The Bakersfield Californian from Bakersfield, California • Page 13

alff aakrnittrli1 Monday, April 12, Telly Savalas dislikes tv 'security' LOS ANGELES(AP)Telly Savalas, who believes that actors should never become too secure, never intended that "Kojak" would develop into a television series. It was simply to be a one- shot TV movie, "The Marcus-Nelson Murders," then Telly would go back to the film roles that had turned him into one of the screen's most menacing vil- lians. But the movie was a TV hit and CBS wanted the bald-as-a-bullet detective every week. But Savalas had always preferred the freedom and the unpredictability and travel involved with motion pictures. "I don't mind worlt- ing.

I always work 18 to 20 hours a day. TV is interesting enough, but I like to travel around. In past days I'm sure I would have been a razzle-dazzle man with a traveling circus." Telly is something of a razzle-dazzle man anyway: A onetime diplomatic corps employe, former television producer, now actor, singer, nightclub performer and owner of a spectacularly cessful race horse named Telly's Pop. He figures television is a little too secure for his lifestyle, although he's adjusted to it well. "If you take all the insecurities out of life, it becomes less fun," he said, "If you look back, the happiest times were when you didn't know how you were going to pay the milk bill." It is doubtful that Savalas would have allowed the name Kojak to stick if if he had known he would he doing a series.

Outwardly and inwardly Greek-oriented own first name is Aristotle Savalas would have wanted a more flowing Helenic name. He was a latecomer to acting, not taking it up until he was 36. Although there are those who say the 51-year-old Savalas has always been an actor with flamboyant and fun-loving style. In fact, he it's his experiences in life and his observations that prepared him for acting. "There's no question that experience is more important and rewarding to someone who is an actor.

My approach to Kojak is any situation would be my own ap- War-hating song writer kills self NEW YORK (AP) Phil Ochs, composer and folk singer-guitarist whose songs of protest against the Vietnam War lifted him to prominence in the 1960s, has committed suicide, his family reported. Ochs' family told police that he apparently hanged himself Friday at the Queens home of his sister, Sonny Tanzman, with whom he had been living since December. "Phil had been very depressed for a long time," a family friend said. "Mainly, the words weren't coming to him anymore." Ochs' compositions included such songs as "Changes" and "I Declare the War Is Over." His tunes were sung by superstar folk performers Joan Baez and Bob Dylan, among ohers. Ochs, who was 35, preferred to be called a "topical" rather than a folk singer.

By the time he was playing professionally in Greenwich Village cabarets, he had a repertoire of more than 60 songs, all of which touched on some social issue. Born in El Paso, Ochs was the son of a cian who moved his family to upstate New York when the folk singer was a youngster. The family later moved to the Far Rockaway section of Queens. Funeral arrangements were incomplete. 322-74M EDISON aU ml CMNON OROUP INC.

PflESENTATION cotod' 'm, OPEN WEEKDAYS SUN. 12:15 BUTCH THE KID ARE BACK! JustliorthefunofitI ytherehadhom a FIFTH MudwttWK ROBOrrRIDfORD KAIHAMNEIIOfS. BUTCH CASSIDYAND THESUNDANaKID" wotddliawbam AlAUm AMMUTEI '0PINATai4fl' SHOWTIMIS tlNIOH CITIZENS DISCOUNT RAPE CAN TURN A COVER GIRL INTO A KILLER IJpsticii OPEN AT 6 :30 SHOWTIME: 7:00 KIOSSOtTNISPMNMIII TWODMNIYNITtl IM lEMai CmSM MCOViT kiahKariousnm WALT DISNEY PHiiCUL TluNb i )si I CO MC omim 99 "CHARLEY AND THE ANGEL proach. How I would react and respond. That's basically true whether I'm portraying a cop or a candlestick maker." For instance, that loUypop that has almost become a Kojak trademark was Telly's I invention.

With a degree in psychology from Columbia University, he went to work at the State Department and quickly rose to executive director of Information Services. Later, he became an award- winning producer for ABC Television. His acting acreer began when he was unable to help a theatrical agent find an actor who could do a particular European accent. Savalas took the role to help out his friend then opted for a few more. He had only been in three television shows when he was spotted by Burt Lancaster.

Lancaster signed him for the role of Feto Gomez in "Birdman of Aicatraz." which won him a nomination for an Academy Award as best supporting actor in 1962. Savalas said, "I was with the State Department and when I would interview President Truman or Eisenhower or Andrei Gromyko, I was never nervous. I was never nervous with the men who ruled the world. All of a sudden I was in a picture with Burt Lancaster. I was in awe.

It was party of the mystique. I was speechless. I can understand people who come up to me for autographs. I was the same way." Despite his flashy showmanship, Savalas is a shy man. Once he was in a London gambling club when he spotted George C.

Scott. He wanted to tell him how much he admired his acting, but held back. While he was debating with himself, Scott walked over, stuck out a hand and said, "We haven't met. Telly, but I wanted to tell you that you're my favorite actor." Telly, the father of four children, is divorced and occasionally dai'es. Much of his sparetime has been spent following his favorite horse Telly's Pop.

He went into partnership with producer Howard Koch to buy the 2- year-old to help out the trainer. Since then Telly's Pop has won five of nine races, pulled in $350,000 in winnings, became the first 2-year-oW to ever win a "Triple Crown" by taking three races in a row and is a possible entry in the Kentucky Derby. Telly's mother is the American artist Christine Savalas. his brother Constan- tine is with the U.S. Embassy in Greece, his brother Theodore is a teacher at Athens University and brother George born Demosthenes plays Kojak's sidekick Stavros on the show.

Abby Mann wrote the screenplay for "The Marcus- Nelson Murders" and Matthew Rapf was the producer. Rapf said the movie suddenly became a series potential when Telly was cast in the role of the New York City police lieutenant. Theo Kojak. The network had been after Telly for years to do a series ever since he played the role of Bear on "Cimarron Strip." He said, "That's when it became a series when Telly signed the option." BB CHOOSBY! Tnf PamoiM Thin n' Crispy Or TIM Thiok n' Buy Get OneFREE Itail txpmiix'e piiio trtt EAT IN PIZZA ONLY 411 Olhrr Farlor Diicouni Couooni ffonorfd Onf Coupon Per Coupon good thru April 15 2125 BRUNOAGE LANE A Cmlrl 32J.27i1 WIN CASH PLAY HI-LO Dial K-U-Z-Z VALLEY PlAZA 1940 WIBLtRD. BAKERSFIELD This team needs a miracle.

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