He was also a strong contributor to his Greek Orthodox roots through the Saint Sophia and Saint Nicholas cathedrals in Los Angeles, and was the sponsor of bringing electricity in the '70s to his ancestral home, Yeraka, Greece.
He was an accomplished poker player.
He was an active liberal Democrat.
He wasn't the first choice to audition for "Kojak" (1973), when Marlon Brando had been offered the role.
His eldest daughter, Christina, was named after his mother.
His mother, Christina, died in 1989.
His mother, Christina, was a world recognized contemporary of Pablo Picasso, and Savalas himself released several records, the most remembered being his version of "If", that was #1 in Europe for 10 weeks in 1975.
His son Nick Savalas's half-sister, Nicollette Sheridan, and his former "Kojak" (1973) co-star, Kevin Dobson, both starred in the popular 1980s soap opera, "Knots Landing" (1979).
His younger brother, George Savalas, starred in "Kojak" (1973) with him.
Hosted a popular radio program, "Telly's Coffeehouse," in the early 1950s.
In 1990 the city of New York declared "Kojak: The Marcus-Nelson Murders (#1.0)" (1973) as the official movie of New York City, and awarded Telly with the Key to the City. The film was the one that introduced Savalas' most famous character, Lt. Theo Kojak, later made famous on its spin-off series "Kojak" (1973).
Interred at the George Washington Section of Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles, California, USA.
Left index finger was deformed.
Loved gambling and was a very successful gambler, winning many Vegas poker tournaments and losing few.
Loved to read historical biographies and, somewhat surprisingly, romance novels.
Met his first wife (Katherine) at a Greek dance while attending Columbia University.
Met his last wife, Julie Hovland, on the set of "Kojak" (1973) while he was traveling with her to Minnesota in 1977.
Of Greek descent.
On January 21, 1994, he celebrated his 72nd and last birthday with his family, friends and colleagues at the Universal Sheraton Inn in Universal City, California, 1 day before his death.
Owned a wide variety of luxury vehicles, including Cadillacs, Lincolns, Fords, Pontiacs, Mercedes and DeLoreans.