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Telly Savalas

Telly Savalas

Actor · Died January 22, 1994, aged 72 · Garden City, Long Island, New York, USA

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).

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
January 21, 1922
Died
January 22, 1994 (aged 72)
From
Garden City, Long Island, New York, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
61 on MovieCove · 127 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 3% in 30 days

What are Telly Savalas' films like?

Across their 44 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Survival.

Genres

Action19 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 34th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Comedy7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 36th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 70th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Adventure3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 64th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Adventure movies
Crime3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 72nd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies
Horror2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 46th percentile
: browse their Horror movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
35%
Survival
17%
Bonds
15%
Self
13%
Power
12%
Society
4%
Ideas
3%
Justice13 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival12 titles, browse their movies with this themeRevenge5 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love4 titles, browse their movies with this themeCorruption4 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship3 titles, browse their movies with this themeViolence6 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 43 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 11 · Serious 14 · Dark 18

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 22 · Stylized 12 · Heightened 9

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 4 · Charged 21 · Intense 18

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 15 · Shifting 24 · Whiplash 4

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 25 · Some laughs 8 · Funny 10

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 7 · Even-paced 32 · Relentless 4

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 16 · Engaged 25 · Full focus 2

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 18 · Affecting 14 · Heavy 11

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 35 · Open-ended 3 · Ambiguous 5

Roles they play

36 analyzed roles

Usually the Shadow: 16 of 36 analyzed roles.

Shadow
16 of 36
Hero
10 of 36
Trickster
3 of 36
Ally
2 of 36
Threshold guardian
2 of 36
Shapeshifter
1 of 36
Mentor
1 of 36
Herald
1 of 36
Show the 36 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
32
Thrilling
16
Absurd
11
Dread
10
Melancholic
12
Other
30

How their films linger

Fun18 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 8 with a twist

  • Happy14
  • Bittersweet20
  • Tragic2
  • Ambiguous8

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Telly Savalas' films?

As of October 24, 2026, 39 of their 61 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (25).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Telly Savalas' titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

127 credits, 61 with a MovieCove page; 26 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Backfire!(1995)

    as Most Evil Man (Not Really)

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Mind Twister (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Richard Howland

  • Halloween Monster Bash (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Captain Kazan (archive footage)

  • Rose Against the Odds (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as George Parnassus

  • The Commish(1991)

    Show 3 episodes · as Tommy Colette

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all shows

  • Ein Schloß am Wörthersee (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Teddy

  • Kojak: None So Blind(1990)

    as Inspector Theo Kojak

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Kojak: It's Always Something (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Inspector Theo Kojak

  • Kojak: Flowers for Matty(1990)

    as Inspector Theo Kojak

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Kojak: Fatal Flaw (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Lieutenant Theo Kojak

  • Kojak: Ariana (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Lieutenant Theo Kojak

  • The Hollywood Detective (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Harry Bell

  • The Dirty Dozen: The Fatal Mission(1988)

    as Maj. Wright

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Faceless(1988)

    as Terry Hallen

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Return to the Titanic... Live! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Host

  • J.J. Starbuck (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 1 episode · as The Greek

  • The Equalizer - The Movie: Blood & Wine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Brother Joseph Heiden

  • The Dirty Dozen: The Deadly Mission(1987)

    as Maj. Wright

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Kojak: The Price of Justice(1987)

    as Inspector Theo Kojak

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • The Flintstones' 25th Anniversary Celebration (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Actor

  • GoBots: Battle of the Rock Lords(1986)

    as Magmar (voice)

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Alice in Wonderland (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Cheshire Cat

  • The Equalizer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 2 episodes · as Brother Joseph Heiden

  • Kojak: The Belarus File(1985)

    as Lieutenant Theo Kojak

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • The Cartier Affair(1984)

    as Phil Drexler

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • Cannonball Run II(1984)

    as Hymie

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Afghanistan For What? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Actor

  • Fake-Out (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Lt. Thurston

  • Silent Rebellion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Pete

  • American Playhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Peter Panakos

  • Beyond Reason (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Director · Writer · as Dr. Nicholas Mati

