 1982

Pete

Clay Pigeon

Clay Pigeon

Movie • 1971

Redford

Mind Twister

Mind Twister

Movie • 1994

Richard Howland

2Everything2Terrible2: Tokyo Drift

2Everything2Terrible2: Tokyo Drift

Movie • 2010

Self (archive footage)

Visions...

Visions...

Movie • 1972

Lt. Phil Keegan

Kojak : Error Fatal

Kojak : Error Fatal

Movie • 1989

Lieutenant Theo Kojak

Kojak: Flowers For Matty

Kojak: Flowers For Matty

Movie • 1990

Inspector Theo Kojak

Kojak The Belarus File

Kojak The Belarus File

Movie • 1985

Lieutenant Theo Kojak

Kojak: Ariana

Kojak: Ariana

Movie • 1989

Lieutenant Theo Kojak

Kojak: None So Blind

Kojak: None So Blind

Movie • 1990

Inspector Theo Kojak

The Marcus-Nelson Murders

The Marcus-Nelson Murders

Movie • 1973

Lt. Theo Kojak

Hellinger's Law

Hellinger's Law

Movie • 1981

Nick Hellinger

Joys

Joys

Movie • 1976

Self

The Equalizer - The Movie: Blood & Wine

The Equalizer - The Movie: Blood & Wine

Movie • 1987

Brother Joseph Heiden

The Sin of Jesus

The Sin of Jesus

Movie • 1961

Felix

John Goldfarb, Please Come Home!

John Goldfarb, Please Come Home!

Movie • 1965

Macmuid (uncredited)

The Flintstones' 25th Anniversary Celebration

The Flintstones' 25th Anniversary Celebration

Movie • 1986

GoBots: Battle of the Rock Lords

GoBots: Battle of the Rock Lords

Movie • 1986

Magmar (voice)

Rose Against the Odds

Rose Against the Odds

Movie • 1991

George Parnassus

Kojak: It's Always Something

Kojak: It's Always Something

Movie • 1990

Inspector Theo Kojak

Telly... Who Loves Ya, Baby?

Telly... Who Loves Ya, Baby?

Movie • 1976

Self

Afghanistan For What?

Afghanistan For What?

Movie • 1984

Django & Django: Sergio Corbucci Unchained

Django & Django: Sergio Corbucci Unchained

Movie • 2021

Self - Actor (archive footage)

Black Aphrodite

Black Aphrodite

Movie • 1977

The Boss (as Aristides T. Savallas)

Alice

Alice

TV • 1976

Garrison's Gorillas

Garrison's Gorillas

TV • 1967

Burke's Law

Burke's Law

TV • 1963

Fakir George O'Shea

Cain's Hundred

Cain's Hundred

TV • 1961

Frank Meehan

The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour

The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour

TV • 1971

Kraft Suspense Theatre

Kraft Suspense Theatre

TV • 1963

Beret

The F.B.I.

The F.B.I.

TV • 1965

Ed Clementi

Tales of the Unexpected

Tales of the Unexpected

TV • 1979

Joe Brisson

Okay

Okay

TV • 1979

Self

Naked City

Naked City

TV • 1958

Gabriel Hody

Kojak

Kojak

TV • 1973

Theo Kojak

Arrest and Trial

Arrest and Trial

TV • 1963

Frank Santo

The Equalizer

The Equalizer

TV • 1985

Brother Joseph Heiden

Combat!

Combat!

TV • 1962

Colonel Kapsalis

The Twilight Zone

The Twilight Zone

TV • 1959

Erich Streator

The Fugitive

The Fugitive

TV • 1963

Steve Keller

Acapulco

Acapulco

TV • 1961

Mr. Carver

Run for Your Life

Run for Your Life

TV • 1965

Istvan Zabor

Cimarron Strip

Cimarron Strip

TV • 1967

The Fugitive

The Fugitive

TV • 1963

Victor Leonetti

The Virginian

The Virginian

TV • 1962

'Colonel' Bliss

The Aquanauts

The Aquanauts

TV • 1960

Paul Price

Grindl

Grindl

TV • 1963

The Rogues

The Rogues

TV • 1964

The Dakotas

The Dakotas

TV • 1963

Jake Volet

Ben Casey

Ben Casey

TV • 1961

The New Breed

The New Breed

TV • 1961

Dr. Buel Reed

The Detectives

The Detectives

TV • 1959

Ben

The Fugitive

The Fugitive

TV • 1963

Dan Polichek

77 Sunset Strip

77 Sunset Strip

TV • 1958

Brother Hendricksen

Alice in Wonderland

Alice in Wonderland

TV • 1985

Cheshire Cat

J.J. Starbuck

J.J. Starbuck

TV • 1987

The Greek

Tony Orlando and Dawn

Tony Orlando and Dawn

TV • 1974

Self

The Man from U.N.C.L.E.

The Man from U.N.C.L.E.

TV • 1964

Count Valeriano De Fanzini

Am laufenden Band

Am laufenden Band

TV • 1974

Self - Guest

Disco

Disco

TV • 1971

Self

Ein Schloß am Wörthersee

Ein Schloß am Wörthersee

TV • 1990

Teddy

Cain's Hundred

Cain's Hundred

TV • 1961

Harry Remick

Combat!

Combat!

TV • 1962

Jon

Burke's Law

Burke's Law

TV • 1963

Balakirov aka Richard Goldtooth

Burke's Law

Burke's Law

TV • 1963

Charlie Prince

The Bob Hope Show

The Bob Hope Show

TV • 1950

Self

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

TV • 1962

Self

The French Atlantic Affair

The French Atlantic Affair

TV • 1979

Fr. Craig Dunleavy

Kraft Suspense Theatre

Kraft Suspense Theatre

TV • 1963

Ramon Castillo / Raymond Castle

The Mike Douglas Show

The Mike Douglas Show

TV • 1961

Self - Guest

Bonanza

Bonanza

TV • 1959

Charles Augustus Hackett

Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre

Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre

TV • 1963

Mueller

V.I.P. Schaukel

V.I.P. Schaukel

TV • 1971

Self

Einer wird gewinnen

Einer wird gewinnen

TV • 1964

Self

Musikladen

Musikladen

TV • 1972

Self

The Untouchables

The Untouchables

TV • 1959

Leo Stazak

Bambi

Bambi

TV • 1948

Self

The Carol Burnett Show

The Carol Burnett Show

TV • 1967

Self - Guest / Various Characters

Les Rendez-vous du dimanche

Les Rendez-vous du dimanche

TV • 1975

Self

Midi Première

Midi Première

TV • 1975

Self

Armstrong Circle Theatre

Armstrong Circle Theatre

TV • 1950

Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story

Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story

TV • 1980

Cretzer

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

TV • 1962

Self - Guest Host

The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts

The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts

TV • 1973

Self

The Red Skelton Show

The Red Skelton Show

TV • 1951

Self / Tex

Golden Globe Awards

Golden Globe Awards

TV • 1944

Self - Nominee

The Alfred Hitchcock Hour

The Alfred Hitchcock Hour

TV • 1962

Philadelphia Harry

Golden Globe Awards

Golden Globe Awards

TV • 1944

Self - Presenter

The Commish

The Commish

TV • 1991

Tommy Colette

The Love Boat

The Love Boat

TV • 1977

Dr. Fabian Cain

Dinah!

Dinah!

TV • 1974

Self - Guest

Top of the Pops

Top of the Pops

TV • 1964

Self

The Untouchables

The Untouchables

TV • 1959

Wally Baltzer

Telly Savalas – Filmography & Biography – Critifan