Well, yesterday I blogged about the recent deaths of famous people and what happens today? One of the Sweathogs in the ’70s hit “Welcome Back, Kotter,” Robert Hegyes dies at the age of 60.
ABC | Getty Images
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.” (From imdb.com)
I remember watching Welcome Back, Kotter when I was a kid. I loved the theme song of the show too (by John B. Sebastian.) I thought the show was pretty funny. I always wanted to be a “Sweathog” along with Freddie ‘Boom Boom’ Washington (Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs), Arnold Horshack (Ron Palillo) and Vinnie Barbarino (John Travolta). And I thought Gabe Kotter (Gabe Kaplan) would be a great teacher to have. I did like when Epstein would say, “Hey, Mr. Kotter, I got a note!” Who hasn’t tried that line before?
Plus they had some of the greatest lines:
- “Up your nose with a rubber hose!”
- “What?” “Where?” “Why?”
- “Ooh-ooh-ooooh!”
- “Hi there” when Washington would say it.
- “I’m so confused.”
Then they started showing reruns of the show in the 90′s and they were still funny. In 2011 the cast of Welcome Back, Kotter was honored with a TV Land Award for their 35th Anniversary. It was nice to see the gang back together again.
The castmembers will be honored with the 35th Anniversary Award at the 2011 TV Land Awards, airing April 17. (Heidi Gutman/ABC )
So sad that stars from our youth are passing away.
One of the best posts that I read today regarding Robert Hegyes’ death was by imdb.com
Rest in peace, Robert… Signed, Epstein’s Mother.
Side note:
Looks like there is another cycle of three famous people to die.
Filed under: Music, TV, In Memoriam, The 70's Tagged: | Gabe Kaplan, John B. Sebastian, John Travolta, Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, Robert Hegyes, Ron Palillo, Sweathogs, TV Land Award
