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The life of a teacher is one of hard work, low pay and little respect — a syllabus with all the elements of sitcom success. The current favorite school-set comedy, Abbott Elementary, was awarded three Emmys in 2022 for its first season (including in the writing category for creator Quinta Brunson and for supporting actress Sheryl Lee Ralph, who memorably broke into song on the Emmys stage) and nabbed another Emmy in 2023 for a total of four wins and 24 noms.

Fifty years ago, Welcome Back, Kotter was a progenitor of the form. It ran for four seasons spanning 1975-79 and followed high school teacher Gabe Kotter (Gabe Kaplan) as he formed an unlikely bond with his class of students, known as the Sweathogs: Vinnie Barbarino (John Travolta), Arnold Horshack (Ron Palillo), Freddie “Boom Boom” Washington (Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs) and Juan Epstein (Robert Hegyes) among them. The cast began as relative unknowns, but by...

Alan Sacks, who teamed with stand-up comic and fellow Brooklynite Gabe Kaplan to create the popular 1970s ABC sitcom Welcome, Back, Kotter, has died. He was 81.

Sacks died Tuesday of complications from lymphoma in New York while on a visit there, his wife, talent agent Annette van Duren, told The Hollywood Reporter. He was first diagnosed 22 years ago but spent several years in remission before the cancer returned.

In the 1980s, after a project involving the iconic L.A. band The Runaways never got off the ground, Sacks took the footage and incorporated it into a plot about a director working on a tight deadline to finish a movie starring Runaways member Joan Jett.

The resulting film, Du-Beat-e-o (1984), which he also helmed, was set against the background of the hardcore L.A. punk scene and featured Ray Sharkey and Derf Scratch of the punk band Fear.

He also wrote and...

High school sitcoms have always been a mixed bag, largely because the issues kids are dealing with at that age beg for a more nuanced take than the half-hour format can provide. Godawful shows like "Saved by the Bell," "Head of the Class" and "Hangin' with Mr. Cooper" are the low standard a high school sitcom has to clear nowadays, so we need to count our blessings when something as wonderful as Mike O'Brien's "A.P. Bio" and the currently airing Brian Jordan Alvarez's "English Teacher" arrives.

Before those two sitcoms, the bar was set reasonably high by Gabe Kaplan's "Welcome Back, Kotter." Based in part on Kaplan's sitcom act, the comedian stars as Gabe Kotter, a former underachiever who returns to his old Bensonhurst Brooklyn neighborhood to teach at the high school that used to seem like a prison to him. He's now in charge of a new batch of knuckleheads,...

As an avid child of television, Friday nights were something to look forward to as ABC had the coolest shows from 8-11 p.m. Nestled between The Patridge Family and The Odd Couple was Room 222, more a dramedy than a straightforward sitcom. As school let out in January 1974, the network clearly wasn’t done with classes as just over a year later, they debuted a true sitcom: Welcome Back, Kotter.

The series ran until May 1979, and its superb casting catapulted John Travolta to superstardom. Born from standup comic Gabe Kapler’s routines about his Brooklyn high school experiences, the premise saw Gabe Kotter return to his alma mater, James Buchanan High, this time as a teacher. He was assigned the lowest performing students, dubbed the Sweathogs, of which he was once one.

Filmed before an audience on videotape, it closely resembled the other popular half-hour shows of the era.

Burbank, CA – “Welcome Back, Welcome Back, Welcome Back!” For the first time ever, all episodes from the classic TV series are brought together in one set with the release of Welcome Back, Kotter: The Complete Series on DVD on June 11th, available for purchase online and in-store at major retailers. Get ready to binge on all 95 episodes, and go down memory lane as our favorite high school teacher, Gabe Kotter, returns to his childhood inner-city high school to teach a new generation of trouble-making kids.

Welcome Back, Kotter premiered in 1975 and aired for four seasons. The series was nominated for four Emmy Awards®, including Outstanding Comedy Series in 1976. The original cast includes a young John Travolta playing Vinnie Barbarino in his first principal TV role. The series also stars Gabe Kaplan as Gabe Kotter, Marcia Strassman as Julie Kotter, John Sylvester White as Mr. Woodman, Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs as Washington, Robert Hegyes as Epstein,...

