'Welcome Back, Kotter' star Horshack dead at 63
RIP Ron Palillo
'Welcome Back, Kotter' star Horshack dead at 63
Molly Eichel, Daily News Staff Writer
Ron Palillo, best known for playing Arnold Dingfelder Lutz Horshack in '70s sitcom "Welcome Back, Kotter," has died at the age of 63. His agent, Scott Stander, confirmed Palillo died of a heart attack in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
Horshack was known for his signature laugh and his "Oooo, oooo" calls to teacher Gabe Kotter (Gabe Kaplan) on the show that ran from 1975-79 and kick-started the career of John Travolta. Palillo's fellow "sweathog," Robert Hegyes (who played Juan Epstein), passed away in January.
Palillo never replicatd his '70s fame, but was active in Florida theater and taught at G-Star School of the Arts charter school.
TMZ reports that Palillo was found by his longtime partner, Joseph Gramm.
RIP. An icon from the days of REAL TV SHOWS.— phillygtown- RIP, Horshack. The Tonner was a big fan.
OOOOOOHHHHH! OOOOOOHHHHH! OOOOOOHHHHH!— DarnelX- "Oooh Oooh Oooh I know I know. Pick me Mr Kotter" as he was the only one raising his hand in class, haha. Simpler times.— The Baron
- OH OOHHH Oh OH oHHHH OOOOOOOhh oooOOOOHHHHhhhh yeah I had to get it in too.— road515
- Is Welcome Back Kotter cursed ?— newsy
- The Welcome Back Kotter curse continues, First Epstein, then Horshack, then Travolta's career. Whats next? Boom Boom?— neddyflanders
- the sweat hogs epitomized all that is wrong in public education, from the long hair to the disrespecting of mr woodman. those hooligans wouldnt have cut it in a charter school— the lopez!
- Aww.. sad to hear :(— Ashburn072
- Anyone who remembers who Mr. Woodman is epitomizes the main problem with American education: students who watch endless hours of television.— altoonaaslan
- Mrs. Kotter, yea that's the Good Stuff.— sillybilly
- Who?.......what?.......where?— bearsfriend
- Up your nose with a rubber hose as I do the legendary Barbarino chicken dance in tribute of Arnold/Ron.— The Baron
- Ron Palillo was a visionary. Taking what was probably one step away from the ugly sweat hogs who didn't get speaking parts, and then turning it into a character such as one Arnold Dingfelder Lutz Horshack. Good night funny man. Signed, Epstein's mother.— Lord Baltimore
