Kojak (1973)
The iconic 1970s crime drama starring Telly Savalas as New York City's most unforgettable detective.
Kojak - Series Information
- Original Title: Kojak
- First Air Year: 1973
- Last Air Year: 1978
- Created by: Abby Mann
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Crime, Action, Adventure, Drama, Mystery
- Content Rating (US): TV-PG
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (60 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 5
- Number of Episodes: 118
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English, Italian
- First Air Date: October 24, 1973 (United States - TV-PG), October 24, 1973 (United Kingdom - PG), October 24, 1973 (Germany - 12), October 24, 1973 (France - 12), October 24, 1973 (Australia - PG)
- Networks: ABC, CBS
- Alternative Titles: Kojak - Einsatz in Manhattan (DE)
Kojak - Plot
A bald, lollipop sucking police detective with a fiery righteous attitude battles crime in New York City.
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Kojak - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Abby Mann
Main Cast
- Telly Savalas
- Dan Frazer
- Kevin Dobson
- George Savalas
- Mark Russell
- Vince Conti
- Roger Robinson
- Borah Silver
- Nick Dennis
- Bruce Kirby
Writers
- Gene R. Kearney
- Jack Laird
- Chester Krumholz
- Burton Armus
- Morton S. Fine
Executive Producers
- Matthew Rapf
- Abby Mann
Kojak - FAQs
Who played Kojak in the original TV series?
Telly Savalas played Lieutenant Theo Kojak in the original series. His shaved head, lollipop habit, and catchphrase "Who loves ya, baby?" made him one of television's most recognizable detectives. Savalas won a Golden Globe and an Emmy Award for the role.
What is Kojak's famous catchphrase?
"Who loves ya, baby?" is Kojak's iconic catchphrase, delivered by Telly Savalas throughout the series. The line became a defining pop-culture moment of 1970s television and remains one of the most quoted phrases in American TV history, closely associated with the character's charismatic swagger.
Where can you stream Kojak online?
Kojak is available to stream on The Roku Channel and Tubi TV with ads, both free platforms. It can also be purchased digitally through Apple TV Store and Google Play Movies. For a full list of current streaming options in your region, check JustWatch.
What is Kojak about?
Kojak follows Lieutenant Theo Kojak, a sharp-witted, bald NYPD detective who polices the gritty streets of New York City with fierce moral conviction. Known for his lollipop habit and no-nonsense attitude, Kojak tackles serious urban crime cases across five seasons from 1973 to 1978.
How many seasons and episodes does Kojak have?
Kojak ran for 5 seasons and 118 episodes from 1973 to 1978. Season 1 had 22 episodes, Season 2 had 25, Season 3 had 24, Season 4 had 25, and Season 5 had 22 episodes. A collection of special episodes is also available.
Did Kojak win any awards?
Yes. Telly Savalas won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 1974 for his portrayal of Kojak, and also received a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a TV Drama Series. The show was widely praised for its gritty realism and strong performances.
When did Kojak first air on television?
Kojak first aired on October 24, 1973, in the United States. The series was rated TV-PG and originally broadcast on CBS. It concluded in 1978 after five successful seasons, later inspiring TV movies and a short-lived 2005 remake also starring a charismatic lead detective.
Who created the Kojak TV series?
Kojak was created by Abby Mann, the Academy Award-winning screenwriter known for Judgment at Nuremberg. Mann developed the series based on his 1973 TV movie The Marcus-Nelson Murders, which introduced the Kojak character and served as the direct pilot for the long-running CBS crime drama.
More About Kojak
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