Ving Rhames
to play Kojak on TV

updated 3:28 p.m. ET Oct. 27, 2004

NEW YORK - “Who loves ya, baby?” Ving Rhames does.

Rhames has signed with USA Network to a weekly series of “Kojak,” debuting in March, Bonnie Hammer, president of USA Network and the Sci Fi Channel, said Tuesday. Filming begins in Toronto in January.

Production wrapped in August on a two-hour original movie, which will now serve as the premiere episode for the nine-week original series, the network said.

Telly Savalas starred as the stylish, crome-dome Lt. Theo Kojak in the police drama, which aired from 1973-78.

“‘Kojak’ is a perfect USA series,” Hammer said in a statement. “The main character is a true American original, a crime-solver with an incredible mix of charm, street smarts and uncanny intuition. And in the hands of the great Ving Rhames, this is definitely not your father’s ‘Kojak.”’

Rhames, 43, is best known for his role as Marsellus Wallace in the 1994 film “Pulp Fiction.” He also is to appear in “Mission: Impossible III” and as Sonny Liston in “Night Train,” both slated for release next year.

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