31 years ago on January 22, 1994, actor Aristotelis “Telly” Savalas lost his battle with prostate cancer, just one day after his 72nd birthday. Savalas was a proud Greek actor best known for his role as Lt. Theodore “Theo” Kojak in the 1970s show Kojak, though he also had notable roles in Birdman of Alcatraz, The Dirty Dozen, and Battle of the Bulge.
In honor of the star, learn some interesting facts about his life and career, which spanned over four decades in television and film.