Dozens of fans know Telly Savalas as Lt. Theo Kojak in Kojak, and also for playing James Bond’s arch-enemy, Ernest Stavro Blofeld, in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.
However, away from the blockbusters, the Greek-born actor was a proud father to six children, shared with four mothers. The star first became a father in 1950 when he welcomed his daughter, Christina, with Katherine Nicolaides.
With his second wife, Marilyn Gardner, the actor welcomed two more daughters, Penelope in 1961 and Candace in 1963. In 1973, Telly and his partner, Sally, welcomed the actor’s first son, Nicholas.
After settling down with his third wife, Julie Hovland, Telly became a father for the fifth and sixth time, welcoming son Christian and daughter Ariana, who has since become a famous singer.
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Here’s all you need to know about Telly’s sizeable brood…
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Christina was briefly an actress
Christina Savalas
Telly’s eldest daughter, Christina, was born in 1950 and named after the actor’s own mother. Christina had a brief career in the entertainment industry, working as a crewmember on Beyond Reason, a 1977 film independently produced by her father.
Ten years after the actor died in 1994, Christina and her husband, John Peter Koussakis, were awarded Greek citizenship in honour of her late father.
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Penelope lives a private life
Penelope Savalas
Telly’s second child, Penelope, was born in 1961, and she was shared with the actor’s second wife, teacher Marilyn Gardner. However, Penelope has remained out of the public spotlight during her life.
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Candace starred alongside her father on several occasions
Candace Savalas
Telly’s third daughter, Candace, was born in 1963, and he also shared her with Marilyn. Candace also enjoyed a brief acting career, being active between 1985 and 1993. Like Christina, Candace worked with her father, appearing in some of Kojak’s television movies, while she also picked up credits in You Again?, J. J. Starbuck and The Hollywood Detective.
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Nicholas has a star-studded family
Nicholas Savalas
Telly became a father for the fourth time in 1973 when he welcomed son Nicholas with actress Sally Adams, who the star met on the set of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. Nicholas has a famous half-sister, the actress Nicollette Sheridan, who has starred in several American soap operas alongside Desperate Housewives and Dynasty.
Nicholas has also had a small acting career, appearing alongside his father in Beyond All Reason and a Kojak television movie. He also lent his voice to Superman: The Animated Series.
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Christian has designed several popular apps
Christian Savalas
Telly’s fifth child, Christian, was born in 1973 and his mother is travel agent Julie Hovland. Christian is a musician and tech designer, designing apps for pet owners like SwiftScales Vocal Trainer and Perfect Pitch Pipe.
Back in 2022, Christian shared a stunning tribute for his late father, writing: “He would’ve been 100 years old today. Happy birthday.”
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Ariana has become a very famous singer
Ariana Savalas
Telly’s youngest child, Ariana, was born in 1987. The star has become a very famous singer, being one of the original members of Postmodern Jukebox, which is known for transforming modern songs into different vintage genres, including jazz. The star has also worked as an emcee and singer for Dita Von Teese and at the Crazy Horse cabaret in Paris.
Telly died when Ariana was just seven, and speaking to Neo in 2010 about her late father, the singer reflected: “I had seven years to remember what an amazing guy he was and why everybody loved him so much. And my father was constantly busy, but we were always with him.
“Places where kids were never allowed, restaurants where kids were never allowed, clubs and casinos, my dad did not care at all. He brought us everywhere. He always wanted us with him. He was the kind of guy that would never say no and always had a smile on his face.”