Robert-Hegyes-Obituary

Robert Hegyes

Obituary

METUCHEN, N.J. (AP) - Robert Hegyes, the actor best known for playing Jewish Puerto Rican student Juan Epstein on the 1970s TV show "Welcome Back Kotter" has died. He was 60.

The Flynn & Son Funeral Home in Fords, N.J., said it was informed of Hegyes' death Thursday by the actor's family.

A spokesman at JFK Medical Center in Edison, N.J., told the Star-Ledger newspaper that Hegyes, of Metuchen, arrived at the hospital Thursday morning in full cardiac arrest and died.

Hegyes was appearing on Broadway in 1975 when he auditioned for "Kotter," a TV series about a teacher who returns to the inner-city New York school of his youth to teach a group of irreverent remedial students nicknamed the "Sweathogs." They included the character Vinnie Barbarino, played by John Travolta.

The show's theme song, performed by John Sebastian, became a pop hit.

Hegyes also appeared on many other TV series, including "Cagney & Lacey."

He wa s born in Perth Amboy and grew up in Metuchen, the eldest child of a Hungarian father and Italian mother.

He attended Rowan University, formerly Glassboro State College, in southern New Jersey, before heading to New York City after graduation. He returned to Rowan on several occasions to teach master classes in acting, a university spokesman said Thursday.

"He was a good friend to the university," spokesman Joe Cardona said.

Hegyes continued to act after "Kotter" and was a regular on "Cagney & Lacey." He also guest-starred in shows including "Diagnosis Murder" and "The Drew Carey Show."

On his website, Hegyes wrote that he was inspired by Chico Marx, whom he had played in a touring production of a show about the Marx Bros. He also recalled how his mother encouraged him to get involved in theater as a teen.


Copyright © 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

Robert “Juan”..sitting here watching Welcome Back Kotter as I do every day i just wanted to leave some words for you.your energy and funny sense of humor brings me so much joy. I wish you were still hereWelcome back.

You are missed. Your talents were many. Your humor, great looks and comical charm....will always be remembered
Love you always.

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Robert you were such a good person !
You sat down with Me to eat lunch a couple of times in Westwood Village , while I was working there in NY Pizza in 1981
Great times trading NJ stories .
You are forever missed R.I.P.
Tom Savino

You are sadly missed♥. Loved your character on Welcome Back Kotter♥ Rest In Peace Angel♥

Before he was a sweat hog he was a "Bulldog"
An MHS alum.

I watch ''Cagney & Lacey.'' And I watch him on others shows
Also. I always adore HIM, I'm so sorry to hear about his Passing.
It really sadness me to know this about this about this about such
A Sweet Kind person Like Robert He will Be Miss by many of his Fans
many more!

Love, Joanne Albanese

Today I heard the song from WBK show for Applebee's commercial and it brought back memories when I watched the show in the 70's. Robert was one of my favorite artists on that show and loved his afro.
RIP Robert aka Juan Epstien Hegyes. "Sweathog"

Loved your acting and always had the red bandana...RIP.....