Robert Hegyes 1951-2012
Robert Hegyes, who portrayed Epstein on the 1970’s sitcom Welcome Back Kotter, died on January 26, 2012. He was 60.
The actor suffered chest pains at his Metuchen, New Jersey home on Thursday and later died from an apparent heart attack at John F. Kennedy Medical Center in Edison, New Jersey.
Hegyes co-starred with Gabe Kaplan and John Travolta in the award-winning ABC comedy that ran four season, from 1975-1979. As Puerto Rican-Jewish character Juan Epstein, he never managed to finish his homework but always had a note from his mother with one zany excuse after another.
Another character, Arnold Horshack got back at Epstein in one case with his own note, “Please excuse Juan for being a sheephead. Signed, Epstein’s mother’s veterinarian.”
Following that run he appeared in more than thirty television shows, including Saturday Night Live, NewsRadio, The Drew Carey Show and The Streets of San Francisco.
The actor became Artist-In-Residence at his alma mater, Rowan University, teaching screenplay writing, acting and public speaking, and was also a guest lecturer. Due to failing health, he worked infrequently in recent years.
Three times divorced, he is survived by two children; Cassondra, 25, and Mac, 21.
Check out vintage video of the ‘Sweathogs Debate Team’ episode after the jump:
Photos: WENN