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1985 "Days" guest Robert Hegyes passes away; "Welcome Back, Kotter" star was 60
Topic Started: Jan 26 2012, 10:31 PM (1,086 Views)
Jason47
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Robert Hegyes, who played Juan Epstein on the 1970's sitcom "Welcome Back, Kotter," died Thursday, January 26, 2012. Hegyes, who died of an apparent heart attack after suffering chest pains at his Metuchen, New Jersey home, was 60. Hegyes had not been in good health for the past two years, his brother Mark Hegyes said. The actor had suffered a previous heart attack in recent years. Police responded to an emergency call from Hegyes' home at approximately 9 a.m. He was transported to JFK Medical Center in Edison, New Jersey, but at that point he had gone into full cardiac arrest.

On "Days of Our Lives", Hegyes appeared in four episodes in 1985 as Bernardo, a Viper gangmember and friend to Pete Jannings. In the storyline, Bernardo was originally hired to burn down the restaurant Shenanigans but later turned good. He ended up being killed trying to protect Pete.

Though Hegyes also starred on the detective series "Cagney & Lacey" (as Det. Manny Esposito) and, in later years, guest-starred on shows such as "NewsRadio" and "Diagnosis Murder," Hegyes was best-known for his role as Juan Epstein -- full name: Juan Luis Pedro Phillipo de Huevos Epstein -- on 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, Epstein stood out among a group of characters that included the super-cocky womanizer Vinnie Barabarino (played by a young John Travolta) and hip but beleaguered high-school teacher Gabe Kotter (played by Gabe Kaplan).

Hegyes' last acting role was in the film "Hip, Edgy, Sexy, Cool" in 2002. He also appeared with most of the original "Kotter" cast members for a reunion at the TV Land Awards in 2011, as a commemoration for the series' 35th anniversary. The actor, born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, leaves behind a two children, Cassie and Mack, and two step-children, Sophia and Alex.
Edited by Jason47, Jan 26 2012, 10:31 PM.
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Liz<3Days
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Oh no...LOVED Welcome Back, Kotter...Juan Epstein....his line about being a Puerto Rican Jew= LOL

RIP
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AHM


Yeah, I think he was my favorite of the Welcome Back, Kotter crew. I didn't see his Days appearances.
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Dany_E
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Sorry to hear this. I loved all the kids on Kotter. I was partial to Horschack though.
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AHM


^Yeah, Horschack was a kick. He was a bit crossing the line into caricature though. Epstein was a little more real, so I think that's why he edges out Horschack for me. :)
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Days4Life


Juan Epstein was my favorite of the Kotter kids. Loved all the notes/excuses he would bring to Mr. Kotter signed "Epstein's Mother". We've always had a running joke in my house about that....whenever I feel my family isn't being treated right at work or school, I will threaten to send a note.
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