Telly Savalas - Actor Profile

Telly Savalas

Acting
Freshness: Jan 19, 2026
50Total Films
8.7 Highest Rated
Born: Jan 21, 1922
Birth Place: Garden City, Long Island, New York, USA

About Telly Savalas

Aristotelis "Telly" Savalas (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 (1965), The Dirty Dozen (1967), The Scalphunters (1968), supervillain Ernst Stavro Blofeld in the James Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969), Kelly's Heroes (1970), Pretty Maids All in a Row (1971), Inside Out (1975) and Escape to Athena (1979).

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of Telly Savalas reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.

Genre Dominance: Thriller

The majority of Telly Savalas's filmography leans towards the Thriller genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.

The "Box Office" Signature

With a 42% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Telly Savalas remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in The Equalizer - The Movie: Blood & Wine, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best Telly Savalas Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Telly Savalas's career based on audience ratings.

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Telly Savalas.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2022 La TV des 70's : Quand Giscard était président Self (archive footage) Hit Similar →
2021 Django & Django: Sergio Corbucci Unchained Self - Actor (archive footage) Hit Similar →
2010 2Everything2Terrible2: Tokyo Drift Self (archive footage) Average Similar →
2006 Operation Dirty Dozen Self Average Similar →
1990 Kojak: None So Blind Inspector Theo Kojak Average Similar →
1990 Kojak: It's Always Something Inspector Theo Kojak Average Similar →
1989 Kojak : Error Fatal Lieutenant Theo Kojak Average Similar →
1989 Kojak: Ariana Lieutenant Theo Kojak Average Similar →
1989 The Hollywood Detective Harry Bell Average Similar →
1988 Faceless Terry Hallen Average Similar →
1987 The Equalizer - The Movie: Blood & Wine Brother Joseph Heiden Super Hit Similar →
1986 The Flintstones' 25th Anniversary Celebration - Super Hit Similar →
1986 GoBots: Battle of the Rock Lords Magmar (voice) Average Similar →
1985 Kojak The Belarus File Lieutenant Theo Kojak Average Similar →
1984 Cannonball Run II Hymie Flop Similar →
1982 Silent Rebellion Pete Hit Similar →
1981 Telly Savalas Looks at Aberdeen Narrator Average Similar →
1981 Hellinger's Law Nick Hellinger Super Hit Similar →
1981 Telly Savalas Looks at Birmingham Narrator Average Similar →
1979 The Muppet Movie El Sleazo Tough Hit Similar →
1979 Escape to Athena Zeno Average Similar →
1977 Capricorn One Albain Hit Similar →
1975 Inside Out Harry Morgan Hit Similar →
1973 She Cried Murder Inspector Joe Brody Hit Similar →
1973 Lisa and the Devil Leandro Average Similar →
1973 The Marcus-Nelson Murders Lt. Theo Kojak Hit Similar →
1972 A Reason to Live, a Reason to Die Major Ward Average Similar →
1972 Horror Express Captain Kazan Average Similar →
1972 Sonny and Jed Sheriff Franciscus Average Similar →
1972 Crime Boss Don Vincenzo Average Similar →
1971 Pretty Maids All in a Row Captain Sam Surcher Average Similar →
1970 Violent City Al Weber Average Similar →
1970 Kelly's Heroes Master Sergeant "Big Joe" Hit Similar →
1969 On Her Majesty's Secret Service Ernst Stavro Blofeld Hit Similar →
1969 Land Raiders Vince Carden Flop Similar →
1969 Crooks and Coronets Herbie Haseler Super Hit Similar →
1969 Mackenna's Gold Sergeant Tibbs Hit Similar →
1969 The Assassination Bureau Lord Bostwick Hit Similar →
1968 Buona Sera, Mrs. Campbell Walter Braddock Average Similar →
1968 The Scalphunters Jim Howie Average Similar →
1968 Sol Madrid Emil Dietrich Average Similar →
1967 The Dirty Dozen Archer Maggott Super Hit Similar →
1965 Battle of the Bulge Sgt. Guffy Hit Similar →
1965 The Slender Thread Dr. Joe Coburn Hit Similar →
1965 Genghis Khan Shan Average Similar →
1965 The Greatest Story Ever Told Pontius Pilate Average Similar →
1964 Fanfare for a Death Scene Ilchidai Khan Average Similar →
1962 Birdman of Alcatraz Feto Gomez Super Hit Similar →
1962 Cape Fear Private Detective Charles Sievers Hit Similar →
1961 The Young Savages Detective Lt. Gunderson Average Similar →

Telly Savalas - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Telly Savalas?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Telly Savalas is "The Equalizer - The Movie: Blood & Wine" with a rating of 8.7/10.

How many movies has Telly Savalas acted in?

Telly Savalas has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Telly Savalas?

Other notable films include "Crooks and Coronets", "The Dirty Dozen", and "Birdman of Alcatraz".