Ron Palillo, ‘Horshack,’ from ‘Welcome Back Kotter’ Dead at 63

By On 08/14/2012 · 8 Comments · In American Idol

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This is a little off-topic, but if have great memories of watching Welcome Back Kotter when I was a teen. Ron Palillo who played Horshack died of a heart attack.

Actor Ron Palillo, who played class clown Arnold Horshack on the 1970s television comedy “Welcome Back, Kotter,” has died at age 63, his agent said Tuesday.

Palillo died of a heart attack in the Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, area, where he had moved to live near his mother and was active in the theater, his agent, Scott Stander, told CNN.

He was best known for his role as one of the “Sweathogs” — remedial students at a Brooklyn high school — on the 1975-79 show, which starred Gabe Kaplan and launched the career of fellow Sweathog John Travolta. Palillo’s “Oooh! Oooh!” appeals for attention became the character’s catchphrase.

RIP Ron.

VIA CNN

 
  • Anonymous

    He was one of the few actors who never felt the need to “come out” as gay, he was just never “In” the closet. I admire that about him. His partner is the one who found him after his heart attack. :’(

  • Anonymous

    One of my mom’s favorite shows when she was a teen. I became a fan watching reruns on TV. So sad. May he RIP.

  • mmb

    I have a vivid memory of doing an Arnold Horseshack paint-by-numbers on a rainy afternoon!  I loved that show.  Amazing that he and his partner were together for 41 years. Sad.

  • Incipit

    Sorry to read this. Just recently, Robert Hegyes, who played Juan Epstein on the same show, died of a heart attack at 60.
    I have fond memories of many chuckles at that show, watching with my kids. Ron’s character, Horshack, was well played and fun to watch. RIP  

  • Anonymous

    I used to do the oooh, oooh, oooh thing. Annoyed the hell out of my mom. He was my favorite sweathog. Rip Ron!

  • milwlovesadam

    RIP. Loved me some Kotter back in the day. 

  • Niall

    Thanks for this thread, mj. I have fond memories of Welcome Back Kotter. To this day when the theme song gets played on my local oldies station it makes me smile. It’s sad that the actors behind Horshack AND Juan Epstein have passed on.

  • Niall

    Thanks for this thread, mj. I have fond memories of Welcome Back Kotter. To this day when the theme song gets played on my local oldies station it makes me smile. It’s sad that the actors behind Horshack AND Juan Epstein have passed on.