Telly Savalas He attribute his success to "his complete ability to be himself." Savalas had his first lead role in a film in "Crooks and Coronets" (1969), a British crime comedy. More widely seen was the James Bond movie "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" (1969), where Savalas played Ernst Stavro Blofeld. Savalas had the lead in a Western shot in Spain, "Land Raiders" (1970), then was second-billed to Clint Eastwood in the war-heist film "Kelly's Heroes" (1970), shot in Yugoslavia, directed by Hutton. He was second-billed to Charles Bronson in an Italian–French crime film, "Violent City" (1970), then went to Hollywood to
Telly Savalas Powell Theatre," "The Detectives," "Ben Casey," "The Untouchables," and "Cain's Hundred." He appeared in a short film, "The Sin of Jesus" (1961). Savalas was a private detective in "Cape Fear" (1962), directed by J. Lee Thompson. He was reunited with Frankenheimer and Lancaster for "Birdman of Alcatraz" (1962), one of his most acclaimed performances. He followed it playing a doctor in "The Interns" (1962). Savalas guest starred on "Alcoa Premiere," "The Untouchables" again, "The Eleventh Hour," "The Dakotas," "Grindl" (the pilot), and "Empire." He played support roles in some comedies, "The Man from the Diners' Club" (1962) with Danny Kaye