5 Rare Roles: Seeing Telly Savalas With Hair In His Early Career Will Shock You

For a generation of television viewers, the image of Telly Savalas is inseparable from his iconic, chrome-domed look: the lollipop-sucking, sharp-witted Lieutenant Theo Kojak. This singular, powerful visual defined his career from the mid-1960s onward, making the phrase "Telly Savalas with hair" sound like a historical anomaly. However, the legendary actor spent the entire first chapter of his career—including his most critically acclaimed performance—with a full, albeit receding, head of hair. This article, updated in December 2025, dives deep into the fascinating transition and highlights the key roles where you can witness the pre-Kojak Savalas.

The transition from a full-headed character actor to the bald superstar was a deliberate, career-defining choice made for a single film role. It’s a moment in cinematic history that forever changed the trajectory of Aristotelis "Telly" Savalas, transforming him from a versatile supporting player into one of the most recognizable faces (and heads) on the planet. The curiosity surrounding his early look is a testament to the enduring power of his later, signature style.

Telly Savalas: A Detailed Biography and Profile

Aristotelis "Telly" Savalas was a Greek-American actor, singer, and director whose career spanned four decades, cementing his legacy as a Hollywood icon. His distinctive voice and commanding screen presence made him a force in both film and television. Below is a detailed look at his life.

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• Full Name: Aristotelis Savalas
• Born: January 21, 1922, in Garden City, New York, U.S.
• Died: January 22, 1994 (aged 72), in Universal City, California, U.S. (one day after his 72nd birthday)
• Cause of Death: Prostate cancer
• Siblings: George Savalas (also an actor, who played Stavros on Kojak)
• Education: Graduated from Columbia University
• Military Service: Served in the United States Army during World War II
• Marriages:
  • Katherine Nicolaides (m. 1948; div. 1957)
  • Marilyn Gardner (m. 1960; div. 1974)
  • Julie Hovland (m. 1984; div. 1994)
• Children: Six children, including Christian Savalas, Candace Savalas, and Penelope Savalas.
• Godparent Role: He was the godfather to actress Jennifer Aniston, the daughter of his close friend, actor John Aniston.
• Notable Awards: Primetime Emmy Award (1974) and two Golden Globe Awards (1975, 1976) for Kojak.

The Shocking Reason Telly Savalas Became Bald for Life

The prevailing image of Telly Savalas—bald, brooding, and brilliant—was not his natural state, nor was it a result of natural, complete hair loss. The iconic bald head was a choice made for a single role that became a permanent fixture. While Savalas was already experiencing male pattern baldness, it was director George Stevens who mandated the full shave.

In 1965, Savalas was cast as the Roman governor Pontius Pilate in the epic religious film, The Greatest Story Ever Told. To achieve an authentic Roman statesman look, Stevens insisted that Savalas completely shave his head. This was the pivotal moment.

Following the filming, Savalas found he preferred the look. He recognized the visual power and distinctiveness of the completely shaved head, deciding to keep it for the rest of his career. This bold move immediately differentiated him in a crowded Hollywood landscape, leading directly to his most famous roles, including the James Bond villain Ernst Stavro Blofeld in On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969) and, most significantly, Lieutenant Theo Kojak (1973-1978).

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The decision was a masterstroke of personal branding. The bald head became synonymous with his tough, charismatic persona, turning a simple character choice into a defining characteristic that secured his place in pop culture history. It is the reason why searching for "Telly Savalas with hair" remains such a popular query today.

5 Essential Roles Where Telly Savalas Still Had Hair

Before the 1965 transformation, Telly Savalas was a highly sought-after character actor, often playing intense heavies, cops, and military figures. These early performances showcase a completely different visual profile, giving fans a glimpse of the man before the Kojak era. Here are five essential roles where you can see Telly Savalas with his natural, albeit thinning, hair.

1. Birdman of Alcatraz (1962)

This is arguably the most important "with hair" role of his career. Savalas played the role of Feto Gomez, a fellow inmate and friend of Robert Stroud (Burt Lancaster). His performance was so compelling that it earned him an Academy Award nomination and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor. In this dramatic role, Savalas sports a dark, receding hairline, a far cry from the slick Kojak look.

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2. The Young Savages (1961)

One of his earliest major film appearances, Savalas played Detective Lieutenant Gunderson in this crime drama alongside Burt Lancaster. This role established his early typecasting as a police officer—a precursor to Kojak—but here he is seen with a traditional, short-cropped hairstyle, typical of the early 1960s.

3. The Twilight Zone: "Talking Doll" (1963)

For fans of classic television, this is a must-see. Savalas starred in the chilling episode "Talking Doll" as Charles Foster, a man driven to madness by a ventriloquist's dummy. In this iconic TV appearance, Savalas is clearly seen with his hair, showcasing his dramatic range in a science-fiction/horror setting before his baldness became his trademark.

4. The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (1964)

Before he was a Bond villain, Savalas appeared in the pilot episode of the spy series The Man from U.N.C.L.E.. He played a villainous character, and while the role was brief, it is another example of his pre-1965 look. These early spy and crime roles solidified his reputation as a versatile actor who could bring gravitas and menace to any scene, regardless of his hairline.

5. 77 Sunset Strip (Early 1960s)

In his television career, Savalas had a recurring role as Brother Hendricksen on the popular crime drama series 77 Sunset Strip. This role provided regular exposure for Savalas in the early 1960s and is a key part of his filmography where he appeared with hair. It demonstrates his early work in the medium that would eventually make him a household name.

The Legacy of the Transformation: From Hair to Hollywood Icon

The story of Telly Savalas's hair is more than just a footnote in his biography; it's a perfect example of how an actor can redefine their image and, in doing so, redefine their career. The decision to remain bald after The Greatest Story Ever Told was a gamble that paid off spectacularly, creating the instantly recognizable star known as "Kojak."

His baldness became a symbol of his no-nonsense character and Greek heritage. It allowed him to project a unique brand of masculinity and authority that resonated with millions of viewers worldwide. The look wasn't just a gimmick; it enhanced his performance, making Lieutenant Theo Kojak one of the most beloved and enduring characters in television history. His brother, George Savalas, also appeared on Kojak, further cementing the family's place in the series' legacy.

While the search for "Telly Savalas with hair" provides a fascinating look back at his formative years, it only serves to highlight the brilliance of his later choices. His early roles prove his talent was never dependent on his appearance, but his final, iconic look allowed that talent to shine brighter than ever. He took a receding hairline and turned it into the most famous bald head in Hollywood, leaving behind a legacy of unforgettable performances, whether he was sporting a full head of hair or offering a signature "Who loves ya, baby?"