Robert Hegyes who played Juan Epstein in the 70s hit TV series ‘Welcome Back Kotter’ has died at the age of 60.
Welcome Back Kotter cast (Robert Hegyes second left)
Hegyes suffered a heart attack at his home in Metuchen, New Jersey.
Hegyes played Epstein in Welcome Back Kotter from 1975 to 1979. The show was John Travolta’s first role. Comedian Gabe Kaplan played their school-teacher Mr Kotter.
Robert Hegyes was a cousin of Jon Bon Jovi.
After Kotter he had guest roles in shows such as ‘NewsRadio’, ‘Diagnosis Murder’ and ‘The Streets Of San Francisco’ and then scored a semi-regular role in ‘Cagney and Lacey’ as Manny Esposito.
Robert was suffering chest pains at his home at 9am on Thursday and was rushed to nearby John F. Kennedy Medical Center in Edison, New Jersey where he passed away at 9:40am.
Heyges was married three times. He leaves behind two children and a two step children.