  • Telly Savalas Looks at Aberdeen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Narrator

  • Telly Savalas Looks at Portsmouth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Narrator

  • Hellinger's Law (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Nick Hellinger

  • Telly Savalas Looks at Birmingham (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Narrator

  • Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story(1980)

    as Cretzer

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Show 2 episodes · as Cretzer

  • The Border (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Frank Cooper

  • The French Atlantic Affair (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 3 episodes · as Fr. Craig Dunleavy

  • The Muppet Movie(1979)

    as El Sleazo Tough

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Escape to Athena(1979)

    as Zeno

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Beyond the Poseidon Adventure(1979)

    as Captain Stefan Svevo

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • Tales of the Unexpected(1979)

    Show 1 episode · as Joe Brisson

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows

  • Capricorn One(1978)

    as Albain

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • The Love Boat(1977)

    Show 2 episodes · as Dr. Fabian Cain

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all shows

  • Black Aphrodite (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as The Boss (as Aristides T. Savallas)

  • Alice(1976)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all shows

  • Killer Force (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Webb

  • Inside Out (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as Harry Morgan

  • The House of Exorcism (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as Leandro (archive footage)

  • Lisa and the Devil(1973)

    as Leandro

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Kojak(1973)

    Show 118 episodes · Director · as Theo Kojak

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all shows

  • She Cried Murder (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    as Inspector Joe Brody

  • The Marcus-Nelson Murders(1973)

    as Lt. Theo Kojak

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Redneck(1973)

    as Memphis

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • A Reason to Live, a Reason to Die(1972)

    as Major Ward

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Pancho Villa(1972)

    Songs · as Pancho Villa

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Visions... (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as Lt. Phil Keegan

  • The Killer Is on the Phone(1972)

    as Ranko Drasovic

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Horror Express(1972)

    as Captain Kazan

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Sonny & Jed(1972)

    as Sheriff Franciscus

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Crime Boss (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as Don Vincenzo

  • Mongo's Back in Town (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    as Lieutenant Pete Tolstad

  • A Town Called Hell(1971)

    as Don Carlos

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Clay Pigeon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    as Redford

  • The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Pretty Maids All in a Row(1971)

    as Captain Sam Surcher

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Violent City(1970)

    as Al Weber

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Kelly's Heroes(1970)

    as Master Sergeant "Big Joe"

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • On Her Majesty's Secret Service(1969)

    as Ernst Stavro Blofeld

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Land Raiders(1969)

    as Vince Carden

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Crooks and Coronets (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    as Herbie Haseler

  • Mackenna's Gold(1969)

    as Sergeant Tibbs

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • The Assassination Bureau(1969)

    as Lord Bostwick

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • ITV Saturday Night Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 1 episode · as Gregor Antonescu

  • Buona Sera, Mrs. Campbell(1968)

    as Walter Braddock

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • The Scalphunters(1968)

    as Jim Howie

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Sol Madrid(1968)

    as Emil Dietrich

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • Cimarron Strip (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Garrison's Gorillas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Dirty Dozen(1967)

    as Archer Maggott

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • The Karate Killers(1967)

    as Count De Fanzini

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Beau Geste (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    as Sgt. Maj. Dagineau

  • Battle of the Bulge(1965)

    as Sgt. Guffy

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • The Slender Thread(1965)

    as Dr. Joe Coburn

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • The F.B.I. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 2 episodes · as Ed Clementi

  • Run for Your Life (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as Istvan Zabor

  • Genghis Khan(1965)

    as Shan

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • The Greatest Story Ever Told(1965)

    as Pontius Pilate

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • John Goldfarb, Please Come Home!(1965)

    as Macmuid (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • The Man from U.N.C.L.E.(1964)

    Show 2 episodes · as Count Valeriano De Fanzini

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • The Rogues (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Fanfare for a Death Scene(1964)

    as Ilchidai Khan

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • The New Interns (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    as Dr. Dominic Riccio

  • Kraft Suspense Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as Beret · as Ramon Castillo / Raymond Castle

  • Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as Mueller

  • Johnny Cool(1963)

    as Vincenzo 'Vince' Santangelo

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Burke's Law (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as Balakirov aka Richard Goldtooth · as Charlie Prince · as Fakir George O'Shea

  • The Fugitive (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as Dan Polichek · as Steve Keller · as Victor Leonetti

  • Arrest and Trial (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as Frank Santo

  • Grindl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Love Is a Ball(1963)

    as Dr. Christian Gump

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • The Man from the Diners' Club(1963)

    as Foots Pulardos

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • The Dakotas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as Jake Volet

  • Combat!(1962)

    Show 1 episode · as Colonel Kapsalis · as Jon

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • The Alfred Hitchcock Hour(1962)

    Show 1 episode · as Philadelphia Harry

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • The Virginian (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Show 1 episode · as 'Colonel' Bliss

  • The Interns (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    as Dr. Dominic Riccio

  • Birdman of Alcatraz(1962)

    as Feto Gomez

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Cape Fear(1962)

    as Private Detective Charles Sievers

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • The Sin of Jesus (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    as Felix

  • The New Breed (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Buel Reed

  • Ben Casey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Cain's Hundred (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · as Frank Meehan · as Harry Remick

  • The Young Savages(1961)

    as Detective Lt. Gunderson

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Mad Dog Coll (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    as Lt. Dawson

  • Acapulco (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 8 episodes · as Mr. Carver

  • The Aquanauts (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 1 episode · as Paul Price

  • The Dow Hour of Great Mysteries (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Patterson

  • The Detectives (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Ben

  • The Untouchables (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Leo Stazak · as Wally Baltzer

  • The Twilight Zone(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Erich Streator

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Bonanza(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Charles Augustus Hackett

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • 77 Sunset Strip (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Show 1 episode · as Brother Hendricksen

  • Naked City(1958)

    Show 1 episode · as Gabriel Hody

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • The Red Skelton Hour(1951)

    Show 1 episode · as Tex

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Armstrong Circle Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 127 titles from 1950 to 1995; peak year 1969.

Biggest box office

Cannonball Run II (1984)

$28M worldwide

Highest rated

Cape Fear (1962)

Midcredits 97th

Most popular right now

Kojak (1973)

Film career

19501995

Peak 1969 · back in prominent film roles after a quiet stretch. Top draw in 13 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting127 of 127: 124 only acting, 3 with another role · typical Midcredits score58thDirecting2 of 127: 0 only directing, 2 with another roleWriting1 of 127: 0 only writing, 1 with another roleOther crew1 of 127: 0 only other crew, 1 with another role

127 titles, 3 with more than one role — acting and directing overlap on 2 of them.

By decade

1950s8 · acting1960s50 · acting1970s31 · 31 acting · 2 crew1980s29 · 29 acting · 1 crew1990s9 · acting

Billing

usually 3rd · top billed in 17% of 29 roles
61667176

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Telly Savalas' films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 50th percentile, the median of all 49; across their 43 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 51st percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

51stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 43

Approval · how many liked their films

46thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 43

Reach · how many have seen their films

61stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 43

Midcredits score across 61 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up15
  • 50th to 74th20
  • 25th to 49th11
  • Below 25th15

Shape of the crowd

24 of their 61 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved9
  • Cult Classic2
  • Crowd Pleaser24
  • Broadly Agreed6
  • Mixed20

Most divisive · actor

GoBots: Battle of the Rock Lords (1986)

78th percentile spread · 28% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Cape Fear (1962)

Midcredits 97th · 88% liked

Reviewers score the acting 65/100 in their films, across 40 reviewed titles; fans 75, detractors 43. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Telly Savalas' work okay for kids?

Across up to 15 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore runs heavier than most films and profanity lighter.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore7 titles40–59 · median 57 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity15 titles8–54 · median 36 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity8 titles10–45 · median 25 · mildlighter than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs8 titles27–38 · median 32 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense7 titles39–58 · median 43 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Telly Savalas work with?

People who share at least 2 of Telly Savalas' MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Abby Mann shares the most, 5.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and cinematographers

Producers