Telly Savalas--Biography

Telly Savalas was my 1st cousin twice removed. My Yiayia loved him (first cousins). She would babysit him when he was a kid. Hence, Yiayia would be happy I am posting this old video on KZbin :)

[@kasession]

My father...An African American of the Greatest Generation LOVED Kojak. LOVED IT!!!

[@JohnpaulDejoria666]

I’m 42 and remember my grandmother watching Kojak reruns. I just bought the first three seasons. One of the best shows, your pops knew what’s up!

[@JohnpaulDejoria666]

@@dickpunch ain’t about you either

[@Ann-ub4mf]

I loved that show, still do.😊

[@davegold9842]

I worked with Telly in London in the sixties, making an album which, unfortunately, never saw the light of day. We became friends and hung around together quite a bit. He came to dinner at our house with Sally Adams and spent some time in our local pub, much to the amazement of the locals. He was a cultured and very warm person and a joy to be around.

[@daphnetheophanous4679]

Dave Gold I’m reading some great stories here thank you for yours.

[@helenward3886]

@@daphnetheophanous4679I will

[@donaldking5114]

Hi my name is Donald King Tell me more about him

[@danahoward759]

Wow! What a great story. Good memories

[@saadiakhalid6938]

Telly Savalas gave a new life and dimension to every character he played. No one could do it like him

[@shareebrown727]

He was a natural. And it's odd to me how they keep saying "he wasn't good looking". That man was unquestionably Gorgeous.

[@jeremysears4263]

They're measuring by W.A.S.P standards. Narrowed and sharper looks. What's considered the "Golden Ratio"....

[@cymbelinebritain6799]

Omg I think so too. His personality just added to his sexiness too didn't it? He often played a bad guy but in real life he was soft, warm and endearing. He was the whole package. I agree...unquestionably gorgeous.

[@CanuckleheadHistory]

@Steven GENNERO Bootz Prima Donna

[@zovalentine7305]

Amen!

[@donalee2023]

Yeah isn’t that something… He was not only good looking he was one of the most charismatic people I have ever known. In all my years, I have never met anyone like him!

[@elenamamais6047]

It is so wonderful to stumble upon this link. My mother and Telly were first cousins. Thea Christina and Thea Millie were sisters to my mom's father Panagioti Kapsalis. That was Telly's mother maiden name - from Anogeia - a small lovely village close to Saprta. I remember both my great aunts coming to Toronto every year brining us clothes and gifts - we were so poor. They loved my mom very much. I have photos of Aunt Christina, Aunt Millie and thea Christina's daughter in many weddings of families. So we are family! Thank you so very much for this. Elena from Toronto

[@chadfarber6147]

@Elena Mamais….it’s wonderful for you to be alive, watch this biography, and share sweet memories of your beloved family…thank you for sharing with us…we were all drawn into Telly…just couldn’t help it…he definitely had “IT”…a gift from God… Rest In Peace Telly Savalas

[@elenamamais6047]

@@chadfarber6147 Amen

[@luciabitonte8276]

​@@chadfarber6147 Si non potevamo farne a meno e continuiamo a vivere di lui.

[@danahoward759]

What beautiful memories you must have. The whole world was fond of him❤️

[@Just_Sayin5280]

Pleeeze!! That man was gorgeous as heck!!

[@darlenehoward2340]

When I was a girl, Kojak was my first crush. After watching this show, I realized that Telly looks & mannerisms were very much like my own father, who died a few years before Kojak started. I'd always found older men much more interesting than guys my age. My father was 53 when I was born, & died at 60. Now I get why my first crush at 10 years old was on a man in his fifties. Now I'm going to go look for Kojak reruns here on KZbin.

[@craigsmith2030]

One of the best grittiest series ever kojak was. No CGI and no tricks. Theo, crocker, stavros, sapperstein, rizzo and frank his captain they made kojak pure class. It was filmed on the streets and came through as almost believable how real they made it. R.I.P telly and who loves ya baby, wee always will.

[@ajsmith5295]

I have a unreleased Elvis Presley concert in Las Vegas and he introduces Telly Savalas to the audience and says this is my favourite TV cop

[@annaelvis3138]

Telly was Natural, charismatic,and classy.R.I.P. dear Telly never forgotten.

