Julie Hovland is best known to many people because of her marriage to Telly Savalas, the star of the TV show Kojak. But she is more than a famous man’s partner. Julie was a working travel agent from Minnesota. She met Telly during his hit show’s final season. They married in 1984 and raised two children together. She chose a quiet life away from constant media, focusing on family and on keeping normal routines for the kids.
Personal Information
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Julie Ann Hovland |
| Known for | Wife of actor and singer Telly Savalas; mother of Christian and Ariana Savalas |
| Profession | Travel agent (before and during early years with Savalas) |
| From | Minnesota, United States |
| Met Telly Savalas | 1977, during the last season of Kojak |
| Married | 1984, remained married until his death in 1994 |
| Children | Christian Savalas and Ariana Savalas |
| Notable trait | Lived a private life, supported her husband’s career and family life |
Early life and work
Julie came from Minnesota and worked as a travel agent. At the time she met Telly Savalas, he was already an international star. Their meeting happened in 1977, when he was wrapping up Kojak. She was described as a travel agent from Minnesota, which helps explain her comfort with organizing trips, schedules, and the many practical needs that come with a busy entertainer’s life.
Meeting Telly Savalas
The couple’s story began in 1977. This was during the last season of Kojak. Telly had gone through many changes in his personal life before then, but with Julie he started a calm and stable chapter. They took time before marrying, which they did in 1984. Their relationship lasted until Telly’s death in 1994.
Marriage and family life
After they married in 1984, Julie and Telly had two children: Christian and Ariana. Both names appear in several records. The Los Angeles funeral home obituary of Julie’s mother also lists Julie as a surviving daughter and names grandchildren Christian and Ariana Savalas, which supports the family connection.
Telly’s main biography also names Julie as his wife, notes the 1977 meeting, the 1984 marriage, and their two children. It further mentions that Ariana became a performer and that Christian has worked in music and other creative roles.
Home and daily life
Interviews with their daughter, Ariana, paint a simple picture of family life. She has said she and her brother grew up for several years in the Sheraton Universal Hotel, where their father lived. This detail shows the unique lifestyle of a show-business family, and also how Julie kept routines for the children even in a special setting.
Julie’s role during Telly’s later years
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Telly faced serious health problems, including cancer. Reports of his final years note he stayed at the Sheraton-Universal Hotel and passed away in 1994 at age 72. Julie was by his side during this period. She attended the funeral and stayed close to family afterward. These details place Julie at the center of the family’s support system during a very difficult time.
Life after Telly Savalas’s death
After 1994, Julie chose a private path. She did not become a media figure. From time to time, public records surface that connect her to family events or to her children’s growing careers. For example, the obituary of her mother confirms Julie’s name as Julie Savalas and mentions her two children with Telly. This shows she kept a family-first life, outside the spotlight.
Links to the wider Savalas story
To understand Julie’s place in popular culture, it helps to remember Telly Savalas’s long career. He was a major TV and film actor, best known for Kojak and for playing the Bond villain Blofeld. While these facts are about Telly, they explain why the public wanted to know more about his wife. Julie supported a man who was famous for decades, and she did so while protecting the privacy of their children.
Public photos and appearances
There are editorial photos that show Julie with Telly and their children at public events, such as charity shows and ceremonies in the 1980s. These are helpful as historical records. They confirm the family unit in public galleries. Still, the photos also show that most of the time Julie avoided the spotlight and left media duties to Telly.
Legacy and why her story matters
Julie Hovland’s story is about steady love and quiet strength. She was not the star on the set or the singer on the stage. She kept travel plans, moved between cities, balanced hotel life with school and family, and helped her husband keep going during busy and, later, hard times. Many readers can relate to this role even if they are far from Hollywood.
Her legacy continues in her children. Ariana Savalas built a performance career of her own. Christian has worked in music and other creative fields. These paths show that the family love and artistic spirit stayed strong.
Conclusion
Julie Hovland’s life story shows how love and loyalty can shape a family even in the middle of fame. She was not a Hollywood star, but she played one of the most important roles in Telly Savalas’s life. From her early work as a travel agent to her years as a wife and mother, she chose a path of care, stability, and quiet strength. Julie helped raise two children who carried on the family’s artistic spirit, while she herself stayed away from the spotlight. Her story is not only about being the wife of a famous actor but also about building a steady home, supporting her husband through good times and hard times, and keeping her family close. This makes her life both inspiring and relatable for many people.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Julie Hovland
Julie Hovland is the third wife of actor and singer Telly Savalas. She worked as a travel agent and comes from Minnesota.
When did Julie Hovland meet Telly Savalas
She met him in 1977 during the last season of the TV series Kojak.
When did they get married
They married in 1984 and stayed together until Telly’s death in 1994.
Did they have children
Yes. They had two children, Christian and Ariana Savalas.
What work did Julie do
Before and during her early years with Telly, Julie worked as a travel agent.
Is Julie Hovland in the entertainment industry
She has kept a private life and is not known as a performer. Her daughter Ariana is a performer, and her son Christian has worked in creative fields.
Are there photos of Julie with the family
Yes. Editorial photo archives show Julie with Telly and their children at public events in the 1980s.
Where did the family live during Telly’s late career
For several years, the family lived at the Sheraton-Universal Hotel in Universal City, as their daughter Ariana has shared.
What happened to Telly Savalas
He died in 1994 from cancer complications. Reports note he passed away in Universal City at age 72.
What confirms Julie’s family links after Telly’s passing
An obituary for Julie’s mother lists Julie Savalas and names grandchildren Christian and Ariana Savalas, which supports the family details from an independent record.
Relatable Topics
Who Is Jamie Hartwright, Judge Judy’s Private Daughter
Who Is Maya Holcomb? The Quiet Strength Behind Corey Holcomb
