Telly Savalas, best known for portraying Lt. Theo Kojak in the crime drama series Kojak (1973–1978), was a proud Greek who spoke passionately about Hellenism and the importance of preserving and strengthening his roots.
Some of his other notable roles were in Birdman of Alcatraz, The Dirty Dozen, and Battle of the Bulge. Noted for his bald head and deep, resonant voice, Savalas influenced his generation in the US, Greece, and beyond.
10 facts about Telly Savalas
Below are ten interesting facts about the Greek-American star:
- A proud Greek: Savalas was known for saying “Everybody should have a little Greek in them,” and was very outspoken about his heritage. He was born to Greek-American parents Christina Kapsalis and Nick Savalas (Tsavalas). His mother was an artist while his father owned a Greek restaurant. He had four siblings and once said, “Our father raised us with great pride in being Greek, to never lose our Greek language, to never lose our religion, and the Greek pride . . . blood doesn’t become water . . . Hellenism will never be lost.” Savalas contributed to the St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church in Los Angeles and often participated in Greek Independence Day parades.
- Famous for being bald: Savalas famously shaved his head for his role as Pontius Pilate in The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965) and decided to keep the look for the rest of his life. It became his signature style, and he even joked that “everyone’s born bald.”
- Poker prowess: Savalas wasn’t just an actor; he was also a skilled poker player. He even participated in the 1992 World Series of Poker and finished in a respectable twenty-first place.
- “Who loves ya, baby?”: This became his signature line while portraying Lieutenant Theo Kojak in the detective series Kojak. While the catchphrase wasn’t originally in the script, Savalas ad-libbed it, and it stuck with audiences.
- Why Kojak loved lollipops: Savalas’ most famous character, Kojak, always seemed to have a lollipop in his mouth. Turns out, Savalas was a heavy smoker and often smoked cigarettes and cigars in the first few seasons. When he was trying to quit, lollipops were offered to him to help him stop smoking. He also admitted to having a huge sweet tooth but consuming so much sugar also led to a lot of cavities.
- Godfather to Jennifer Aniston: Savalas was a close family friend of actor John Aniston and even became Jennifer Aniston‘s godfather. She reportedly called him Nono Telly. John Aniston was also an actor who was best known for his role as Victor Kiriakis in Days of Our Lives. He first appeared on the soap opera in July 1985. Originally named Yannis Anastasakis before changing his last name, he was born in Chania, Crete in Greece.
- Lifeguard and athlete: Before his acting career took off, Savalas was a skilled swimmer and even worked as a lifeguard. This experience likely influenced his lifelong emphasis on water safety. He was also known to enjoy motorcycle racing, showcasing his adventurous spirit
- Also a singer: While he was an accomplished actor, he was also a singer and had some success on the charts, especially with covers of the songs “If” and “Some Broken Hearts Never Mend.”
- Sophisticated leisure: Beyond the thrills, Savalas enjoyed more refined hobbies such as collecting luxury cars and playing golf. He also indulged in reading romantic novels, showcasing a surprising side to his personality.
- Family awarded Greek citizenship: The family of Savalas was awarded Greek citizenship at the Consulate of Greece in Los Angeles, USA in March 2024. The recipients were the eldest daughter of Savalas, Christina Savalas Koussakis, her husband, John Peter Koussakis, and their children. The Consulate General, in a Facebook post, referred to a moment Savalas would have been proud of, writing:
“Another successful case of awarding Greek citizenship to Mrs. Christina Savalas Kousakis, daughter of the renowned Greek-American actor Telly Savalas, her husband, the acclaimed producer and director Mr John Peter Kousakis, and their children. We warmly welcome you all to the extended Greek family! Kojak would be very proud!”
Overall, Kojak, starring Savalas, differed from the lighthearted detective shows prevalent at the time. The show presented a grittier, more realistic portrayal of crime and police work with complex characters and morally ambiguous situations. This paved the way for shows like Hill Street Blues and Miami Vice, which further explored these elements.
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