Profile Text
Birth Name: Aristotelis Savalas
Date of Birth: January 21, 1922
Place of Birth: Garden City, New York, U.S.
Date of Death: January 22, 1994
Place of Death: Universal City, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Ethnicity: Greek
Telly Savalas was an American actor and singer.
He was the son of Greek parents, Christina Sarantakos (Kapsalis) and Nicholas “Nick” Savalas, a salesman. His parents were from Spárta, Attica. Telly spoke Greek fluently.
He was married to travel agent Julie Hovland, until his death. He had a daughter with his former wife Katherine Nicolaides; two children with his former wife, theatre teacher Marilyn Gardner; a son with his former partner, actress Sally Adams; and two children, entrepreneur, singer, and songwriter Christian Savalas, and singer, songwriter, actress, and burlesque performer Ariana Savalas , with Julie.
He was the godfather of actress Jennifer Aniston, whose father is Greek-born actor John Aniston. Telly and John were friends.
Telly’s paternal grandfather was named Constantine/Costantine/Constantinos Tsavalas/Tequalas. Constantine was born in Lerakas.
Telly’s paternal grandmother was named Katerina/Catherine Papageorgiou/Popugruge. Katerina was born in Lerakas.
Telly’s maternal grandfather was named Kestar Kapsalis.
Telly’s maternal grandmother was named Gioncule Koivelier.
Sources: Genealogy of Telly Savalas – https://www.findagrave.com
Genealogy of Telly Savalas (focusing on his father’s side) – https://www.geni.com