Robert Hegyes, Epstein from ‘Welcome Back Kotter’, Dies

American actor, Robert Hegyes, most notable for his role as Juan Epstein on the seminal 1970's sitcom Welcome Back Kotter, is dead at age 60. Hegyes' character, Epstein, Incorporated a recurring tag line: "I got a note!" which would be read by Mr. Kotter, and was always signed: Epstein's Mother, excusing any absence or shortcoming. As one of four Sweathogs, including Freddie "Boom Boom" Washington (Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs), Arnold Horshack (Ron Palillo), and a young John Travola as Vinnie Barbarino. After Welcome Back Kotter, Hegyes had small roles in various films and television shows, often as some parody of the eponymous Epstein. Hegyes also taught writing, acting, and public speaking at Brooks College, in Long Beach, California, and had a stint as an artist in residence at his alma mater, Rowan University.