I really didn't intent for my first post back after a week hiatus (whether intentional or not) to be an obit of sorts. Maybe I should have led off with the latest Random Pic of the Day instead. But it is what it is. I still have to make sure to pay a little respect to some of my favorite pop culture folks when I hear the news of their passing.
Robert Hegyes, the actor best known for playing Jewish Puerto Rican student Juan Epstein on the 1970s TV show "Welcome Back Kotter" passed away after suffering a cardiac arrest last Thursday. He was 60-years-old.
I may have been too young to remember "Welcome Back Kotter" when it ran in primetime. Even if I did watch it then I'm sure I wouldn't have understood a lot of the humor. It wasn't until its run in later years in syndication that I would fully appreciate it. It was only a matter of time before that theme song became permanently ingrained in my mind.
But for anyone that watched even a single episode of the show, who doesn't remember Epstein? Even though John Travolta would go on to undoubtedly be the most famous Sweathog every single one of them was unforgettable. So much so that when I heard the news that Juan Epstein had died, I knew exactly who they were talking about. In fact, it was better that it was relayed that way because if I had just heard Robet Hegyes I would have had no idea who that was.
Robert was one of those actors where it didn't matter what else they did they would be forever be typecast. I couldn't even tell you if he had any other work except for "Kotter". If he didn't it wouldn't matter because the impression he left from that was lasting enough.
Rest in peace, Epstein.
