Telly Savalas

Telly Savalas

1922-01-21 Garden City, Long Island, New York, USA 93 Credits

Biography

Aristotelis "Telly" Savalas (Greek: Αριστοτέλης "Τέλι" Σαββάλας; January 21, 1922 – January 22, 1994) was an American film and television actor and singer, whose career spanned four decades. Best known for playing the title role in the 1970s crime drama Kojak, Savalas was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Birdman of Alcatraz (1962). His other movie credits include The Young Savages (1961), The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965), Battle of the Bulge (19...

Known For

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Complete Filmography

La TV des 70's : Quand Giscard était président

La TV des 70's : Quand Giscard était président

2022

as Self (archive footage)

7.2
Acting

In May 1974, Valéry Giscard d'Estaing became President of the Republic and wanted to bring about a new era of modernity. One of his first decisions wa...

Django & Django: Sergio Corbucci Unchained

Django & Django: Sergio Corbucci Unchained

2021

as Self - Actor (archive footage)

7.0
Acting

A tribute to Italian filmmaker Sergio Corbucci (1926-90), presented by American filmmaker Quentin Tarantino.

Charles Bronson: The Spirit of Masculinity

Charles Bronson: The Spirit of Masculinity

2020

as Self (archive footage)

7.8
Acting

With his grizzled moustache and chiselled features, Charles Bronson is the embodiment of a slightly archaic, brooding and almost reactionary virility....

Remote Control Magic: The Movie

Remote Control Magic: The Movie

2012

as Self (archive footage)

Acting

Remote Control Magic is the ultimate 70's channel surfing experience. Dante Fontana guides you on a journey of game shows, news broadcasts, TV shows, ...

Paul Williams Still Alive

Paul Williams Still Alive

2011

as Self (archive footage)

6.8
Acting

Filmmaker and longtime fan Stephen Kessler's portrait of the award-winning 1970s singer-songwriter-actor, who disappeared for much of the 1980s and '9...

2Everything2Terrible2: Tokyo Drift

2Everything2Terrible2: Tokyo Drift

2010

as Self (archive footage)

6.4
Acting

The team of smart-talkin' toddlers known as Everything Is Terrible! have once again emerged from their VHS cocoons to conjure a jam on culture so cult...

Operation Dirty Dozen

Operation Dirty Dozen

2006

as Self

6.0
Acting

A short film looking behind the scenes at the making of The Dirty Dozen. Showing many scenes being filmed just north of London, the short focuses most...

Backfire!

Backfire!

1995

as Most Evil Man

3.0
Acting

Just as Jeremy Jackson attempts to become the first male firewoman in New York, fires begin mysteriously erupting from toilets all over the City and F...

Mind Twister

Mind Twister

1994

as Richard Howland

3.4
Acting

Two former exotic dancers devise a plot to expose a physciatrist as the murderer of their friend.

Perfect Crimes

1991

as Self - Narrator

5.0
Acting

True stories about individuals seeking to commit a perfect crime.

Rose Against the Odds

Rose Against the Odds

1991

as George Parnassus

Acting

The story of Australian Indigenous boxer Lionel Rose from his first amateur boxing matches up until his first title fight in Japan.

Kojak: None So Blind

Kojak: None So Blind

1990

as Inspector Theo Kojak

6.0
Acting

After a flighty young woman accidentally witnesses a Mob hit in an Italian restaurant, New York Police Inspector Theo Kojak must both protect her from...

Kojak: It's Always Something

Kojak: It's Always Something

1990

as Inspector Theo Kojak

6.0
Acting

After discovering the connection between a corrupt city commissioner and Colombian killers, Kojak is framed for the murder of a call girl and is prose...

Kojak: Flowers For Matty

Kojak: Flowers For Matty

1990

as Inspector Theo Kojak

4.5
Acting

Kojak charms his way into high society to investigate art thefts that are tied to munitions smuggling and murder.

Kojak : Error Fatal

Kojak : Error Fatal

1989

as Lieutenant Theo Kojak

6.0
Acting

Investigating the murder of a writer responsible for a Mob exposed, Kojak discovers that the dead man's wife is an old flame.

Kojak: Ariana

Kojak: Ariana

1989

as Lieutenant Theo Kojak

6.0
Acting

One of Kojak's old enemies uses Ariana, a young Greek girl, as bait to trap the legendary New York detective. Meanwhile, Kojak finds himself a brash y...

