Ethan Walker
Telly Savalas, born Aristotelis Savalas, was a Greek-American actor, singer, director, and producer. He was born in Garden City, New York, on January 21, 1922, to Greek immigrant parents, Christina and Nick Savalas. Savalas grew up speaking Greek and was raised traditionally with Greek Orthodox values. He was a strong contributor to the Greek Orthodox faith and was involved in the Greek-American community, participating in many Greek parades in New York as Grand Marshall. Savalas was also a philanthropist and supported many Hellenic causes worldwide. While it is unclear if he identified as Greek Catholic, his strong connections to the Greek Orthodox faith and Greek culture are well-documented.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Aristotelis "Telly" Savalas |
| Birth Date | 21 January 1922 |
| Birthplace | Garden City, New York |
| Parents | Nick and Christina Savalas |
| Heritage | Greek on both sides |
| Religion | Greek Orthodox |
| Education | Sewanhaka High School, Columbia University (Degree in Psychology) |
| Career | Actor, Singer, Producer, Director |
| Notable Works | Kojak, Birdman of Alcatraz, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, The Dirty Dozen, Kelly's Heroes, Escape to Athena |
| Hobbies/Interests | Poker, Motorcycle Racing, Lifeguarding, Golf, Swimming, Reading, Football, Travelling, Horse Racing, Gambling |
| Philanthropy | Supported Hellenic causes, Brought electricity to his ancestral home in Greece |
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What You'll Learn
Telly Savalas was a Greek-American
Telly Savalas, born Aristotelis Savalas, was a Greek-American actor, singer, director, and producer. He was born in Garden City, New York, on January 21, 1922, to Greek parents, Christina (an artist) and Nick Savalas (a restaurant owner). His grandparents were from Ierakas, Greece, and he was raised traditionally with Greek Orthodox values, initially speaking only Greek when he entered grade school. Savalas was a proud contributor to his Greek Orthodox roots through the Saint Sophia and Saint Nicholas cathedrals in Los Angeles and sponsored bringing electricity to his ancestral home in the 1970s. He was also a strong advocate for water safety.
Savalas served in World War II and later studied psychology at Columbia University under the GI Bill, obtaining a degree in the subject. He began his acting career in films in 1961 and is best known for his role as Lt. Theo Kojak in the crime drama series Kojak (1973-1978). He also appeared in several successful movies in the 1960s and 1970s, including Birdman of Alcatraz (1962), The Dirty Dozen (1967), and On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969). He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Birdman of Alcatraz.
In addition to his acting career, Savalas was a world-renowned poker player, ranking 21st in the Poker World Series in 1992. He was also a motorcycle racer and lifeguard. His hobbies included golfing, swimming, reading romantic books, watching football, travelling, collecting luxury cars, and gambling. He was a close friend of Frank Sinatra, who once defended his singing abilities to a critic. Savalas passed away on January 22, 1994, from complications of prostate and bladder cancer, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most legendary Greek-American figures in the entertainment industry.
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He was raised with Greek Orthodox values
Telly Savalas was a Greek-American actor, singer, director, and producer, best known for his role as Lieutenant Theo Kojak in the 1970s crime drama series Kojak. He was born in Garden City, New York, on 21 January 1922, to Greek immigrant parents, Nick and Christina Savalas. His father was a Greek restauranteur from Gerakas, Greece, in the Peloponnese, while his mother was a New York artist who was a native of Sparta. Telly Savalas was raised traditionally, with Greek Orthodox values.
When he entered grade school, Savalas initially spoke only Greek. However, he later learned English and graduated from Sewanhaka High School in Floral Park, New York, in 1940. He won a spelling bee at Cobbett Junior High School in Lynn, Massachusetts, in 1934. Due to an oversight, he did not receive his prize until 1991. After high school, he worked as a beach lifeguard. He also served in World War II and later studied psychology at Columbia University under the GI Bill.
Throughout his life, Telly Savalas remained proud of his Greek heritage and was a strong contributor to his Greek Orthodox roots. He was involved in the Saint Sophia and Saint Nicholas cathedrals in Los Angeles, California, and sponsored bringing electricity to his ancestral home, Ierakas, in the 1970s. He was also a philanthropist and supported many Hellenic causes, connecting with other Greeks in major cities around the world.
Telly Savalas passed away on 22 January 1994, at the age of 72, from complications of prostate and bladder cancer. His funeral was held at the Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Church in Los Angeles, California, and was attended by family and celebrities, including Jennifer Aniston, Frank Sinatra, and Angie Dickinson.
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He contributed to Greek Orthodox roots
Telly Savalas, the American actor famous for his iconic bald head and his roles in films such as *The Dirty Dozen* and *On Her Majesty's Secret Service*, was indeed of Greek descent and a practising member of the Greek Orthodox Church. Born Aristotelis Savalas in 1922 in New York City, he was the son of Greek immigrants, Christina and Nick Savalas, who were originally from the island of Samos. Savalas was raised in a devoutly religious household and his faith played a significant role throughout his life.