In the mid-1970s, ABC introduced a pair of unique comedies that tried to shake things up a little bit. One was the Hal Linden cop sitcom Barney Miller, while the other was stand-up comedian Gabe Kaplan’s high school-set Welcome Back, Kotter. The premise of the latter (which introduced John Travolta to the world) had Gabe playing Gabe Kotter, a teacher with a sense of humor who takes a job at his alma mater, James Buchanan High School, located in Brooklyn, New York. He’s given a classroom of juvenile delinquents known as the Sweathogs, and assigned by school assistant principal Michael Woodman to keep them “contained” until they either drop out or somehow manage to graduate. But, instead, Kotter, who was one of the original Sweathogs in his youth, tries to connect with them to make them better people in the process. It sounds more like a serious drama (going way back,...

Welcome Back, Kotter indeed. Recently, it was announced the '70s TV show is coming to Antenna TV.The classic ABC sitcom starred Gabe Kaplan as Gabe Kotter, a teacher who returns to his high school to teach a class of slackers known as the "Sweathogs." The cast also included John Travolta, Marcia Strassman, John Sylvester White, Ron Palillo, Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, and Robert Hegyes. The show ran for four seasons before ending in 1979.Read More…...

The lead singer of the Australian group the Divinyls died at her NYC home on April 21, after battling breast cancer and multiple sclerosis.

Chrissy Amphlett died on April 21, at the age of 53. The Australian singer, most famous for her 1991 hit “I Touch Myself,” died at her home in NYC. Her husband, Charley Drayton released a statement that said she “succumbed to the effects of breast cancer and multiple sclerosis.”

Chrissy Amphlett Dead At 53

The singer recently spoke about her illness and said: “My illnesses have really exhausted this little body of mine that I have thrown from one end of the stage to another and performed thousands of shows that sadly some of you missed. With that said I am getting stronger but there is still some fine tuning and work to be done on myself.”

Chrissy’s band the Divinyls formed in 1980 and went on to record six albums over the next 14 years.

So sad. The newspaper visionary who founded a household name in print journalism died in his home in Cocoa Beach, Fla. on April 19. He was 89 years old.

Allen Neuharth, the former Gannett chairman who founded USA Today and one of the newspaper industry’s most influential figures, died at the age of 89 years old on April 19 after sustaining injuries during a fall at his house in Florida.

Allen Neuharth: Founder Of USA Today Dies At 89

As a parting wish, Allen had written a column to be published in the USA Today after his death. ”As a journalist, I had a wonderful window on the world,” Allen wrote. “For nearly 50 years as a reporter and editor, I tried to tell stories accurately and fairly, without opinion.”

In those 50 or so years as a journalist, Allen showed newsroom intelligence and boardroom savvy, turning Gannett into one of the biggest media companies in the world.

The infamous porn star who starred in the seminal adult film ‘Deep Throat’ passed away on Tuesday night, Mar. 19, from declining health.

Harry Reems, born Herbert Streicher, tragically died on Tuesday, Mar. 19. The cause of death is yet to be determined, but Harry was suffering from multiple health complications, including pancreatic cancer. His wife, Jeanne, confirmed his death on Wednesday, Mar. 20.

Harry was the lead actor in the adult film Deep Throat, which became a pop culture international sensation when it was released in 1972. The movie grossed over $600 million worldwide. The film seems to be suffering a tragic curse, unfortunately. Deep Throat’s star, Linda Lovelace, also died young at the age of 53 from a horrific car accident in 2002.

Harry’s life after the film, was a winding ride. He, along with 11 other people, was arrested in 1974 for charges of conspiracy to transport obscene material across state lines and became...

Famed executive producer Henry passed away on Mar. 18, reportedly of a heart attack. He was 66 years old.

Henry Bromell, executive producer of the critically acclaimed Showtime series Homeland, passed away at the age of 66 on Monday, March. 18.

His agent and friend Peter Bendek told The Associated Press that Henry died at a Los Angeles area hospital. According to the Los Angeles Times, his death was caused by a heart attack.

“We are deeply saddened by our dear friend Henry Bromell, who has been part of the Showtime family for over a decade,” Showtime executives said in a statement regarding the producer, who worked on the Claire Danes and Damian Lewis-starring show since its premiere in 2011. “Henry was an immensely talented and prolific writer, director and showrunner, and his work on Brotherhood and Homeland was nothing short of brilliant.”

“His passion, warmth, humor and generosity will be greatly missed,” the statement continued.

