Telly Savalas
ActingAbout 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).
Telly Savalas Movies & Career Overview
The filmography of Telly Savalas reflects exceptional commercial consistency. Across 50 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.
Dominant Genre
A large portion of Telly Savalas's work falls within the Drama genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.
Success Ratio
Approximately 72% of Telly Savalas's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.
One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains Visions..., which stands out as a key performance.
Best Telly Savalas Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Telly Savalas's career based on audience ratings.
Full Filmography
Every movie Telly Savalas has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Hit | Similar → |
| 1991 | Perfect Crimes | Self - Narrator | Average | Similar → |
| 1991 | Rose Against the Odds | George Parnassus | Hit | Similar → |
| 1990 | Kojak: None So Blind | Inspector Theo Kojak | Average | Similar → |
| 1990 | Kojak: It's Always Something | Inspector Theo Kojak | Hit | Similar → |
| 1989 | Kojak : Error Fatal | Lieutenant Theo Kojak | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1989 | Kojak: Ariana | Lieutenant Theo Kojak | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1989 | The Hollywood Detective | Harry Bell | Hit | 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) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1985 | Kojak The Belarus File | Lieutenant Theo Kojak | Hit | Similar → |
| 1982 | Silent Rebellion | Pete | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1982 | Beyond Reason | Dr. Nicholas Mati | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1981 | Telly Savalas Looks at Aberdeen | Narrator | Average | Similar → |
| 1981 | Hellinger's Law | Nick Hellinger | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1979 | The Muppet Movie | El Sleazo Tough | Hit | Similar → |
| 1977 | Capricorn One | Albain | Hit | Similar → |
| 1976 | Joys | Self | Average | Similar → |
| 1976 | Telly... Who Loves Ya, Baby? | Self | Super 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 | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1972 | A Reason to Live, a Reason to Die | Major Ward | Average | Similar → |
| 1972 | Visions... | Lt. Phil Keegan | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1972 | Horror Express | Captain Kazan | Average | Similar → |
| 1972 | Crime Boss | Don Vincenzo | Hit | 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 | 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 | Hit | 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 | Hit | Similar → |
| 1962 | The Interns | Dr. Dominic Riccio | Average | Similar → |
| 1962 | Birdman of Alcatraz | Feto Gomez | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1962 | Cape Fear | Private Detective Charles Sievers | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1961 | The Young Savages | Detective Lt. Gunderson | Hit | 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 "Visions..." with a rating of 10.0/10.
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 "Beyond Reason", "Hellinger's Law", and "The Equalizer - The Movie: Blood & Wine".