Telly Savalas

* Actor Telly Savalas is still alive on a 747 en route to New York from LAX, in my mind (“ ‘Kojak’ Star Telly Savalas Dies at 70,” Jan. 23). A few years ago, while traveling first class with his wife and new baby, Savalas’ credit card stubbornly refused to trigger a call from the in-flight phone behind the cockpit. Noting his quiet frustration, I tried my credit card. It did work. So I turned the phone over him.

“Hello, Mama! It’s Telly!” he gushed. I walked away. Later, when I returned to make a call myself, Savalas quietly extended a clenched fist. It was stuffed with bills. I told him I couldn’t accept the cash and not to worry.

Kojack’s final words still ring in my ears.

“I owe you,” he said, as we parted.

ROB MACK

Rancho Palos Verdes