Robert Hegyes, Epstein of ‘Welcome Back Kotter’ Fame, Dead at 60
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Robert “Bobby” Hegyes, best known for playing Juan Epstein on “Welcome Back Kotter,” died in his Metuchen, N.J. home today.
He was 60.
Hegyes’ brother told New Jersey’s Star-Ledger that Hegyes, who also starred on “Cagney and Lacey,” had suffered a heart attack a few years ago and was in poor health.
Police responded to a call for assistance at his home this morning.
They found Hegyes suffering from chest pains; he was taken to a hospital in Edison, N. J., but by the time he reached the emergency room, he went into full cardiac arrest and died, a hospital spokesman told the paper.
Hegyes wrote in a note on his website that he modeled the character of the scheming half-Jewish, half-Puerto Rican Epstein on Chico Marx, noting that all the Marx Brothers were both “intellectuals” and “juvenile delinquents,” adding, “I could definitely relate.”
He continued to act after that show and “Cagney and Lacey,” appearing on “NewsRadio,” “Diagnosis Murder” and “The Drew Carey Show.”
He also appeared in the movie Bob Roberts opposite Tim Robbins, taught acting and wrote screenplays. He, along with almost all the original cast members of Welcome Back Kotter, reunited last year at the TV Land Awards to mark the show’s 35th anniversary.
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Hey, Epstein! You won’t need a note from your “mother” to get into heaven! RIP and thanks for the memories…
Posted by: Karen | January 26, 2012, 6:34 pm 6:34 pm
As a fan of Welcome Back Kotter, my condolences to Robert Heyges family, he was talented.
Posted by: Jorge | January 26, 2012, 7:04 pm 7:04 pm
Rest in Peace, Robert Hegyes, you will be missed.
Posted by: Diane | January 26, 2012, 7:24 pm 7:24 pm
So sad! RIP Robert Heyges. Thank you for all the wonderful laughs and memories. My deepest sympathy to his family and friends!
Posted by: Dee | January 26, 2012, 7:28 pm 7:28 pm
This is such sad news. I loved “Welcome Back, Kotter” and all the cast. To Mr. Heyges family and friends, my condolences.
Posted by: Cin0408 | January 26, 2012, 7:42 pm 7:42 pm
Great show.
Today’s kids have no clue what the 70′s were like, so– let them stay clueless
Posted by: Steve | January 26, 2012, 7:47 pm 7:47 pm
R.I.P. Epstein, you will be missed and I can’t believe you’re gone………signed Epstein’s Mother=’o(
Posted by: HollywoodDJ009 | January 26, 2012, 7:52 pm 7:52 pm
MANY LAUGHS & GREAT MEMORIES! BLESSINGS & PEACE OF MIND TO YOUR FAMILY!
Posted by: Wendy J Mann | January 26, 2012, 7:55 pm 7:55 pm
Rip
Posted by: Gpb | January 26, 2012, 7:56 pm 7:56 pm
Chico Marx was a Jew who played an Italian
Hegyes was an Italian who played a Jew
Posted by: Frank Provasek | January 26, 2012, 8:09 pm 8:09 pm
Up your nose with a rubber hose! (and I mean that most affectionately. RIP)
Posted by: Jasper E. | January 26, 2012, 8:13 pm 8:13 pm
Well said Karen!!!…he will be sadly missed…I will miss his laughter…thank goodness for dvd SETS(SMILE)…
Posted by: Katherine | January 26, 2012, 8:15 pm 8:15 pm
RIP Robert Hegyes – thanks for the laughs and memories. My condolences to The Hegyes Family.
Posted by: Alice | January 26, 2012, 8:17 pm 8:17 pm
Rest in Peace Robert “Juan Epstein” Heyges. You provided so much laughter and so many memories. My husband used to mimic “Juan” all of the time, he even looked like you in the day.
