#142

#142 The Life & Death of Kojack's Telly Savalas!
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Telly Savalas was an American actor best known for his role as a tough, New York City detective in the 1970s television series, Kojak!
He was born on January 21, 1922 in Garden City, New York as a son of Greek immigrants, Savalas and his brother Gus sold newspapers and shined shoes to help support the family. In 1941, he joined the army and served in World War II, from which he was discharged with a Purple Heart disability!
After his release, Savalas attended the Armed Forces Institute where he studied radio and television production. He went on to enroll at Columbia University where he continued his studies in psychology. During the early 1950s, Telly worked for ABC radio, the Voice of America, and eventually became the executive producer of his own popular talk show, Telly’s Coffee House, for which he earned a Peabody Award!
In 1959, Savalas attended an audition for the CBS anthology series Armstrong Circle Theatre, intending to prompt an actor friend who was up for a role. Instead, the casting director took Savalas’ sinister demeanor into account and cast him in a character part, which led to other TV assignments and movie roles. A performance in Matter of Conviction impressed actor Burt Lancaster, who cast him in Birdman of Alcatraz(1962). Savalas earned a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award nomination for his role as solitary row prisoner Feto Gomez.The bald-headed actor became known for his sinister character roles, often as sadistic or psychotic types. 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 a spin-off series resulted, which ran from 1973-’78 on CBS. The show catapulted Savalas into icon status as the very image of the hedonistic ’70s. This clout allowed him to hire brother George (professionally named “Demosthenes”) in the role of Detective Stavros. And to this day, Kojak’s catchphrase, “Who loves ya, baby?” can be heard around the globe. Savalas won an Emmy and two Golden Globes for his role on the series!
After Kojak ended, Savalas embarked on a globe-trotting existence involving several forgettable European films and a decadent, self-indulgent lifestyle. Though he periodically revived the character of Kojak in a few 1980s TV movies, his new role as credit card spokesperson likely earned him more air time. After the show ended, Savalas continued to act in smaller roles in television and film. He died on January 22, 1994, in Universal City, California!
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[@tiffsaver]

Telly Savalas was the real deal, 100% authentic. Many, many years ago when I was doing extra work on "Kojak," during a lull in the filming, he treated EVERYONE on the set, actors, crews, and even we extras to join him at the bar across the street. Whadda guy. RIP.

[@BigBillAndersonsDeathTours]

Thank you for watching!😀👍

[@Spook2431NYC]

I think the NYPD 9th Precint Lower East Side was exterior shots..still looks the same.

[@ballygeale1]

I was an extra In braveheart

[@tiffsaver]

@@ballygeale1 Are you Irish by any chance?

[@ballygeale1]

@@tiffsaver yes I'm irish,most of the film was made in Ireland

[@h.w.r8635]

RIP Telly. U did great work! 🌟

[@BigBillAndersonsDeathTours]

Agreed! Thank you!👍😁

[@cynthiaamitrano8915]

That's Pontius Pilate pronounced "ponchous pilot". I liked Kojak and watched it often. Savalas was married to Julie Hovland at the time of his death. They had a home in Duluth Minnesota where Julie is from, on the point overlooking Lake Superior. We used to see him at a local restaurant quite often, The Pickwick. I live in Duluth.

[@76guzzi78]

What a remarkable man he was. Thanks for such an in-depth account Bill...

[@BigBillAndersonsDeathTours]

Thank you for watching!👍😁

[@naturalobserver6130]

Great bio Bill👍 The Telly Savalas twilight zone episode is a classic!!

[@BigBillAndersonsDeathTours]

I agree with you! Thank you for watching!😁👍

[@plymouthduster2252]

Another great video Bill love watching your channel.

[@BigBillAndersonsDeathTours]

Much appreciated!👍😁

[@grego925]

I always learn so much watching your videos. Never knew how Telly got started in acting. One of my all time favorites. Thanks Bill

[@BigBillAndersonsDeathTours]

Thank you very much Greg!👍😁

[@lisad476]

Loved his acting. My fav of course was Kelly's heros. Thanks for the bio.

[@BigBillAndersonsDeathTours]

Thank you Lisa! I have watched Kelly's Heroes at least 100 times! 👍😁

[@lisad476]

Me to

[@stevemellin5806]

He was a great actor . they don't make them like him anymore

[@BigBillAndersonsDeathTours]

I agree completely! Thank you for watching!👍😁

[@MICHIGANGAL007]

great info

[@elmerpoppoff2738]

this is a shame this guy can't read he's dying of the ephema he has. You need an oxygen tube next to it. Put someone who can at least read the text

[@eliminatorofevil8140]

Telly Savalas great actor loved watching Kojak in the 70s here in the UK. Also today i just got delivered from Amazon the complete DVD works of Kojak.

[@TheMediaBunker]

Great job Bill. Telly Savalas was such an iconic actor, truly one of a kind. I never tire of watching him,

[@BigBillAndersonsDeathTours]

I agree completely! Thank you for watching this!👍😁

[@anthonylunaiii6669]

"Who Loves You Baby" Gone but never forgotten.

[@BigBillAndersonsDeathTours]

Very true! 👍😁

[@brandonguillory242]

kojack was my fav show when i was a kid

[@BigBillAndersonsDeathTours]

Mine too! Thank you Brandon!👍😁

[@jimmyfischbeck9872]

I was honored to meet Telly in the '70's. Charming guy, a laugh a minute! Only the good die young!

[@BigBillAndersonsDeathTours]

Awesome! Thank you for watching!👍😁

[@_CoolHandLuke_]

A wonderful actor! His paranormal experience is very fascinating. Well done Bill!