The Hollywood Detective

The Hollywood Detective

1989

as Harry Bell

6.0
Acting

An actor at the end of the line who used to play a PI on TV turns to real detective work when a fan of his begs him to help her.

The Dirty Dozen: The Fatal Mission

The Dirty Dozen: The Fatal Mission

1988

as Maj. Wright

5.2
Acting

A renegade team of World War II soldiers. This time, one of the 12 is a woman and, with a Nazi spy within their midst, they're up against German warti...

Faceless

Faceless

1988

as Terry Hallen

5.8
Acting

A detective investigating a missing model in Paris uncovers a plastic surgeon’s horrifying secret involving kidnapped women, blood, and organs.

Return to the Titanic... Live!

1987

as Host

4.0
Acting

A television special hosted by Telly Savalas that features artefacts recovered from the 1987 salvage mission. Filled with expert testimonies and consp...

The Equalizer - The Movie: Blood & Wine

The Equalizer - The Movie: Blood & Wine

1987

as Brother Joseph Heiden

8.7
Acting

Robert McCall is forced to work with a former terrorist turned monk by the name of Joseph Heiden(Telly Savalas), whom he despises and mistrusts, on a ...

The Dirty Dozen: The Deadly Mission

The Dirty Dozen: The Deadly Mission

1987

as Maj. Wright

5.1
Acting

Learning of a Nazi plot to attack Washington, D.C. with a deadly nerve gas, Major Wright leads twelve convicts on a suicide mission deep into occupied...

Kojak: The Price of Justice

Kojak: The Price of Justice

1987

as Inspector Theo Kojak

4.2
Acting

When the bodies of two young boys are discovered in the Harlem River, their mother is the obvious suspect, particularly with her scandalous past. But ...

The Flintstones' 25th Anniversary Celebration

The Flintstones' 25th Anniversary Celebration

1986

7.5
Acting

A live-action and animated television special featuring clips from past episodes and spin-offs combined with new animation and musical segments.

GoBots: Battle of the Rock Lords

GoBots: Battle of the Rock Lords

1986

as Magmar (voice)

5.5
Acting

The GoBots, television's amazing transformable super heroes, star in their first full length feature film, "GoBots: War of the Rock Lords." It's wall-...

Beyond Reason

Beyond Reason

1985

as Dr. Nicholas Mati

Acting

An unconventional psychiatrist slowly begins to question his own sanity.

Beyond Reason

Beyond Reason

1985

Director, Writer

Directing Writing

An unconventional psychiatrist slowly begins to question his own sanity.

Kojak The Belarus File

Kojak The Belarus File

1985

as Lieutenant Theo Kojak

6.0
Acting

Lt. Theo Kojak uncovers a Nazi conspiracy.

The Cartier Affair

The Cartier Affair

1984

as Phil Drexler

4.2
Acting

Curt Taylor is a convict and owes Phil Drexler the number 1 convict in the prison. Now to settle his debt Drexler sends Curt to be the secretary for C...

Cannonball Run II

Cannonball Run II

1984

as Hymie

5.4
Acting

When a wealthy sheikh puts up $1 million in prize money for a cross-country car race, there is one person crazy enough to hit the road hard with wheel...

Afghanistan For What?

Afghanistan For What?

1984

Acting

The movie deals with the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan and the struggle of the Afghan people against them, through the story of an Afghan girl, a u...

Fake-Out

Fake-Out

1982

as Lt. Thurston

4.0
Acting

Gangster's girlfriend hangs out in a Las Vegas hotel with her cop protectors while she waits to testify.

Silent Rebellion

Silent Rebellion

1982

as Pete

7.0
Acting

A Greek immigrant (Savalas) and his son return to Greece, where they reunite with mother and brother and re-discover their heritage and each other. Cr...

Telly Savalas Looks at Aberdeen

Telly Savalas Looks at Aberdeen

1981

as Narrator

6.0
Acting

The star of TV's Kojak takes a look at the history and attractions of the city of Aberdeen, Scotland.

Telly Savalas Looks at Portsmouth

Telly Savalas Looks at Portsmouth

1981

as Narrator

Acting

Telly Savalas tours the coastal city of Portsmouth, with a look at the intriguing history and magnificent attractions.

