When you think of 1970s television, the image of a bald, lollipop-sucking detective is usually the first thing that pops into your head. Telly Savalas was the face of Kojak, but right there in the shadows—often credited only as "Demosthenes"—was his brother, George Savalas.
He was the curly-haired, somewhat rumpled Sergeant Stavros. He provided the perfect comedic foil to Telly’s sharp-edged intensity. But while the show was a grit-and-glory police procedural, George’s real-life exit was far more quiet and, frankly, tragic. He was only 60.
People still ask about the George Savalas cause of death because it felt so abrupt. One minute he was a staple of the screen, and the next, he was gone, just as the 80s were hitting their stride.
The Reality of the George Savalas Cause of Death
George Savalas died on October 2, 1985. He didn't go out in a blaze of glory or some Hollywood scandal. He died from leukemia.
Honestly, it’s one of those things that hits harder when you realize how much he still had going on. He was at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles when he passed. He’d been battling the disease for a while, though he wasn’t the type to splash his personal struggles across the tabloids. He kept things private. Very old-school.
Leukemia is a cancer of the blood-forming tissues, and back in the mid-80s, the treatment options weren't nearly as advanced as what we see today. It basically robs the body of its ability to fight off infection and manage its own blood supply.
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It's a brutal way to go.
Why the "Demosthenes" Mystery Mattered
For years, fans didn't even know Stavros was played by Telly's brother. He used his middle name, Demosthenes, in the credits. Why? Because Telly didn't want the "nepotism" tag to hurt George’s credibility. He wanted George to stand on his own feet.
It worked.
People loved Stavros before they realized he was a Savalas. When the news of the George Savalas cause of death broke, it wasn't just a loss for the family; it was a loss for a TV audience that had grown to see him as the relatable, "everyman" cop. He was the one who looked like he actually worked for a living, unlike some of the more polished TV detectives of the era.
A Career Cut Short by Illness
George wasn't just "Telly's brother." He was a veteran. He served in the Pacific during World War II as a Navy gunner. You don't get much tougher than that. After the war, he hit the books at Columbia University to study drama.
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He was a real actor's actor.
- He was in Kelly’s Heroes (1970).
- He appeared in Rosemary’s Baby.
- He even did a stint in The Virginian.
Before the leukemia took hold, George was exploring his roots. He recorded a Greek language record that actually hit the Top 10 in some markets. He was touring. He was performing at Carnegie Hall. He was a man of many layers—a musician, a chef (he was known for his "Savalas Burger"), and a dedicated father of six.
The Timing of His Passing
There’s a weird bit of Hollywood trivia that often gets mentioned alongside George’s death. He died on the exact same day as Rock Hudson.
Because Hudson’s death was such a massive cultural moment—marking a turning point in how the world viewed the AIDS epidemic—George’s passing was somewhat overshadowed in the national headlines. One was a global superstar whose death changed medical history; the other was a beloved character actor who died of a "traditional" cancer.
But for those who watched Kojak every week, the George Savalas cause of death was the headline that mattered.
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Life After Kojak
After the show ended in 1978, George didn't just fade away. He went back to the stage, which he always called his first love. He did off-Broadway plays and stayed active in the New York and LA acting scenes until the illness simply made it impossible to work.
He lived in the Reseda neighborhood of LA toward the end. He was a Freemason, a family man, and by all accounts, one of the nicest guys in the business.
Moving Forward: Lessons from a Legend
If you're looking to honor the memory of George Savalas, the best way isn't just reading about how he died. It's about how he lived. He was a guy who didn't let his brother's massive shadow stop him from carving out his own niche.
What you can do next:
- Watch the early seasons of Kojak: Look for the "Demosthenes" credit and watch his timing. He was a master of the understated reaction.
- Support Leukemia Research: If the George Savalas cause of death moves you, consider donating to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. They are doing the work that didn't exist when George was fighting for his life.
- Check out his filmography: Don't just stick to TV. Find a copy of Kelly's Heroes. It’s a classic for a reason, and George holds his own against giants like Clint Eastwood and Don Rickles.
He was a solid actor who gave us one of the most memorable "sidekick" characters in television history. He deserved more than sixty years, but he certainly made the most of the ones he had.