[@BigBillAndersonsDeathTours]

Thank you Tom! I still have not seen that paranormal show with Telly on it!

[@_CoolHandLuke_]

You're very welcome! Thanks for the reply! I really enjoy your vlogs especially on the wrestlers. Its a real pleasure to talk to you and ive mentioned your channel to a few channel reviewers to hopefully get your subscribers up to where they should be. Thanks for what you do "Flying" Billy Anderson and thanks for what you did for the Ultimate Warrior.

[@BigBillAndersonsDeathTours]

Very much appreciated Tom! Thank you!

[@IgnitedCoyote]

I love telly savalas, I remember watching kojak with my grandmother. Kelly's Heroes and The dirty Dozen are my favorite Clint Eastwood and Lee Marvin movies respectively, and Telly was great in both of them. thanks Big Bill for helping me to remember the happiness his work has brought me over the years.

[@BigBillAndersonsDeathTours]

Telly was a one of a kind actor! Same with Clint! Thank you so much for watching!👍😁

[@tiffsaver]

Yeah, his role in Kelly's Heroes really got to me... the ultimate "tough guy with a heart of gold," in real life, too.

[@TheGraveyardChannel]

LOL, you beat me to another one :-) He's on my list to visit in the next few weeks. I guess you snooze you lose :-)

[@BigBillAndersonsDeathTours]

I'm sorry Steve! I still would love to see you pay tribute to this great actor!👍😁

[@magpieone9390]

I love the respect you two have for each other

[@BigBillAndersonsDeathTours]

Thank you Maggie! Steve is good person, and I have always loved his videos!

[@magpieone9390]

He's the reason I found you and he does a awesome job too.I love both your channels!♥️

[@silvereagle2061]

I'll never forget his role in the Twilight Zone episode "Living Doll"

[@BigBillAndersonsDeathTours]

Total classic episode!

[@goodolboy5228]

Check out 'Telly Savalas Ghost Story' video where he talks about his paranormal experience.

[@BigBillAndersonsDeathTours]

Will do! Thank you for watching!👍😁

[@davidandrews8963]

When I was a kid I wasn't allowed to watch kojak cause my mum said it was too violent I was born in 68 so in the mid to late 70 s over here in England there were many American drama and cop progs we all watched Dallas tho anyway I used to sneak occasional looks at kojak and loved it my mum caught me once and she actually sat with me to watch she saw it was fine rest is history for me telly savalas was and still is the coolest man on earth no one even comes close Dean Martin maybe so where ever you are telly who loves ya baby X

[@BigBillAndersonsDeathTours]

Thank you so much for writing this and for your respect for Telly! He was the coolest for sure!😁👍

[@Rob78169]

What a great actor Telly was. He was also in a few episodes of "The Untouchables" starring Robert Stack!!

[@YllaStar95970]

An accomplished man , my respect for him has grown after this very informative life history. He voice was magnificent, and so was his large and small screen works....Incredibly diverse, such as the man himself.

[@TimmyME]

Telly had an encounter with aliens that was described in book. Very interesting.

[@BigBillAndersonsDeathTours]

Thank you! I need to read that book!

[@TimmyME]

I might remeber it wrong. He had an encounter with something strange on a road when he was either walking or driving.

[@baronedipiemonte3990]

He also played in a few episodes of the old B&W The Untouchables

[@RailfanNetwork]

I have his autographed picture as well as Howard Cosell’s in my collection. Great video Big Bill! Telly was one of my favorites!

[@BigBillAndersonsDeathTours]

Awesome! They were both legends! Thank you for watching once again!👍😁

[@SurgeCess]

The state of entertainment today has me yearning for the natural charisma and charm of actors like Telly Savales.

[@arsenioarmenian7303]

Savalas: Be reasonable Mackenna.....

[@garyfrancis6193]

Tell me you don’t know how to pronounce Pontus Pilate.

[@sstrykert]

First& sharing! Hope you're feeling a notch better Bill!

[@BigBillAndersonsDeathTours]

Thank you Sean for always being my faithful friend! I am a better person for knowing you!👍😁

[@magpieone9390]

Thank you Big Bill for showing a better picture of the marker! Isn't the cemetery responsible for maintenance of the makers too? My favorite TV cop of all time though was actually a real cop.(Dennis Farina) RIP to Telly, George and the family members buried there with them

[@BigBillAndersonsDeathTours]

I don't think the cemetery has any responsibility in maintaning the headstone because of weather! They just cut the grass! Believe me, I have watched headstones become unreadible as the years go by! It's just depends on the type of stone used!

[@rosemariemckinley7326]

I just love your video's..its always a personal walk in History. Respectful and Never boring. Thank you so much. Be safe. Much love.

[@BigBillAndersonsDeathTours]

Thank you so much for your kind words!👍😁💜

[@NuffinEdited]

The Dirty Dozen was a great movie, I use to watch Kojack all the time. Who loves you baby. Thanks for another respectful tour Bill

[@BigBillAndersonsDeathTours]

Thank you very much for watching this! The Dirty Dozen is a classic!👍😁

[@NuffinEdited]

@@BigBillAndersonsDeathTours Sure is my favorite movie star Lee Marvin was in it as well

[@BigBillAndersonsDeathTours]

Lee Marvin was one of my all time favorites! He is is buried at Arlington National Cemetery!

[@BostonCleaningCo]

What a life!!

[@BlackBiggot]

The best intro on KZbin

[@BigBillAndersonsDeathTours]

Thank you so much!👍👍😁😁