Robert Hegyes, who starred alongside John Travolta on the popular ‘70s sitcom Welcome Back, Kotter, has died after apparently suffering a heart attack. According to reports, a 911 call was placed from the star’s Metuchen, New Jersey home around 9 a.m. Thursday after he complained of chest pains. Hegyes was transported to JFK Medical Center in Edison where he passed away. His brother, Mark Hegyes, told The Star-Ledger Hegyes suffered a heart attack in recent years and had been in bad health. The actor was 60.
Hegyes got his start on the Off Broadway drama Naomi Court. After appearing in the Broadway drama Don’t Call Back, he landed the role of Juan Epstein on Welcome Back, Kotter. He starred alongside Travolta and Gabe Kaplan from the show’s start in 1975 to its end four years later. Hegyes also had a starring role on Cagney & Lacy. He later guest starred on more than 30 TV shows, including NewsRadio, The Drew Carey Show and Diagnosis Murder. Hegyes’s film credits include Honeymoon Hotel and The Purpose.
Hegyes is survived by two children and two step-children.
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