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    Robert Hegyes, played Epstein on 'Kotter,' dies

    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, including "Cagney & Lacey."

    He was born in Perth Amboy and grew up in Metuchen, the eldest child of a Hungarian father and Italian mother.

    He attended Rowan University, formerly Glassboro State College, in southern New Jersey, before heading to New York City after graduation. He returned to Rowan on several occasions to teach master classes in acting, a university spokesman said Thursday.

    "He was a good friend to the university," spokesman Joe Cardona said.

    Hegyes continued to act after "Kotter" and was a regular on "Cagney & Lacey." He also guest-starred in shows including "Diagnosis Murder" and "The Drew Carey Show."

    On his website, Hegyes wrote that he was inspired by Chico Marx, whom he had played in a touring production of a show about the Marx Bros. He also recalled how his mother encouraged him to get involved in theater as a teen.

     
    • brian  •  Baton Rouge, Louisiana  •  4 mths ago
      Dear Heavenly Guys, Please let Juan in. Signed, Epstein's Mother. Thanks for the laughs!! RIP
      • fraz 4 mths ago
        Epstein's mother really wrote that... GREAT POST!

        BTW, up your nose with a rubber hose.
      • Kathy 4 mths ago
        Awesome...thanks!
      • giggity 4 mths ago
        Very cool ! Those notes were hilarious !!!
    • nonparieldolls  •  Greensboro, North Carolina  •  4 mths ago
      He was sooo funny as Epstein. May it comfort his family a little bit to know Robert will be missed and remembered by his fans.
    • Black Jesus  •  4 mths ago
      Rest in Peace Sweat Hog.
    • Mr. Happy  •  4 mths ago
      A note to "Epstein's Mother": Your son was awesome in WBC!
      • Bill 4 mths ago
        WBK dude.....Kotter with a K, not C
    • David  •  New York, New York  •  4 mths ago
      So young...I feel sad and very old!!
    • Keena  •  Frisco, Texas  •  4 mths ago
      RIP Epstein:-(
    • nanchan  •  Doylestown, Pennsylvania  •  4 mths ago
      Dear Mr. Kotter: Please excuse Epstein from life. He is needed up here to entertain the angels and to make me smile. Signed, Eptein's Mother (aka God)
    • Ciberpuppi  •  4 mths ago
      I find his reference to Chico Marx interesting, as I used to always imagine him and the others as various incarnations of The Marx Brothers.

      C-Pup
      • G G 4 mths ago
        Didn't they do that in an episode?
      • Kiki 4 mths ago
        I seem to remember that as well
    • countrymusicfan  •  Chicago, Illinois  •  4 mths ago
      So so sad. RIP Epstein.
    • GhettoRanger  •  Detroit, Michigan  •  4 mths ago
      Wow! What a punch in the gut, very sorry to hear about Epstein, why does life have to be so short?
      • Sunshine 4 mths ago
        I think we all wonder that at certain stages in our lives.... It just seems that a person could live to be 100 and it still doesn't seem to be enough time....
      • Proud 4 mths ago
        I feel ya GhettoRanger. This is a terrible loss from one of the best television sitcom shows of the 1970's.
    • craftsman dave  •  4 mths ago
      Juan cannot make it to school today, Signed, Epstein's Mother.
    • June D  •  Cicero, Illinois  •  4 mths ago
      Were'nt his excuse notes(in the show) from his mom signed Juan Epsteins Mother??LOL.
      Funny show Funny guy!
    • SO  •  Eugene, Oregon  •  4 mths ago
      I Loved Welcome back Kotter Rest in Peace Epstein and thank you for the laughs
    • jenny  •  Elmhurst, Illinois  •  4 mths ago
      Great memories from childhood. Rest in peace.
    • jackie gonzalez  •  Rockford, Illinois  •  4 mths ago
      Dear Mr. Kotter,
      Juan was not in class yesterday because he passed on.
      Signed,
      Epstein's mom

      30+ years later, and your signature catchphrase still makes us smile. Thanks for the memories.
      • Clee 4 mths ago
        Gee, that is very, very clever. RIP Epstein.
    • cwein96  •  Watervliet, New York  •  3 mths ago
      Please excuse Juan, he went to see the man upstairs, signed Epstein's mother!! RIP Mr. Hegyes!
    • Laurie H  •  San Diego, California  •  4 mths ago
      RIP Robert...what a funny guy.
    • watty  •  4 mths ago
      i am also 60... and up your nose with a rubber hose... will never be forgotten...
    • Big Ed  •  4 mths ago
      Godspeed Epstein, Rest In Peace...." signed Epsteins Mother" : )
    • doppelgänger  •  4 mths ago
      Juan wont be in school anymore. Signed, Epstein's mother.
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