[@peterhatzioannides7120]

RIP Jerry Orbach 1935-2004

[@bryanhead2670]

One of my earliest childhood memories watching the opening credits of kojak. Great actor!!!

[@dumaadriana6151]

Un actor fenomenal va ramane vesnic in iniminile noastre.💖🌹

[@jsdspif3]

Saw him during his Kojak years while taking one of the movie studios tour. I was about 10 years old and as the tour guide is talking about something or other he came out of a little bungalow type building. I went nuts "there's Kojak!" and he climbed into his car I went running to his car and a lady also on the tour was right behind me screaming "let me take your picture!" The car stopped and the window went down and he removed his sucker from his mouth and said what else...."who loves ya baby?". My mom was so embarrassed she wanted to leave the tour. That's about the only thing I talked about for about the next year. I thought Kojak was just about the coolest guy on the planet.

[@danahoward759]

I think I would've reacted the same way .lol What a great memory

[@NYVoice]

I saw him in The Scalphunters with Lancaster (1968). He was such a gifted actor. My favorite was Big Joe in Kelly's Heroes.

[@gailhochberg3464]

In 1977, my parents and I went to join some cousins at Ceasar’s Palace in Las Vegas and we were swimming in the pool with the cast and crew of “Kojak.”. Telly was so nice and friendly.

[@MrBiscotti2011]

Here is a true story about Telly Savalas. He was filming Kojak in NYC near the city automobile impound lot. During a break he wandered over there and found a young woman crying because her car had been towed and she didn't have the money to pay to get it out. Telly not only paid her fine, he paid everyone's fine that was waiting there. I love Telly Savalas. Loved him in every movie or performance I have ever seen him in. Especially Dirty Dozen. I was in England in 1975 and people there were crazy about him. Posters of him everywhere. Well deserved. He was terrific.

[@rowdyyates4273]

Telly was a very nice guy i worked on a Baccardi drink advert with him at Bray studios, he had a brother with him, He was Really laid back and charming being around him made people relaxed!! i recall he smoked mooros ciggies, --Great actor and even greater in real life!----"who Loves Ya Baby"--a hell of a lot Telly, a HELL of a lot, it was a pleasure to have met him. x

[@dcgeorgia6307]

Yes. I read somewhere that the Queen loved Kojak and watched it every week. She probably had a crush on Telly too.

[@jeremysears4263]

​@@dcgeorgia6307 She definitely did lol😅

[@luciabitonte8276]

Davvero?Era anche una persona buona e donava e aiutava gli altri? Bè....se questo non è essere belli? Più si cose su questo grande uomo,oltre che artista .. più me ne innamorò.Grazie

[@harrys.3165]

Telly was old school cool without even trying. Cool has now become a thing of the past.

[@waverider227]

Aint that the truth!

[@jeremysears4263]

Cool associated with "Masculinity" is a thing of the past. Cool is always cool

[@harrys.3165]

@@jeremysears4263 yeah right.Old school cool does not exist now.Today's cool has an entirely different meaning in case you have not noticed

[@geemanbmw]

There will NEVER BE ANOTHER TELLY SAVALAS NEVER!!! Loved him.

[@StukInBuf]

After God made him, He broke the mold.

[@peterforai2210]

SuperPat88 ser

[@jairousl.parkersr.4293]

I think that all of us that were fortunate enough to have him grace us with his presence. He was 200% man with class.

[@jairousl.parkersr.4293]

@@StukInBuf That's for sure. None even close.

[@kendallevans4079]

False! There are plenty of homophobic assholes in the world

[@BluesHarpJammin]

"Who loves ya, baby?" RIP, Mr. Savalas.

[@YoungHeartedSoul]

what a smooth guy, still remember watching his show. passed away a day after his birthday.

[@johnpeel2300]

Absolutely! Telly Savalos was my hero! Besides, he played in my favorite James Bond film

[@raytylicki9001]

Jerry Orbach hosting a Bio on Telly Savalas one legend on another.

[@sharolddelilahkelly8005]

Orbach Was On A 1975 Two-Parter Of: "Kojak", As Well.

[@tanyapetersen8535]

My family was a big fan of Telly Savalas. He was the best.

[@karenslater9869]

He Was One Of Kind. Always Love For You Telly 💜

[@erniescullion8452]

This guy is pretty talented. Thank you .who loves you baby.

[@navblue20]

And the guy doing the intro wasn't too bad a New York Cop as well. Jerry Orbach was outstanding in Law and Order.

