Telly Savalas

Biography

Son of Greek immigrants. Soldier during World War II. Studied psychology. Worked as journalist for ABC News. The bald-headed actor played character roles, often as sadistic or psychotic types. He became a TV favorite in the 1970s when his role as Det. Theo Kojak in the TV movie Kojak: The Marcus-Nelson Murders (1973) was expanded into the gritty Kojak (1973) TV series, lasting from 1973-78.