The ensemble casts of Argo and Downton Abbey upset the competition at the 19th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards Sunday night at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. In the ceremony honoring the year's best performances in film and television, other unexpected and/or well-deserved wins went to Daniel Day-Lewis, Jennifer Lawrence, Bryan Cranston, Tina Fey, Anne Hathaway and Claire Danes. Read on for the recap…

Click Here for the complete list of winners.

The Best Ensembles

The night's top award, Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture, went to the 13 actors of Argo, with a stunned Ben Affleck excitedly making sure he thanked his wife Jennifer Garner and studio, Warner Bros. in the middle of lauding the many speaking roles required for his film: "They wanted to kill it to make the movie better," he said, declaring of the win, "I am really amazed and stunned." The true-life Iran hostage tale beat out Lincoln...

As a new year dawns, a tribute to those we've lost in the year now ending is merited ... and in 2012, those sad milestones have encompassed some of the most popular personalities in television history.

Andy Griffith: The actor-producer who put Mayberry on the map forever will be remembered as one of television's most genial personalities, also extending to his run as wily lawyer Matlock.

Dick Clark: The number of music stars who owe at least part of their success to the "American Bandstand" maestro is incalculable. Thanks to him, people also enjoy "New Year's Rockin' Eve," receive American Music Awards and have a greater appreciation of bloopers. Here's a "so long" salute to you, Dick.

Larry Hagman: The truly unfortunate irony of the veteran actor's recent death is that he was just starting his second round of "Dallas" success as master schemer J.R. Ewing. He'll also...

Showtime's Homeland and ABC's Modern Family were the big winners at the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards Sunday night, airing live from the Nokia Theater in downtown Los Angeles. Read on the for the recap…

Click Here for the complete list of winners!

The Drama

Homeland bested drama contenders Boardwalk Empire, Breaking Bad, Downton Abbey, Mad Men and Game of Thrones for the Outstanding Drama series honor. The show's leading man Damian Lewis pleasantly surprised the room with an Outstanding Lead Actor win over tough competitors Jon Hamm (Mad Men), Steve Buscemi (Boardwalk Empire), Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad), Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey) and Michael C. Hall (Dexter). "I'm one of those pesky Brits, apologies," he said, acknowledging his fellow nominees and the Homeland cast members that he likes "to dine with."

Pics: Star Sightings: A-Listers at the 2012 Emmys

Damian's Homeland co-star Claire Danes won for Outstanding Lead Actress. Besting Glenn Close (Damages), Michelle Dockery (Downton Abbey), Julianna Margulies ([link...

Another Sweathog has gone to heaven: Actor Ron Palillo, who played the needy, nerdy Arnold Horshack on ABC's mid-70s smash high-school-set sitcom Welcome Back, Kotter, died today at the age of 63. Kotter never got passed from generation to generation like, say, The Brady Bunch, so when the news started trickling out over Twitter and Facebook this morning, those born after Jimmy Carter took office likely shrugged uncomprehendingly or, if in procrastination mode, made a detour to Google to ask "What's a Horshack?" But Palillo's passing, which follows the January death of fellow Sweathog Robert Hegyes (Epstein), gave Gen Xers a sad pause in the day as they went rushing to YouTube (today's pop-culture group mourning spot) to search for clips of him honking his Eddie Murphy-like laugh.Palillo's Horshack — one of the underachieving crew of Mr. Kotter's students called the Sweathogs, led by John Travolta's Vinnie Barbarino...

Actor Ron Palillo has passed away suddenly at the age of 63. He died at his Florida home early this morning, according to his friend Stacy Sacco. Jacqueline Stander, an agent for Palillo, told NBC that the actor had a heart attack and passed away in his sleep.

He was best known for playing "Sweathog" Arnold Dingfelder Horshak on the hit TV series Welcome Back, Kotter. The show aired from 1975-79 on ABC and featured a young John Travolta as well as Gabe Kaplan, Marcia Strassman, John Sylvester White, Robert Hegyes, Lawrence-Hilton Jacobs, Melonie Haller, and Stephen Shortridge.

Patillo had other supporting TV roles over the years and provided voices in various animated TV series like Laverne and Shirley in the Army and Darkwing Duck. He also had starring roles in musical productions like Amadeus, Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf? and Guys and Dolls.

Ron Palillo—best known for playing the snickering, attention-starved Sweathog Arnold Horshack on Welcome Back, Kotter—has died following a heart attack. He was 63. As Horshack, Palillo turned being irritating into a comic artform, constantly petitioning Gabe Kaplan's teacher character with his signature "Ooooh! Ooooh!" (a parody of Joe E. Ross's exclamations from Car 54, Where Are You?, though arguably made more famous by Palillo). While Epstein—played by Robert Hegyes, who died in January—provided a touch of Marx Bros.-inspired zaniness to the goings-on at James Buchanan High, it was Horshack who was more explicitly ...

To the mainstream world he's best known as Horshack from "Welcome Back, Kotter," but to horror fans he'll always be Allen Hawes in Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI . Ron Palillo has passed away at age 63 from a heart attack.

Per TMZ, Palillo died this morning at his home near Palm Beach, Florida. He was found by his partner of many years, Joseph Gramm, around 4:00 Am. Gramm called an ambulance, and Palillo was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Pilillo's other genre appearances include The Curse of Micah Rood, Trees 2: The Root of All Evil, and Hellgate.

Coincidentally, Palillo's "Kotter" co-star Robert Hegyes -- who played Epstein -- also passed away earlier this year after suffering a heart attack.

We here at Dread Central send our condolences to Ron's friends and family. "Ooh ooh ooh, Mr. Palillo!" You will be missed.

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Ron Palillo, who played Horschack on Welcome Back, Kotter, has died. He was 63. Welcome Back Kotter ran from 1975-1979 on ABC. Palillo’s role as one of the high school gang known as the Sweathogs was as the goofball. The series starred Gabe Kaplan as Brooklyn teacher Gabe Kotter. John Travolta, Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs and Robert Hegyes, who passed away earlier this year, played the other Sweathogs. After Kotter ended. Palillo performed on Broadway and did artwork for children’s books. The past few years, Palillo taught freshman drama at the G-Star School for the Arts for Motion Pictures and Broadcasting in Palm Beach, Fla.

Ron Palillo, whose nasally delivery made him one of the most memorable Sweathogs on the 1970s sitcom Welcome Back, Kotter, died last night in Palm Beach, Fla., suffering a heart attack in his sleep. He was 63.

Beginning in 1975, Palillo was one of the oddball students who tested Mr. Kotter for four seasons on the popular ABC show that also featured Gabe Kaplan and a young John Travolta. His character Arnold Dingfelder Horshack was always the first to raise his hand in class — “Ooo-ooo-oooooh!!” — and his wheezing staccato laugh was a punch line in itself.

In the 1980s, Palillo guested on several popular programs,...

Ron Palillo -- the actor who played Horshack on "Welcome Back, Kotter" -- died this morning at his home near Palm Beach, Fl from an apparent heart attack ... this according to someone close to the actor.We're told Palillo was found by his partner of many years Joseph Gramm around 4:00 Am. Gramm called an ambulance and Palillo was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.We're told the heart attack was very unexpected.

The 75-year-old star reportedly shot himself in the head. Don Cornelius committed suicide, law enforcement officials tell TMZ. The Soul Train creator was found dead by cops at his Los Angeles home early in the morning on Feb. 1. Sadly, the last years of his life were not the happiest. In 2008, Don was arrested for beating up his wife. He pled no contest to misdemeanor domestic violence - which landed him on three-years probation! Then in 2009, het went through a divorce. He told an L.A. judge he was suffering from "significant health issues" and wanted to "finalize this divorce before I die.." In 2010, the divorce was granted. Rest in Peace, Don Cornelius. Recent Tragic Passings ‘Welcome Back Kotter’ Star Robert Hegyes Dead At Age 60 Etta James Dead At Age 73 — So Sad Joe Frazier Dead — Boxing Legend Dies At 67. So Sad.

"Welcome Back Kotter" actor Robert Hegyes has passed away from a heart attack on Thursday morning. He was 60 years old. Hegyes is best known for playing Juan Epstein on "Welcome Back Kotter," the 1970s sitcom, which starred John Travolta and Gabe Kaplan. He appeared in all four seasons of the show and joined most of his fellow Sweathogs at the "Welcome Back Kotter" reunion held at the 2011 TV Land Awards. After "Kotter," Hegyes went on to co-star in "Cagney and Lacey" as Detective Manny Esposito. His other TV work includes an episode of "The Love Boat," "NewsRadio" and "CHiPS." His last credited role was in the 2002 movie "Hip, Edgy, Sexy, Cool."...

Hit comedy show from the '70s, "Welcome Back, Kotter," is back in the spotlight after the sudden death of cast member, Robert Hegyes, who played Juan Epstein, passed away on Thursday.

"Extra" takes a look at the show's memorable cast members... where are they now? Take a look!

The Cast of 'Welcome Back, Kotter': Where Are They Now?John Travolta

As the tough-talking Vinnie Barbarino, John Travolta has made a name for himself in...

The actor best known for playing Jewish Puerto Rican student Juan Epstein on the 1970s TV show "Welcome Back Kotter" has died.

The Flynn & Son Funeral Home in Fords, N.J., says it was informed of Robert Hegyes' death Thursday by the actor's family. He was 60.

A spokesman at JFK Medical Center in Edison, N.J., told the Star-Ledger newspaper that Hegyes, of Metuchen, arrived at the hospital in the morning in full cardiac arrest and died.

Hegyes was appearing on Broadway in 1975 when he auditioned for "Kotter," a TV series about a teacher who returns to the inner-city school of his youth to teach a group of remedial students. They included the character Vinnie Barbarino, played by John Travolta and Gabe Kaplan as Kotter.

Robert Hegyes, who played Juan Epstein on '70s sitcom "Welcome Back, Kotter," died Thursday from an apparent heart attack. He was 60.

The actor, whose health had been steadily declining for the past two years, suffered chest pains at his New Jersey home before going into full cardiac arrest. He died at JFK Medical Center in Edison.

Hegyes is best remembered for his role on "Kotter" as the Jewish/Puerto Rican wisecracking student, Juan Luis Pedro Phillipo de Huevos Epstein,...

Actor Robert Hegyes died after an apparent heart attack in his native New Jersey yesterday, the New Jersey Star-Ledger reports. The 60-year-old, who acted on Broadway, co-starred in Cagney and Lacey and guest-starred in everything from the Drew Carey Show to Diagnosis Murder, will forever be remembered as high school student Juan Luis Pedro Filipo De Huevos Epstein, his role on Welcome Back, Kotter, from 1975-1979.

Most people think of Kotter as the show that made John Travolta’s career. Not me. Though of Italian descent himself, the Jewish Puerto Rican Hegyes played has always been a kind of icon for mixed-up products of immigration. As the daughter of a Dominican and a Hungarian Israeli, I basically grew up hearing “Juan Epstein” jokes all my life, and I can’t say I minded it. If people associated my crazy background with a wise-cracking kid on TV reruns, that seemed pretty cool to me.

This news is hard to process, but Robert Hegyes, who starred in my favorite '70s hit comedy that was never missed in my home, "Welcome Back Kotter," has died. The classic TV show featured the antics of a group of less-than-stellar New York city high school kids, starring Hegyes, John Travolta, Ron Palillo, Gabe Kaplan and Lawrence-Hilton Jacobs. Hegyes portrayed Epstein, aka Juan Luis Pedro Phillipo de Huevos Epstein, the Jewish Puerto Rican fast-talker with a heart of gold. Hegyes died from an apparent heart attack after suffering chest pains at his Metuchen home. He was 60. The group, known as the Sweathogs, reunited last year at the TV Land Awards to recognize the show's 35th anniversary. On...

ReelzChannel Celebrity Rundown

Demi Moore was either doing whip-its or popping Adderall before suffering a seizure that led to her hospitalization, according to TMZ and RadarOnline. Now she'll seek treatment for anorexia and substance abuse.

Earlier Ashton Kutcher didn't seem too concerned about his wife's crisis, as he fist pumped at a Bruno Mars concert in Brazil, but a source tells People Ashton is deeply concerned for Demi" and he's arrived back in La.

The La Police says that the 911 call that brought paramedics to Moore's home won't be released until next week. When it is, though, the call will be edited to remove medical and drug details — changes that comply with federal medical privacy rules.

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Robert Hegyes, best known for playing Juan Epstein on Welcome Back, Kotter, died of an apparent heart attack on Thursday. Along with the hit '70s sitcom, Hegyes also starred in the detective series...

The actor suffered a heart attack -- so sad. Robert Hegyes, best known for his role as Juan Luis Pedro Phillipo de Huevos Epstein in Welcome Back Kotter, has passed away. The 60-year-old had a heart attack in his New Jersey home on Jan. 26, The Star Ledger reports. He is survived by three siblings, two children and two step-children. Recent Hollywood Deaths Etta James Dead At Age 73 — So Sad Joe Frazier Dead — Boxing Legend Dies At 67. So Sad. Andy Rooney Dies At 92 — So Sad.

Grant Gustin is thrilled to be a troublemaker on Glee, but he was completely unprepared for the backlash from Klaine fans on Twitter, who offered death threats almost immediately. But how he found out he got the part may be the best part of the story.

IFC has purchased How To Survive a Plague, the AIDS documentary screening at Sundance. I'm glad it's going to get distribution.

Terry Jones is set to direct John Cleese and Michael Palin (and possibly Eric Idle) in Absolutely Anything, in which aliens come to earth and give one person the power to do absolutely anything just to see what chaos ensues.

Fox has greenlit Prodigy Bully with Mike O'Malley, based on the one minute shorts. It centers on a guy who uses his brains and his brawn to get anything he wants. I'm fine with O'Malley getting a new show – as long as it's on Fox.

Everett “Welcome Back Koter” cast, clockwise from top left, Ron Palillo, Robert Hegyes, Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, Gabe Kaplan, John Travolta, 1975-79.

“Welcome Back Kotter” star Robert Hegyes dies; “Let’s Stay Together” sales boosted by Obama…

“Welcome Back Kotter” Star Dies: Robert Hegyes, known for his role as Juan Epstein on “Welcome Back Kotter,” has passed away at the age of 60. According to Reuters, Hegyes was in cardiac arrest when paramedics took the sitcom star to the hospital. The actor would...

Robert Hegyes has died at the age of 60. The actor, best known for playing Jewish Puerto Rican student Juan Epstein on Welcome Back Kotter, died after suffering a cardiac arrest yesterday morning (January 26), The Star-Ledger reports. Hegyes was taken to JFK Medical Center in Edison with chest pains after Metuchen police responded to a call from his home for medical assistance just after 9am. He suffered a full cardiac arrest by the time he reached the emergency room at 9.40am. Hegyes, (more)...

Welcome Back Kotter actor Robert Hegyes, who played Jewish Puerto Rican student Juan Epstein on the television show, has died at 60, the Associated Press reports. The Flynn & Son Funeral Home in Fords, NJ was informed of the actor's death on Thursday by his family. Hegyes had been transported to the JFK Medical Center in Edison, NJ that morning in full cardiac arrest and died, the Star-Ledger reports. Photos: Hollywood's Notable Deaths of 2011 Hegyes got his big break on Kotter, a 1970s TV series about a teacher who returned to an inner-city New York school he

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Actor Robert Hegyes, best known for playing Sweathog Juan Epstein on Welcome Back, Kotter, has died. The Star-Ledger reports he suffered an apparent heart attack at his New Jersey home earlier this morning. He was 60 years old.

Hegyes played Epstein on ABC's hit sitcom Welcome Back, Kotter for all four seasons, starring alongside Gabe Kaplan, Marcia Strassman, John Sylvester White, Lawrence-Hilton Jacobs, Ron Palillo, and John Travolta.

The actor said that he modeled the "Juan Luis Pedro Philippo DeHuevos Epstein" character after Chico Marx, whom he later played in a national touring production of A Night With Groucho. Most of the Kotter cast reunited at last year's TV Land Awards to celebrate the sitcom's 35th anniversary.

Hegyes also co-starred on Cagney & Lacey as Detective Manny Esposito and guest-starred on other beloved shows like The Love Boat, NewsRadio, Diagnosis Murder, The...

One of our Sweathogs really is missing now. Robert Hegyes, best known for playing Juan Epstein—one of Gabe Kaplan's "star" pupils—in Welcome Back, Kotter, died this morning after an apparent heart attack, according to New Jersey's Star Ledger. He was 60. The actor, who also played a detective on the later seasons of Cagney & Lacey, had been in poor health since suffering a previous heart attack a couple of years ago, according to his brother. But he will always be remembered as the note-from-his-mutha-forging Juan Luis Pedro Philippo DeHuevos Epstein! "The character of Epstein from Welcome Back, Kotter was modeled after Chico," the avowed Marx Brothers fan...

Welcome Back, Kotter actor Robert Hegyes has died at the age of 60.

The star suffered an apparent heart attack at his home in New Jersey on Thursday and was transported by ambulance to the nearby JFK Medical Center, where he was subsequently pronounced dead.

Hegyes was well known for his role as wiseguy Juan Epstein in hit U.S. sitcom Welcome Back, Kotter, which featured Gabe Kaplan and a young John Travolta during the 1970's.