Hellinger's Law

Hellinger's Law

1981

as Nick Hellinger

7.5
Acting

A flamboyant criminal lawyer named Nick Hellinger takes on the case of a syndicate's accountant (actually a Justice Department agent who has infiltrat...

Telly Savalas Looks at Birmingham

Telly Savalas Looks at Birmingham

1981

as Narrator

5.7
Acting

Telly Savalas narrates a travelogue of Birmingham in England, taking in such sights as New Street Station, the traffic control centre and dual carriag...

Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story

Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story

1980

as Cretzer

4.5
Acting

Filmed on location at Alcatraz Island, this two-part "whole story" actually concentrates on a handful of the denizens behind the cold grey walls of "T...

The Border

The Border

1980

as Frank Cooper

5.1
Acting

Frank Cooper, a senior immigration police, remains a daily struggle against mafias operating between Mexico and the United States. Although it has a g...

The Muppet Movie

The Muppet Movie

1979

as El Sleazo Tough

7.2
Acting

The Muppets gather to watch their newly-finished big-budget rich-and-famous feature film: a talent agent persuades Kermit the Frog to leave the swamp ...

Escape to Athena

Escape to Athena

1979

as Zeno

5.7
Acting

During the World War II, the prisoners of a German camp in a Greek island are trying to escape. They not only want their freedom, but also seek an ine...

Beyond the Poseidon Adventure

Beyond the Poseidon Adventure

1979

as Captain Stefan Svevo

5.1
Acting

After "The Poseidon Adventure", in which the ship got flipped over by a tidal wave, the ship drifts bottom-up in the sea. While the passengers are sti...

Capricorn One

Capricorn One

1977

as Albain

6.8
Acting

In order to protect the reputation of the American space program, a team of NASA administrators turn the first Mars mission into a phony Mars landing....

Joys

Joys

1976

as Self

4.0
Acting

Over fifty of the greatest living comedians are called to a party at Bob Hope's house, where each of them is systematically killed (and their bodies t...

Telly... Who Loves Ya, Baby?

Telly... Who Loves Ya, Baby?

1976

as Self

Acting

At the height of his KOJAK TV series fame, Telly Savalas starred in this variety special that was sponsored by Kraft Foods and shown without commercia...

Killer Force

Killer Force

1976

as Webb

5.2
Acting

Head of company security, Harry Webb, fears that a diamond theft is about to take place at their major mining complex deep in the desert. He quickly m...

Inside Out

Inside Out

1975

as Harry Morgan

6.5
Acting

An American ex-WW II POW returns to Germany 30 years after the war. He teams up with the former commander of his prison camp. Together they spring a N...

The House of Exorcism

The House of Exorcism

1975

as Leandro (archive footage)

4.7
Acting

A re-edited version of Mario Bava's "Lisa and the Devil" for the U.S. market, including newly filmed scenes involving a possessed Lisa.

She Cried Murder

She Cried Murder

1973

as Inspector Joe Brody

6.2
Acting

Fashion model Sarah Cornell, from the front car of a subway, witnesses a man pushing a woman onto the tracks to her death. Hoping to dispel the presum...

Lisa and the Devil

Lisa and the Devil

1973

as Leandro

6.3
Acting

Lisa is a tourist in an ancient city. When she gets lost, she finds an old mansion in which to shelter. Soon she is sucked into a vortex of deception,...

The Marcus-Nelson Murders

The Marcus-Nelson Murders

1973

as Lt. Theo Kojak

6.9
Acting

A homicide detective begins to suspect that the black teenager accused of murdering two white girls is being framed by his fellow detectives.

Redneck

Redneck

1973

as Memphis

4.5
Acting

Franco Nero and Telly Savalas star in the story of a trio of jewel thieves on the lam after a heist goes very wrong. Wrecking their car they take anot...

A Reason to Live, a Reason to Die

A Reason to Live, a Reason to Die

1972

as Major Ward

6.3
Acting

A dishonored Union Army officer leads a group of convicts to retake Fort Holman from the Confederate Army.

Pancho Villa

Pancho Villa

1972

as Pancho Villa

5.1
Acting

In 1916, during the Mexican Revolution, General Pancho Villa manages to escape from the clutches of General Goyo, his greatest enemy, only to face an ...

Pancho Villa

Pancho Villa

1972

Songs

5.1

In 1916, during the Mexican Revolution, General Pancho Villa manages to escape from the clutches of General Goyo, his greatest enemy, only to face an ...

Visions...

Visions...

1972

as Lt. Phil Keegan

Acting

A professor who has visions of the future informs the police that someone is about to plant a bomb. He then discovers that the police consider him the...

The Killer Is on the Phone

The Killer Is on the Phone

1972

as Ranko Drasovic

5.5
Acting

A woman whose husband was murdered five years previously, is stalked by his killer, who wants to eliminate her as a potential witness. What he doesn't...

Horror Express

Horror Express

1972

as Captain Kazan

6.3
Acting

Mysterious and unearthly deaths start to occur while Professor Saxton is transporting the frozen remains of a primitive humanoid creature he found in ...

Sonny and Jed

Sonny and Jed

1972

as Sheriff Franciscus

5.9
Acting

As thoroughly unlikeable a robber as ever walked the West, Joe nonetheless robs from the rich and gives to the poor. Not only is he a murderous, ill-t...

Crime Boss

Crime Boss

1972

as Don Vincenzo

6.4
Acting

Hit man Antonio Mancuso travels to Italy to make the big time. He meets and befriends Mafia boss Don Vincenzo. Mancurso becomes part of the organizati...

Mongo's Back in Town

Mongo's Back in Town

1971

as Lieutenant Pete Tolstad

4.8
Acting

Professional killer is hired by his brother, a gang boss, to wipe out a rival gangster.

A Town Called Hell

A Town Called Hell

1971

as Don Carlos

5.0
Acting

A group of Mexican revolutionaries murders a town priest and a number of his christian followers. Ten years later, a widow arrives in town intent to t...

Clay Pigeon

Clay Pigeon

1971

as Redford

3.4
Acting

An ex-soldier is recruited by the FBI to go undercover in L.A. and find other ex-soldiers who are part of a drug-dealing gang.

Pretty Maids All in a Row

Pretty Maids All in a Row

1971

as Captain Sam Surcher

5.8
Acting

At Oceanfront High School, female students are being targeted by an unknown serial killer. Meanwhile, a married teacher hides his flings with nubile s...

Violent City

Violent City

1970

as Al Weber

6.0
Acting

A hitman is double-crossed by his girlfriend and barely escapes a murder attempt. He then sets out to take his revenge on the woman and the gang boss ...

Kelly's Heroes

Kelly's Heroes

1970

as Master Sergeant "Big Joe"

7.3
Acting

A misfit group of World War II American soldiers goes AWOL to rob a bank behind German lines.

On Her Majesty's Secret Service

On Her Majesty's Secret Service

1969

as Ernst Stavro Blofeld

6.6
Acting

James Bond tracks his archnemesis, Ernst Blofeld, to a mountaintop retreat in the Swiss alps where he is training an army of beautiful, lethal women. ...

Land Raiders

Land Raiders

1969

as Vince Carden

5.1
Acting

An outlaw committing a string of robberies and murders manages to blame the crimes on Apaches, bringing about an Indian war.

Crooks and Coronets

Crooks and Coronets

1969

as Herbie Haseler

8.3
Acting

Two crooks are hired to rob an eccentric old lady's estate, but once they get to know her, they can't bring themselves to do it.

Mackenna's Gold

Mackenna's Gold

1969

as Sergeant Tibbs

6.6
Acting

A bandit kidnaps a Marshal who has seen a map showing a gold vein on Indian lands, but other groups are looking for it too, while the Apache try to ke...

The Assassination Bureau

The Assassination Bureau

1969

as Lord Bostwick

6.6
Acting

In 1908 London, a women's rights campaigner discovers the Assassination Bureau Limited, an organization that kills for justice. When its motives are c...

Buona Sera, Mrs. Campbell

Buona Sera, Mrs. Campbell

1968

as Walter Braddock

6.0
Acting

After the end of WWII, an Italian woman receives child support payments from three former US soldiers who all believe themselves to be the father of h...

The Scalphunters

The Scalphunters

1968

as Jim Howie

6.4
Acting

Forced to trade his valuable furs for a well-educated escaped slave, a rugged trapper vows to recover the pelts from the Indians and later the renegad...

Sol Madrid

Sol Madrid

1968

as Emil Dietrich

6.4
Acting

Government agent Sol Madrid travels to Mexico with hooker Stacey to bring mobster Villanova and drug kingpin Dietrich to justice.

