Telly Savalas

Aristotelis "Telly" Savalas, born on January 21, 1922, was a Greek-American actor and singer. His deep, resonant voice and signature bald head made him instantly recognizable, and he's best remembered for his portrayal of Lt. Theo Kojak on the crime drama series Kojak from 1973 to 1978, and James Bond arch-villain Ernst Stavro Blofeld in the film On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969). His list of films include notable works like Birdman of Alcatraz (1962), The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965), Battle of the Bulge (1965), The Dirty Dozen (1967), Kelly's Heroes (1970) and many others. For Birdman of Alcatraz, he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor. Savalas also had a singing career, with his cover of the Bread song "If" topping the UK charts in 1975.

Telly Savalas, whose given name was Aristotelis Savalas, was the second of five children born to Greek parents in Garden City, New York. He initially spoke only Greek when he entered grade school, later learning English. He went on to make a name for himself as an actor, achieving wide Fame in the 50s and onwards, he is remembered as a significant figure in American television and film industry. After his acting career took off, he was considered high in demand as a guest star on TV shows and films. His signature bald look was a result of his role as Pontius Pilate in The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965), and he maintained this look for the rest of his life. Back in 1969, he starred in the British crime comedy Crooks and Coronets, his first leading role in a film. He later took on many other leading roles throughout the 70s. Despite his successful acting career, Savalas was also passionate about other hobbies such as travelling, golfing, swimming, and collecting luxury cars.