Telly Savalas

Telly had 9 hobbies: golfing, swimming, collecting luxury cars, spending time with his family, reading romantic books, watching football, traveling, horse racing and gambling.

His son, Nick Savalas's half-sister, Nicolette Sheridan and former Kojak co-star, Kevin Dobson, both starred in the popular 1980s soap opera, Knots Landing.

Telly was quitting smoking at the time of Kojak and decided to substitute cigarettes with lollipops, which became the trademark of the character. He also did this to draw attention away from his missing finger, lost in combat during World War II.

Telly was the original "Blofeld" in the 1969 James Bond movie: "On Her Majesties' Secret Service." He always wanted to play comedy, not villians. He was also the only audience member to be introduced by Elvis Presley on record, in 1974. on the album "Having Fun Onstage with Elvis!"