The Dirty Dozen

The Dirty Dozen

1967

as Archer Maggott

7.6
Acting

12 American military prisoners in World War II are ordered to infiltrate a well-guarded enemy château and kill the Nazi officers vacationing there. Th...

The Karate Killers

The Karate Killers

1967

as Count De Fanzini

4.9
Acting

International spies Napoleon Solo (Robert Vaughn) and Illya Kuryakin (David McCallum) travel around the globe in an effort to track down a secret form...

Beau Geste

Beau Geste

1966

as Sgt. Maj. Dagineau

5.3
Acting

In 1906, two American brothers join the French Foreign Legion and, led by a sadistic Sergeant-Major, they defend a fort against Berber and Tuareg atta...

Battle of the Bulge

Battle of the Bulge

1965

as Sgt. Guffy

6.9
Acting

In the winter of 1944, the Allied Armies stand ready to invade Germany at the coming of a New Year. To prevent it, Hitler orders an all-out offensive ...

The Slender Thread

The Slender Thread

1965

as Dr. Joe Coburn

7.1
Acting

Alan is a Seattle college student volunteering at a crisis center. One night when at the clinic alone, a woman calls up the number and tells Alan that...

Genghis Khan

Genghis Khan

1965

as Shan

5.8
Acting

This is the story of the shy Mongol boy Temujin who,during the 13th century, becomes the fearless Mongol leader Genghis Khan that unites all Mongol tr...

The Greatest Story Ever Told

The Greatest Story Ever Told

1965

as Pontius Pilate

6.4
Acting

From his birth in Bethlehem to his death and eventual resurrection, the life of Jesus Christ is given the all-star treatment in this epic retelling. M...

John Goldfarb, Please Come Home!

John Goldfarb, Please Come Home!

1965

as Macmuid (uncredited)

3.4
Acting

During the Cold War, John Goldfarb crashes his spy plane in the Middle East and is taken prisoner by the local government. His captor, King Fawz, soon...

Fanfare for a Death Scene

Fanfare for a Death Scene

1964

as Ilchidai Khan

6.0
Acting

An American secret agent, on the trail of a vanished scientist, must recover the scientist's revolutionary secret formula before the enemy catches up ...

The New Interns

The New Interns

1964

as Dr. Dominic Riccio

5.0
Acting

Young doctors mix romance with their careers in a big-city hospital.

Johnny Cool

Johnny Cool

1963

as Vincenzo 'Vince' Santangelo

5.3
Acting

A deported gangster trains an Italian convict to take over his operations in the U.S.

Love Is a Ball

Love Is a Ball

1963

as Dr. Christian Gump (Millie's uncle)

4.6
Acting

Etienne makes a good living out of marrying off poor but titled young men to rich but untitled young ladies. Millicent is now in his sights on the Riv...

The Man from the Diners' Club

The Man from the Diners' Club

1963

as Mr. Martindale

5.0
Acting

Meek credit card company clerk Ernest Klenk is feeling the pressure of demanding coworkers, new computers, and an upcoming wedding. This stress leads ...

The Interns

The Interns

1962

as Dr. Dominic Riccio

5.4
Acting

During their first year of internship at New North Hospital, a group of aspiring doctors undergo both personal and professional upheavals.

Birdman of Alcatraz

Birdman of Alcatraz

1962

as Feto Gomez

7.5
Acting

After killing a prison guard, convict Robert Stroud faces life imprisonment in solitary confinement. Driven nearly mad by loneliness and despair, Stro...

Cape Fear

Cape Fear

1962

as Private Detective Charles Sievers

7.4
Acting

Sam Bowden witnesses a rape committed by Max Cady and testifies against him. When released after 8 years in prison, Cady begins stalking Bowden and hi...

The Sin of Jesus

1961

as Felix

4.8
Acting

An egg-sorting woman shrugs off even the appearance of Christ. From Isaak Babel story.

The Young Savages

The Young Savages

1961

as Detective Lt. Gunderson

6.4
Acting

A district attorney investigates the racially charged case of three teenagers accused of the murder of a blind Puerto Rican boy.

Mad Dog Coll

Mad Dog Coll

1961

as Lt. Dawson

5.4
Acting

Killer Vincent "Mad Dog" Coll moves in on gangster Dutch Schultz in 1920s New York.