Monday, February 4, 2013
Monday, February 4, 2013

'Welcome Back, Kotter' star Horshack dead at 63

RIP Ron Palillo

18
comments
email

'Welcome Back, Kotter' star Horshack dead at 63

POSTED: Tuesday, August 14, 2012, 2:01 PM
Molly Eichel, Daily News Staff Writer
Ron Palillo poses for photographers at the American Museum of the Moving Image Salute to John Travolta Sunday, Dec. 5, 2004 at New York's Waldorf-Astoria. Palillo played "Arnold Horshack" in the television sitcom "Welcome Back, Kotter", where Travolta made his television debut as "Vinnie Barbarino" in 1975. (AP Photo/Tina Fineberg)

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.

18
comments
email
Previous Story: 'The Closer' chalks up one last win for TNT
Next Story: See Chad Johnson get released by Dolphins
Comments  (18)
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:39 PM, 08/14/2012
    RIP. An icon from the days of REAL TV SHOWS.
    — phillygtown
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:42 PM, 08/14/2012
    RIP, Horshack. The Tonner was a big fan.
    — hunglikeaton
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:58 PM, 08/14/2012
    OOOOOOHHHHH! OOOOOOHHHHH! OOOOOOHHHHH!
    — DarnelX
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:10 PM, 08/14/2012
    "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
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:28 PM, 08/14/2012
    OH OOHHH Oh OH oHHHH OOOOOOOhh oooOOOOHHHHhhhh yeah I had to get it in too.
    — road515
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:11 PM, 08/14/2012
    Is Welcome Back Kotter cursed ?
    — newsy
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:14 PM, 08/14/2012
    The Welcome Back Kotter curse continues, First Epstein, then Horshack, then Travolta's career. Whats next? Boom Boom?
    — neddyflanders
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:21 PM, 08/14/2012
    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!
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:21 PM, 08/14/2012
    Aww.. sad to hear :(
    — Ashburn072
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:32 PM, 08/14/2012
    Anyone who remembers who Mr. Woodman is epitomizes the main problem with American education: students who watch endless hours of television.
    — altoonaaslan
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:10 PM, 08/14/2012
    Mrs. Kotter, yea that's the Good Stuff.
    — sillybilly
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:54 PM, 08/14/2012
    .
    .
    .
    .
    I used to watch that show and I don't know why.
    — Redwoodser
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:57 PM, 08/14/2012
    Who?.......what?.......where?
    — bearsfriend
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:50 PM, 08/14/2012
    Up your nose with a rubber hose as I do the legendary Barbarino chicken dance in tribute of Arnold/Ron.
    — The Baron
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:00 PM, 08/14/2012
    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


| View All Comments | View All By Latest
View comments: 1  |  2
Popular Posts
 
A compilation of the most memorable '30 Rock' quotes
 
‘30 Rock’ goes out with gags blazing
 
Bucks native Steve Capus exiting as NBC News chief
 
‘Downton Arby’s’: Masterpiece meets fast food
 
Who’s that lady? It's Steven Tyler on 'Idol'
 
'House of Cards': My Netflix binge
 
Philly's 'Do No Harm' off to a shaky start
 
TV tonight: Meet MTV's new crazies in 'Buckwild'
 
Women in combat? 'The Daily Show' weighs in
 
Starz to end its hit 'Spartacus' after 2013 season
About this blog
Our Television blog is your go-to guide for everything that’s happening on TV: updates on your favorite actors and programs, reviews, ratings, rumors and some of the sharpest opinions on the web.

David Hiltbrand Inquirer Columnist
Ellen Gray Daily News TV Critic
Molly Eichel Daily News Staff Writer
Advertise Here
Search this blog:
Blog archives:
February
January
Past Archives: