Vale: Robert Hegyes
So long to 'Epstein,' one of the Welcome Back, Kotter sweathogs.
- Published by David Knox
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Robert Hegyes, best known as Welcome Back, Kotter‘s Epstein, has died, aged 60.
Hegyes died of an apparent heart attack after suffering chest pains at his home in New Jersey.
He had not been in good health for the past two years, having suffered a previous heart attack in recent years.
Hegyes found fame as ‘sweathog’ Juan Epstein the 1970s sitcom Welcome Back, Kotter from 1975 to 1979. Perpetually scheming and always ready with a self-written note signed “Epstein’s Mother” to explain his school absences, he was part of the ensemble with a young John Travolta and teacher, played by Gabe Kaplan.
Last year he appeared with most of the original cast members for a reunion to mark the series’ 35th anniversary.
He also had roles in Cagney & Lacey, NewsRadio and Diagnosis Murder with his final role in 2002’s film Hip, Edgy, Sexy, Cool.
Source: The Wrap
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- Tagged with Cagney & Lacey, Diagnosis Murder, NewsRadio, Welcome Back Kotter
5 Responses
R.I.P Epstein ‘sweathog’ Welcome Back Kotter was a classic sitcom & i enjoyed it growing up as a kid in the late 70’s
Vale Robert, taking a note to God from Epstein’s Mother’s doctor. 🙁
@ roaringdave – i agree it’s very sad..it comes as such a shock as he’s forever the young epstein in wbc and we don’t think of them getting old. 60 is so young too these days. a sad day for fans of classic sitcoms:(
It’s sad when the people you grew up watching pass away…RIP Epstein…
That’s very sad – i recall his hip afro and cheeky face and atittude from that Kotter show. Of course Travolta dominated, but the show had some great characters.