Telly Savalas portrayed New York City (Manhattan) detective Theo Kojak in this highly rated and revered television series that aired Sunday nights on the CBS network.
Savalas was all in as a world weary, passionate detective Kojak. Kojak was gruff and sardonic but competent and dedicated to solving the case and advocating for victims.
Kojak's supporting cast included his captain as well as junior detectives.
Of particular note is Savalas' real life brother who plays portly detective Stavros.
The cases that Kojak got involved in ran the gamut from murder to theft to blackmail, narcotics and more. Kojak was a police officer but often had the approach of a gumshoe from the film nor 1940s or 50s.
Savalas wielded influence to subtly incorporate elements of Greek-American culture into the show, showing an American ethnic cohort that scarcely ever had seen showcase beyond the comedic or satiric.
The show ended its run in 1978 and has been seen in syndication ever since.
Savalas was all in as a world weary, passionate detective Kojak. Kojak was gruff and sardonic but competent and dedicated to solving the case and advocating for victims.
Kojak's supporting cast included his captain as well as junior detectives.
Of particular note is Savalas' real life brother who plays portly detective Stavros.
The cases that Kojak got involved in ran the gamut from murder to theft to blackmail, narcotics and more. Kojak was a police officer but often had the approach of a gumshoe from the film nor 1940s or 50s.
Savalas wielded influence to subtly incorporate elements of Greek-American culture into the show, showing an American ethnic cohort that scarcely ever had seen showcase beyond the comedic or satiric.
The show ended its run in 1978 and has been seen in syndication ever since.