Savalas was proud of his Greek heritage and openly spoke about it throughout his career. He often referenced his Orthodox faith in interviews and publicly expressed his gratitude for the values and ethics it instilled in him. The actor once stated, "My Orthodox faith has been a guiding light in my life, teaching me humility, respect, and the importance of family and community."
Savalas's contribution to his Greek Orthodox roots was significant. He was actively involved in the Greek Orthodox community in the United States and used his celebrity status to support and promote various initiatives. He attended religious services regularly and was often invited to speak at Greek Orthodox events and fundraisers. Savalas also contributed financially to the construction and maintenance of Greek Orthodox churches and community centres across the country.
One of his most notable contributions was his support for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. He served as a member of its advisory board and participated in numerous fundraising campaigns. In recognition of his dedication and support, the Archdiocese honoured him with the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Award for Excellence in 1992. This award is given to individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership and service to the Greek Orthodox community.
In addition to his philanthropic efforts, Savalas also brought attention to Greek culture and traditions through his work in the entertainment industry. He incorporated aspects of his heritage into his roles, adding depth and authenticity to his characters. For example, in the popular television series *Kojak*, in which he played the titular role of a New York City police detective, Savalas incorporated Greek cultural elements, such as Greek cuisine and the use of Greek proverbs.
Savalas's commitment to his faith and heritage extended beyond his professional life. He passed on his Greek Orthodox faith and cultural values to his children, instilling in them a sense of pride in their heritage. Savalas once said, "My greatest legacy is ensuring that my children know their Greek heritage and understand the importance of faith and family."
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Savalas was a fluent Greek speaker
Telly Savalas was a Greek-American actor, singer, director, and producer. He was born in Garden City, New York, in 1922, to Greek immigrant parents, Nick and Christina Savalas. His father was a Greek restauranteur from Gerakas, Greece, in the Peloponnese, while his mother was a New York artist who was a native of Sparta. Savalas was raised traditionally and with Greek Orthodox values, and as a result, he initially spoke only Greek when he entered grade school. However, he later learned English and graduated from high school in 1940.
Savalas remained fluent in Greek throughout his life and was proud of his Greek heritage. He was a strong contributor to the Greek Orthodox community, particularly through the Saint Sophia and Saint Nicholas cathedrals in Los Angeles. He was also the sponsor of bringing electricity to his ancestral home, Yeraka, Greece, in the 1970s. In addition to his religious contributions, Savalas took part as Grand Marshall in many Greek parades in New York.
Savalas's deep, resonant voice and bald head became his signature look, and he often played tough or dangerous character roles, sometimes as sadists or psychotics. He is best known for his role as Lt. Theo Kojak in the crime drama series Kojak, in which he played a bald New York City detective with a fondness for lollipops and the tagline, "Who loves ya, baby?". Kojak's lollipop gimmick was added to indulge the actor's sweet tooth and curb his heavy smoking onscreen.
In addition to his acting career, Savalas was a world-renowned poker player, ranking 21st in the Poker World Series in 1992. He was also a motorcycle racer, a lifeguard, and a philanthropist who supported many Hellenic causes. He was considered by those who knew him to be a generous, graceful, and compassionate man.
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He was proud of his Greek heritage
Telly Savalas was a Greek-American actor, singer, director, and producer. He was born in Garden City, New York, in 1922, to Greek immigrant parents, Nick and Christina Savalas. His father was a Greek restauranteur from Gerakas, Greece, in the Peloponnese, while his mother was a New York artist who was a native of Sparta. Savalas and his brother, Gus, sold newspapers and polished shoes to help support their family.
When he entered grade school, Savalas initially spoke only Greek and remained fluent in the language throughout his life. He was raised traditionally with Greek Orthodox values and was proud of his Greek heritage. He was a strong contributor to his Greek Orthodox roots through the Saint Sophia and Saint Nicholas cathedrals in Los Angeles. He also sponsored bringing electricity in the 1970s to his ancestral home, Ierakas, Greece.
Savalas proudly participated in the Greek-American community and served as Grand Marshall at many Greek parades in New York. He was also a philanthropist and supported many Hellenic causes, making friends with prominent Greeks in major cities worldwide, including Illinois state senators Steven G. Nash and Samuel Maragos, and Greek millionaire Simeon Frangos.
Savalas's deep, resonant voice and bald head made him an iconic figure. He is best known for his role as Lt. Theo Kojak in the crime drama series Kojak, in which he played a bald New York City detective with a fondness for lollipops and the tagline, "Who loves ya, baby?" Kojak's other catchphrase was "Everybody should have a little Greek in them." Savalas's other notable roles include the James Bond supervillain Ernst Stavro Blofeld in On Her Majesty's Secret Service and his Academy Award-nominated performance in Birdman of Alcatraz.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Telly Savalas was of Greek descent on both sides.
No, Telly Savalas was Greek Orthodox.
Telly Savalas was best known for his role as Lt. Theo Kojak in the police drama series Kojak.
Telly Savalas was famously bald, a look he adopted after playing Pontius Pilate in The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965).
Yes, Telly Savalas was also a singer. He released a cover of the Bread song "If", which became a UK number-one single in 1975.
