Simplify the following text for a Grade 8 native English-speaking person.
Original: Aristotelis `` Telly '' Savalas ( ; January 21 , 1922 - January 22 , 1994 ) was an American film and television actor and singer , whose career spanned four decades .
Simplified: Telly Savalas ( January 21 , 1922 â `` January 22 , 1994 ) was a American actor .