He also appeared on crime series Cagney & Lacey in the late 1980s and landed small TV roles on CHiPs, L.A. Heat and Diagnosis Murder.

Robert Hegyes, best known as John Travolta's fellow "Sweathog" Juan Epstein on the sitcom Welcome Back, Kotter, has died. He was 60 Hegyes died from an apparent heart attack after having chest pains, The Star-Ledger reports. His brother tells the New Jersey paper the actor had suffered a heart attack in the last couple of years and was not well. Hegyes, who was born in New Jersey, played a wise-cracking Jewish Puerto Rican student with an infectious wide grin. He co-starred in the classic comedy with a young Travolta, who played Vinnie Barbarino.Hegyes also acted in Cagney and Lacey NewsRadio,...

Robert Hegyes, best known for playing Juan Epstein on Welcome Back, Kotter, died Thursday from an apparent heart attack, The Star-Ledger reports. He was 60.

A New Jersey native, Hegyes studied speech and theater at Rowan University (where he taught later in his career) before finding stage work in New York both on and off Broadway.  In 1975, Hegyes was cast on...

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Robert Hegyes, who played Juan Epstein on '70s sitcom "Welcome Back, Kotter, died Thursday, the New Jersey Star-Ledger reports. Hegyes, who died of an apparent heart attack after suffering chest pains at his Metuchen, New Jersey home, was 60. Hegyes had not been in good health for the past two years, his brother Mark Hegyes told the paper. The actor had suffered a previous heart attack in recent years. Police responded to an emergency call from Hegyes' home at approximately 9 a.m. He was transported to JFK Medical Center in Edison, New...

"Welcome Back Kotter" actor Robert Hegyes has died. According to New Jersey's The Star-Ledger, he was 60 years old.

The Star-Ledger reports he suffered an apparent heart attack in his New Jersey home on Thursday morning.

Hegyes is best known for playing Juan Epstein on "Welcome Back Kotter," the 1970s sitcom, which starred John Travolta and Gabe Kaplan. He appeared in all four seasons of the sitcom and joined most of his fellow Sweathogs at the "Welcome Back Kotter" reunion held at the 2011 TV Land Awards. After "Kotter," Hegyes went on to co-star in "Cagney and Lacey" as Detective Manny Esposito. His other TV work includes an episode of "The Love Boat," "NewsRadio" and "CHiPS."

Hegyes' last credited role was in the 2002 movie "Hip, Edgy, Sexy, Cool."

His brother Mark told The Star-Ledger that Robert was retired, but still talked about being involved in local arts efforts. "He always had these great schemes,...

Metuchen, N.J. (AP) — Robert Hegyes, the actor best known for playing Jewish Puerto Rican student Juan Epstein on the 1970s TV show "Welcome Back Kotter" has died. He was 60.The Flynn & Son Funeral Home in Fords, N.J., said it was informed of Hegyes' death Thursday by the actor's family.A spokesman at JFK Medical Center in Edison, N.J., told the Star-Ledger newspaper that Hegyes, of Metuchen, arrived at the hospital Thursday morning in full cardiac arrest and died.Hegyes was appearing on Broadway in 1975 when he auditioned for "Kotter," a TV series about a teacher who returns to the inner-city New York school of his youth to teach a group of irreverent remedial students nicknamed the "Sweathogs." They included the character Vinnie Barbarino, played by John Travolta.The show's theme song, performed by John Sebastian, became a pop hit.Hegyes also appeared on many other TV series,...

"Welcome Back Kotter" actor Robert Hegyes has died. According to New Jersey's The Star-Ledger, he was 60 years old.

The Star-Ledger reports he suffered an apparent heart attack in his New Jersey home on Thursday morning.

Hegyes is best known for playing Juan Epstein on "Welcome Back Kotter," the 1970s sitcom, which starred John Travolta and Gabe Kaplan. He appeared in all four seasons of the sitcom and joined most of his fellow Sweathogs at the "Welcome Back Kotter" reunion held at the 2011 TV Land Awards. After "Kotter," Hegyes went on to co-star in "Cagney and Lacey" as Detective Manny Esposito. His other TV work includes an episode of "The Love Boat," "NewsRadio" and "CHiPS."

Hegyes' last credited role was in the 2002 movie "Hip, Edgy, Sexy, Cool."

