| Birth name | Georgios Demosthenes Savalas |
|---|---|
| Birth date | December 5, 1924 |
| Birth place | New York City, U.S. |
| Death date | October 2, 1985 (aged 60) |
| Death place | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1962–1985 |
| Spouse | Robin Abber (m. 1968) |
Georgios Demosthenes[1] Savalas (Greek: Γεώργιος Δημοσθένης Σαβάλας; December 5, 1924 – October 2, 1985) was an American film and television actor. He was the younger brother of actor Telly Savalas, with whom he acted in the popular 1970s TV crime series Kojak.[2]
Early life
Born in The Bronx, New York City to immigrants from Greece, he was one of five children: brothers Aristotelis (Telly), Gus, and Ted; and sister Katherine.[3] He attended Holy Cross Institute in Connecticut and Mineola High School (Long Island).[4] He served in the Pacific War as a United States Navy gunner but also acted, produced and directed stage performances on military bases. He studied drama at Columbia University.[4]
Career
Starting out, Savalas worked many jobs, including driving a taxi and waiting tables.[1] Although known primarily as a TV actor, Savalas was originally a stage actor and acting instructor.[2] He taught at the Coliseum Studios for five years.[3][4] He appeared in off-Broadway productions such as Death of a Salesman and Arms and Man while working with his father in two businesses: a hotel and a heating and air-conditioning company.[4]
He is best known for his role as Detective Sergeant Demosthenes Stavros on the TV series Kojak, which starred his brother Telly.[4][5] For the first two seasons, Savalas was credited as "Demosthenes" on screen so as not to create confusion between himself and his brother, although both men were easily distinguishable by sight (George having a full head of hair while Telly shaved his balding head and was noticeably thinner).[3] George Savalas, under his real name, also received a Production Associate credit during the first season and a Production Assistant credit for the second season.
He appeared in several films such as The Slender Thread (1965), Genghis Khan (1965) and Kelly's Heroes (1970),[2][4] — all of which also featured his brother Telly.[6][7] In the mid-1970s, he appeared in adverts in the United Kingdom for the Wimpy Bar chain.[1]
In his later years, George recorded songs in Greek and toured with his band, appearing at such venues as Carnegie Hall.[5] He returned to the stage, appearing in a number of off-Broadway productions before illness forced him to retire.[5]
Personal life
Savalas had six children: sons Nicholas George, Leonidas George, and Constantine George with his first wife; and sons Gregory George and Matthew George, and daughter Militza with his second wife Robin.[8] Later in life, he lived in the Reseda neighborhood of Los Angeles.[4] He died of leukemia, aged 60,[2][5] in Los Angeles.[3][4]
Savalas and his brother Telly were Freemasons.[9]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | Good Neighbor Sam | Truck Driver | Uncredited |
| 1965 | Genghis Khan | Toktoa | |
| 1965 | The Slender Thread | Pool Player | |
| 1968 | Rosemary's Baby | Workman | Uncredited |
| 1969 | A Dream of Kings | Apollo | |
| 1970 | Kelly's Heroes | First Sergeant Mulligan | |
| 1970 | Violent City | Shapiro | Uncredited |
| 1973 | The Outfit | Kenilworth Finance Employee | Uncredited |
| 1976 | Kravges ston anemo | Man in Pool | |
| 1982 | Fake-Out | The Pit Boss |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | The Dick Powell Show | Reveller at party | Episode: "Three Soldiers" |
| 1962 | GE True | Lukas - Grocer | Episode: "V-Victor 5" |
| 1963 | The Dakotas | Pope, Bartender | Episode: "A Nice Girl from Goliath" |
| 1963 | The Virginian | Turnkey | Episode: "Ride a Dark Trail" |
| 1963 | Ripcord | Member of Search Party | Episode: "Run, Joby, Run" |
| 1964 | Combat! | Cooper | Episode: "Counter-Punch" |
| 1964 | The Rogues | Lobo | Episode: "Viva Diaz!" |
| 1965 | Dr. Kildare | Aristos | Episode: "With Hellfire and Thunder" |
| 1966 | The Fugitive | Prisoner | Episode: "Stroke of Genius" |
| 1966 | Daniel Boone | The Warden | Episode: "The Accused" |
| 1967 | The Man from U.N.C.L.E. | Greek Merchant | Episode: "The Test Tube Killer Affair" |
| 1968 | Mannix | Sergeant | Episode: "The End of the Rainbow" |
| 1971 | All in the Family | Joe Frouge | Episode: "Success Story" |
| 1973 | The Marcus-Nelson Murders | Jack Deems | Television film |
| 1973–1978 | Kojak | Det. Stavros / Sgt. Stavros / Det. Stravros | 114 episodes |
| 1975 | Kolchak: The Night Stalker | Kaz | Episode: "The Youth Killer" |
| 1976 | Whodunnit? | Panellist | Episode: "Dead Grass" |
| 1979 | Alice | Himself | Episode: "Has Anyone Here Seen Telly?" |
| 1985 | Kojak: The Belarus File | Stavros | Television film |
| 1985 | Alice in Wonderland | The Courtier | TV mini-series; final on screen appearance |
References
- ^ Kleiner, Dick (May 1, 1976). "The $50,000 hamburger". The Morning Record. Enterprise Features. Retrieved April 30, 2015.
- ^ "Telly Savalas' Brother George Dies of Leukemia At Age 58". Ocala Star-Banner. October 3, 1985. Retrieved April 30, 2015.
- ^ "George Savalas Dead; A Movie and TV Actor". The New York Times. Associated Press. October 4, 1985. Retrieved April 30, 2015.
- ^ Demosthenes Savalas, the brother of Telly, Schenectady Gazette, August 7, 1976; accessed March 6, 2014
- ^ Clothier, Gary (February 4, 2008). "They Really Were Brothers Grimm". Reading Eagle. Newspaper Enterprise Association. Retrieved April 30, 2015.
- ^ "George Savalas, Actor on 'Kojak' TV Series". Orlando Sentinel. October 3, 1985. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
- ^ Richardson, Lisa (January 23, 1994). "From the Archives: 'Kojak' Star Telly Savalas Dies at 70". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
- ^ Arnold, Roxane (October 3, 1985). "George Savalas, Telly's Brother, Dies". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
- ^ "Famous Freemason - Aristotelis Savalas". Fellowship Lodge. May 16, 2022. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
External links
- George Savalas at IMDb