[@jochenreinhardt3504]

Thank you for posting this Biography about Telly, he was one of my favourite Actors. I wonder why there has never been a Book published about this great Actor, and I mean one that is updated.

[@zentafergiefergie7044]

What a great actor I miss all these wonderful days 🦕

[@petrutarapeanu4295]

Un mare, mare actor drag sufletului meu ! Dumnezeu sa-l odihneasca in ceruri !!!👌👍❤

[@citizen1163]

great bio..who didn't like Telly?! He really must've been quite exceptional for all his extended families, AND wives, to speak well of him. Thanx for sharing.

[@mariadasilva863]

pamla motown hahahahalol u recon ?

[@lisahaganLFC]

i am born in 1980,1 september, long after Kojak was filmed,still Kojak is one of me favourite ever series, dont know how mahy times ive seen them all... something with them,that i havent seen in any other series, and Telly is the star offcourse...one of a kind,special.

[@MJ-fm4wy]

Can you imagine him as The Godfather instead of Brando! Wow what a dynamic he would've brought! I also see Mike Myers' inspiration for Dr. Evil!

[@donalee2023]

Beautifully done! He had a magic! We had some special moments. He and his mama… said some things said to me that I will always cherish. I was able to sit with Christina on her last day here. I attended both funerals and the gatherings afterwards held at the Sheraton Universal. Upon returning from the funeral for Telly, I pulled up behind a parked vehicle and the Oregon license plate on the VW Bus read KOJAK! Many, many circumstances played into that moment being possible! He was a gentle giant! I miss him 🥺❤️🫂🙏

[@OlympicLeprechaun]

Telly was the epitome of cool and the personification of tough.

[@professionalgun6674]

I loved Telly Savalas and loved watching Kojak every week as a kid back in the 70s. Then in 1980 I went to the Bob Hope Golf Classic especially to see Telly and Clint Eastwood. Eastwood didn't show up but Telly did. He got out of the limousine and automatically signed autographs and I said to him "Who loves ya baby" and he pointed at me. Later on I had my picture taken with him..."Sure kid" he said when I asked. He was awesome.

[@mexicanfries5336]

Telly had talent and charisma in spades.

[@Dsky40]

When people say he wasn’t good looking, I’m just amazed. He was very good looking and had a swagger.

[@bonniescott6470]

Dsky40 I agree

[@kendallevans4079]

Ewwww.......!

[@aleanagoodman4607]

I totally agree...very sexy.

[@gwenrichards1704]

He was Very Sexy Looking !!

[@LtFaceMan]

He exuded it - it came from within. 🔥

[@betteroffdead]

Although my father never strayed, he had some of the same aura of this great actor. And, was a fan.

[@Cml725]

I loved his cover version of "If". So sincere.

[@theonemesis5217]

Ο ΘΕΟΣ ΑΣ ΑΝΑΠΑΥΣΕΙ ΤΗΝ ΨΥΧΗ ΣΟΥ! May God rest your soul, our dear beloved brother Aristotle! All of us, Greeks, from the old country, will remember you, always, with love!

[@anastasiapanaou5626]

Yes we will always love Telly Savalas. Very good video, thank you. God rest his soul.

[@08CARIB]

I just feel so terrible for his first wife, it was just glossed over that she basically supported him for years and almost lost everything because of him, and then he hits it big while married to another women.. LESSON: take care of yourself, look out for number one!

[@MichaelJohnson-kx3ln]

Telly Savalas & Anthony Quinn, are real true life tough guys,nice guys & intelligent gentlemen in their life time, witch they incorporated in their business of making great movies...nuff said.

[@over50andfantabulous59]

As a young teen, my sisters thought I was crazy cuz I thought he was handsome and charming.

[@dakotail]

At lease he took care of his family!! RIP "TELLY" ~~~~

[@josipaerent3562]

RIP TELLY Savalas!!

[@adel-711]

He was one of a kind.

[@pamnamisniak3158]

He was a great actor . I watched Kojak and never missed an episode. He was on an episode of Alice.

[@SKBottom]

One of my childhood heroes. I loved him in everything, not just Kojack. I wish I had known him.

[@itsmesia2469]

*Kojak

[@Byzantine41]

Fact. In 1992 he finished around the top 20 in the World Series of Poker.

