Robert Hegyes Dead: 'Welcome Back Kotter' Actor Dies At 60: 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, and 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," his brother said, "but last week he said, 'I'm not going to
do that anymore.'" Hegyes is survived by three siblings, two children and
two step-children.