Posted by: Laaura Ayala | January 26, 2012, 8:21 pm 8:21 pm
Thank you for making lots of people laugh, Mr. Hegyes. Sympathy to the family.
Posted by: Kaylee | January 26, 2012, 8:23 pm 8:23 pm
Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
I’ll sure miss the guy
Who played a Puerto Rican Jew
Thanks for the laughs!
Posted by: SweatHog Fan | January 26, 2012, 8:27 pm 8:27 pm
Please pass on my sympathies to Robert’s family.
I knew him during my days on CAGNEY and LACEY, and was very fond of
‘Bobby.’ We laughed a lot together and his was always a welcoming smile
every time I recurred on the show as Cagney’s lover, David. Bobby had that
rare comic ability to turn on a dime from serious ‘blather’ to satiric send
up both of the exigencies of the entertainment industry and of himself as
well. His work was always charged with humor and intelligence. May his
memory always be a blessing to you, his fans and his friends.
Posted by: Stephen Macht | January 26, 2012, 8:59 pm 8:59 pm
This Wonderful Man will be sorely missed ! Paging- Mr. Kotta !
Posted by: Yankee57 | January 26, 2012, 9:04 pm 9:04 pm
General motors oboma took over and gmac there loan company was closed down and switch to alley bank there call center is out of this country thats keeping jobs in America oboma better idea
Posted by: bob buick | January 26, 2012, 9:21 pm 9:21 pm
Very sad news. Loved him in Welcome Back Kotter. May he RIP.
Posted by: Nilda | January 26, 2012, 10:19 pm 10:19 pm
It is so sad to start losing the icons of our youth. RIP Juan.
Posted by: Maria | January 27, 2012, 12:00 am 12:00 am
That really made me sad today.He was my favorite sweathog on “Welcome Back Kotter” when I was little.I remember watching that show like clockwork.
Posted by: Ken | January 27, 2012, 12:39 am 12:39 am
wadn’t he dead already!!? lord hav mercy!
Posted by: 100 year ol colored fella | January 27, 2012, 1:24 am 1:24 am
so sorry to hear….a dear friend Debralee Scott from the show is up the in heaven to welcome him….
condolences to his family and friends
Posted by: Carol | January 27, 2012, 1:30 am 1:30 am
Hey, Epstein! You won’t need a note from your “mother” to get into heaven! RIP and thanks for the memories…Could not of said it better. Amen Prayers and thoughts to his Family and Friends.
Posted by: Ursula | January 27, 2012, 7:43 am 7:43 am
Awe, sorry to hear this, my heart goes out for the family and friends. I was in my young teens when I watched this show and he used to always make me laugh so hard, I still watch Welcome Back Kotter when I see it on TV.
Posted by: jim | January 27, 2012, 7:49 am 7:49 am
RIP “Juan.” You made a lot of people laugh and smile. It was a very cool show and broke the sitcom mold to an extent.
Posted by: wildblue | January 27, 2012, 8:04 am 8:04 am
Despite how readily people may dismiss the “fluff” shows like “Welcome Back Kotter” they were shows that people watched because it could make them smile and still remember because of those memories. Thanks for your part in that, Mr. Hegyes, and rest in peace.
Posted by: MyTake | January 27, 2012, 9:42 am 9:42 am
Thank you for making me (a teenager of the time) show my children what humor really was without any vile antics that today passes as humor. Your Chico to Gabe’s Groucho was superb. May your family heal and in the words of another great human being, “Thanks for the Memories.” May you never be forgotten.
Posted by: Helen "Hinda" | January 27, 2012, 12:26 pm 12:26 pm
Bob, you used to keep us laughing in school. Make em laugh up there…..
Posted by: RandyW. | January 27, 2012, 2:53 pm 2:53 pm
What a bummer, he was a cool dude. My the Lord accept his soul into heaven, may he rest in peace.
Posted by: Will | February 16, 2012, 11:32 am 11:32 am