[@alcastro4909]

He Was One Of A, Kind !!!

[@tommywayne8153]

Telly is like a hero to greeks like myself

[@geminisixx4]

Thank you for posting this!...We Greeks have someone to look up to

[@2msvalkyrie529]

Greeks Have a LOT to look up to ! ...and I'm not even Greek ! Can't give full list but Greece to me is Paradise on Earth !

[@kevinfernandes1882]

greek culture is very rich and insightful. They brought a lot to the world

[@MrGiorgioud]

geminisixx4 what, apart from all the geniuses who invented civilisation like Pythagoras, Plato, Socrates, Sappho, Taletes, Pericles, all the incredible musicians like Markos Vanvakaris, Mikis Theodorakis, Manolis Khiotis, poets like Yorgos Seferis, etc. and I could go on and on and on and on? You Greeks have it all, man!!!

[@josephromano6825]

He was the best! Very talented!

[@suzib777]

I was going to live in Athens and remember watching Kojak there. That summer I visited my parents in California and saw the series there as well. Very entertaining.

[@zanegrey4720]

Good tv show . Telly was a good actor.

[@Broblem12]

Glad to watch this. A fine actor.

[@michaelangelopaterson233]

What a great Actor 👏 he was a awesome 👌

[@v.a.993]

I loved him in The Twighlight Zone and Alfred Hitchcock episodes. Talky Tina loved him baby...lol...and so did I.

[@AfterwardDeified]

As someone who watched Kojak's entire run over six months last year, this was an illuminating and fascinating biography of Telly Savalas' extraordinary life. Who loves ya, baby? We all do.

[@laurallama73]

Testosterone and charisma for dayzzz, this guy! ❤️

[@paulcooper5748]

I have that also.

[@BlackStorm555]

My earliest memory of his was Buona Sera, Mrs. Campbell. And Twilight Zone episode with the talking Tina Doll.

[@robinsinpost]

He was cool before cool was cool.

[@totall2952]

I agree

[@shawni321]

I think he was so handsome. It's surprising to hear these folks say he was not. He simply oozed confidence.

[@jolenaagapisou3803]

Confidence we Greeks don’t lack!! Lol - I’m always being told that, but I’m not cocky about it either - lol

[@shawni321]

@@jolenaagapisou3803 Hi, one of my friends is Greek. You would not find a more open, honest (good and bad) straight-to-your-face person.

[@jolenaagapisou3803]

Shawni Ysais - we Greeks tend to be upfront, sometimes too much - lol

[@haumea420]

He wasn't a handsome man(to me) but he bled sexiness in his mannerisms❤I would of fallen for him. For real🥰

[@rickypereira5112]

Rip Telly Savalas e rip Jerry Orbach

[@andrewwhite7188]

Telly's Youngest Daughter Ariana is so Beautiful and so talented and has such a Sweet voice!

[@brendabradley271]

He had charisma bless him x

[@zovalentine7305]

Rest in powerful peace Aristotelis Savalas 🙏 21 January 1922 ~ 22 January 1994⚘

[@loosewheels1000]

As a child in the 70's, I use to be able to stay up and watch 'Kojak' one of the best to come out of America

[@jarmainebeckwith5818]

loosewheels1000

[@depaola63]

Me too !! I am 56 in 2 weeks and we sure had THE BEST of times to be young in America !!

[@bmrosario8961]

I hope you lady's speak. Greek in his honor. I miss his programs & have season 1. Thanks for posting. FROM L. A. CA. USA. I went ? Bought all 5 seasons I loved it. Miss The 70 era. But there I have Telly. Thanks For posting this video

[@angeliatsavalas4224]

Telly was all man, I miss you Telly and always will sa agap'o

[@ajsmith5295]

This is another true story I'm about 5-ft 11 5-ft 12 heavy built with a shaved head I used to frequent the West End quite a bit with my wife in the early days and there was this particular restaurant and Indian restaurant and they thought that Telly Savalas was my uncle and they used to give me extra special star treatment 3 bottles of wine discount on my meals it was brilliant last three like a celebrity because of him rest in peace telly

[@rachelgreen4510]

He'd probably be proud of that!

[@DrewSohl]

His best movie role was in Kelly's Hero's.Never mentioned in this bio.

[@totall2952]

I agree class act in that movie

[@irenestewart1942]

He was so good in the Birdman movie!