His brother Mark told The Star-Ledger that Robert was retired, but still talked about being involved in local arts efforts. "He always had these great schemes,...

Actor Robert Hegyes, one of the stars of the 70s sitcom "Welcome Back Kotter" died today of an apparent heart attack.Hegyes was best known for his role as the Puerto Rican-Jew on that show -- Juan Luis Pedro Phillipo de Huevos Epstein. Epstein for short.Hegyes reunited with John Travolta and the rest of the Sweathogs last year to accept TV Land's 35th Anniversary Award.He also co-starred on the hit drama, "Cagney and Lacey.

The 9th Annual TV Land Awards aired Sunday night, and if viewers had even half as much fun as honoree John Travolta did, it was worth tuning in for. Let’s break it down:

Best presenter: Stevie Wonder, who guested on The Cosby Show in 1986. He presented the cast with the Impact award. The show, Wonder said, “united us in love, laughter, and dignity,” and “reminded us that we are all one family. It lifted us up and took us all to higher ground.” Cue a live rendition of “Higher Ground” that eventually had Bill Cosby dancing at his table.

Over the weekend, the cast of Welcome Back, Kotter reunited for the annual TV Land Awards -- Gabe Kaplan ("Mr. Kotter"), John Travolta ("Vinnie Barbarino"), Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs ("Freddie 'Boom Boom' Washington"), Robert Hegyes ("Juan Epstein"), and Marcia Strassman ("Julie Kotter").

Ron Palillo ("Arnold Horshack"), who's attended the ceremony in the past when it was held in Los Angeles, was scheduled to appear but was apparently not feeling well. Ellen Travolta, John's sister, who occasionally played Horshack's mother, was on hand.

Good Morning America and Access Hollywood took advantage of the occasion to interview the former castmates. You can watch that below and can see the on-stage reunion this Sunday night on TV Land.

What do...

Some of the biggest stars in sitcom history reunited this weekend in NYC -- for the 9th Annual TV Land Awards ! The casts of " The Cosby Show ," " Family Ties ," " Welcome Back Kotter " and " The Facts of Life " were all on hand at this year's event. The "Cosby" cast -- including Bill Cosby , Tempestt Bledsoe , Keshia Night Pulliam , Phylicia Rashad , Malcolm-Jamal Warner , Raven Symone and Sabrina Le Beauf picked up " The Impact Award " at the show. The " Family Ties " cast -- including Michael J. Fox , wife Tracy Pollan , Meredith Baxter , Michael Goss , Justine Bateman and Tina Yothers -- went home with the " Fan Favorite Award ." Other award winners: John Travolta reunited with "Kotter" co-stars Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs , Marcia Strassman , Robert Hegyes , Ellen Travolta and Gabe Kaplan for the " 35th Anniversary Award ." "Facts of Life"-ers Cloris Leachman , Kim Fields , Mindy Cohn , Charlotte Rae , Lisa Whelchel , Geri Jewell and Nancy McKeon accepted the...

It looks like TV Land is going all out for this year's TV Land Awards. In addition to the Welcome Back, Kotter reunion (which now includes Gabe Kaplan and Robert Hegyes), they're reuniting the core cast of The Facts of Life -- Charlotte Rae, Lisa Whelchel, Kim Fields, Nancy McKeon, and Mindy Cohn. There have been a few reunions over the years (most notably 2001's The Facts of Life Reunion movie) but one of the actresses was always absent, usually McKeon.

Now, if they could also include performers from the later years -- Cloris Leachmen, Mackenzie Astin, and George Clooney -- the reunion would truly be complete. Or, how about the composer of the theme song, Alan Thicke, or frequent guest Geri Jewell?

Here's the press release from TV Land:

The Cast Of "The Facts Of Life" Joins Other Iconic Stars...

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Welcome Back Kotter and...

It was enough to make us yell "Up your nose with a rubber hose" when we initally heard the news that neither Gabe Kaplan or Robert Hegyes were scheduled to attend next month's Welcome Back, Kotter reunion. Fortunately, we just received word that both Mr. Kotter and Sweathog Juan Epstein will now be joining John Travolta and the rest of the cast when the hit '70s sitcom is honored at the upcoming TV Land Awards in NYC. But they're not the only beloved boob tube icons from our youth who are coming together... The cast of The Facts of Life will also be on hand during the April 10 ceremony (airing on TV Land April 17)! Yep, according to a press release, Mindy Cohn, Kim Fields, Nancy...