[@TheKonga88]

IRENE STEWART 🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦🐥🐥🐥🐤🐤🐤🐤🐣🐣🐣🐣🐣🐓🐓🐓🐓🐓🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐣🐣🐣🐤🐤🐤🐤🐤🐥🐥🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦

[@2msvalkyrie529]

And check out Horror Express . It was a fairly low budget Hammer type horror movie . Telly really chewed up the scenery ! Playing a Cossack ...again ! A Cossack with a strong similarity to Kojak I have to admit.

[@chadfarber6147]

“Who loves ya baby?” Simply awesome…great memories… 🇺🇸RIP KOJAK🇺🇸

[@MichaelJohnson-kx3ln]

Who loves ya baby!...God bless Telly Savalas.

[@chuckynickolodean8420]

He had the sexiest voice...

[@stevenimeson902]

He's a true genius and gentlemen! Played the best blofeld

[@reimourrpower9357]

Salutes Aristotle Telly Savalas. I swore he was a lightskinned Black man as cool as he was. Will always love ya baby, thank you Telly.

[@user-vo5mf3ly9s]

He had charismatic ψυχή which it's mean soul in greek

[@coffeenow2382]

A great voice.....just ask any woman🗣

[@ai6894]

Interesting guy! I still remember his Player's Club commercials and when he hosted a TV special on the _Titanic_ . Long after his death, I was surprised to learn about he was haunted by a ghost in real life.

[@francissullivan6400]

Kojak is the REAL OLD SCHOOL NYC police man.

[@dmax64]

My cousin lived across the street from him in San Bernadino and babysat his 2 youngest children.Her name is Michelle and she said he was always very kind.

[@sopdox]

I had a friend that I have since lost touch with over the years. She is a goddaughter of his. Unfortunately, she did not have the same fondness for him that most others do.

[@tonyarceneaux286]

Telly Savalas ( as Kojack) " Who loves you baby?" TV viewers " We do."

[@attila7092]

I was never a fan of Telly Savalas but couldn't help admire his confidence. It took guts to try to make it in 1960s Hollywood as a balding man. Most guys go into a depression with that problem

[@jolenaagapisou3803]

He was losing his hair, so he shaved his head; Yul Brynner did the same thing, both men sexy & charismatic, although I’m not fond of baldness - lol

[@sharl5737]

@@jolenaagapisou3803 actually he was asked to shave his head for the role of Pontious Pilate so he did. Afterwards though he still liked the look and left it.

[@OlympicLeprechaun]

One little detail that I'm surprised wasn't mentioned is that he was Jennifer Aniston's godfather.

[@martynrudd6070]

Yep he was great, cool and a nice guy don't make them like that anymore. loved him

[@ihannah02]

I love him the The Dirty Dozen! He did a good psycho!!

[@elainebmack]

Telly Savalas also had a keen sense of humor. His guest appearance on the Carol Burnett Show in a skit with Harvey Korman was truly hilarious. He even lampooned his Kojak character.

[@carolynniezgoda1229]

I was a dancer at Trudy Hellers , Greenwich Village, Telly Savalas and his co star, walked into the club, it was a rainy weeknight, the club was empty. I had the opportunity to dance with Telly. He gave me his autograph . Fun night Great memories.

[@zovalentine7305]

HE. WAS. HANDSOME. 😍 🌟🤩😍🌟🤩😍🌟 🤩 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@reddevilparatrooper]

The truckers CB code had a "Kojack with a Kodak" meaning a highway patrolman with a radar gun.A "Kojack" meant also highway patrolman because of his helmet as being bald as Kojack in the television series.

[@OlympicLeprechaun]

It's a shame that we're a generation removed from his peak years. I have said that he would have been the perfect Lex Luthor.

[@jeremysears4263]

FACTS

[@MichaelJohnson-kx3ln]

True family men...Telly Savalas & Anthony Quinn...tuff as nails.

[@donnajocatlady3839]

One of my kitties is Tesla Savalas. He's masculine yet an artiste.

[@bonniescott6470]

He was a good actor 🍭

[@danbev9313]

Wow, bladder cancer killed his father and Telly. Telly did smoke like a chimney

[@zovalentine7305]

I'm glad to learn his lollipop was a healthier substitute for the cancer sticks

[@zackpapazahariou6557]

I like the Kojack show. A lot!