RIP Juan Epstein

[java]

Robert Hegyes, the Jersey-born actor who played Jewish Puerto Rican wheeler-dealer Juan Luis Pedro Phillipo de Huevos Epstein on the 1970s classic "Welcome Back Kotter," died from an apparent heart attack after suffering chest pains at his Metuchen home this morning. He was 60.
Hegyes, who also co-starred on "Cagney and Lacey" and taught occasional master classes at his alma mater, Rowan University, was best known for his work on "Kotter," in which he performed alongside a young John Travolta as one of the tough remedial students known at the Sweathogs. Hegyes and nearly all of the original cast members reunited last year at the TV Land Awards to recognize the show's 35th anniversary.

full story here
http://www.nj.com/entertainment/celebrities/index.ssf/2012/01/robert_hegyes_juan_epstein_of.html

 

[powellrj]

I saw that this morning on Yahoo, wow, I didn't know he was 60 already!

 

[diz8297]

Dear God: Please accept Juan's early entry into heaven. Friends on earth smile remembering him. Signed, Epstein's mother

 

[dngnb8]

Dear God: Please accept Juan's early entry into heaven. Friends on earth smile remembering him. Signed, Epstein's mother

I was going to do the same thing. Classics never die, but Juan Luis Pedro Felipo de Huevos Epstein did. RIP

 

[FINFAN]

oh that is a shame. I saw the reunion and he still had that twinkle in his eye. RIP, heaven allows Sweathog's.

 

[ForAandA]

One of my favorite shows. So sad

 

[focusondisney]

Dear God: Please accept Juan's early entry into heaven. Friends on earth smile remembering him. Signed, Epstein's mother

Beautifully said..


I was also a fan of the show. Sad & scary to see people only a few years older than DH & I starting to pass away.

 

[joviroxx]

I was going to do the same thing. Classics never die, but Juan Luis Pedro Felipo de Huevos Epstein did. RIP

Signed, Epstein's mother...

 

[Pakey]

Juan Epstein was my favorite Sweathog. I can't believe he was 60; I know I grew old but not the Sweathogs!

 

[mamajoan]

I am sure heaven is enjoying the addition of Mr. Hedges- I hope he gets to meet Chico Marx soon upon his arrival

The notes from Epstein's mother are perfection!

Robert Hegyes ,Epstein, was my absolute favorite on Kotter.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Dear God: Please accept Juan's early entry into heaven. Friends on earth smile remembering him. Signed, Epstein's mother

I really enjoyed him on the show. I remember seeing him at UCLA one day back in the late 70s. I assumed he was going to school there.

RIP

Nicely said, diz8297

 

[Kimbysmom]

I was a child of the eighties, but I loved watching reruns of Welcome Back Kotter. This saddens me so much .

 

[JessicaR]

So very sad. I loved his humor so much!

 

[Missy1961]

Dear God: Please accept Juan's early entry into heaven. Friends on earth smile remembering him. Signed, Epstein's mother

A perfect tribute.

 

[low-key]

I watched a speical about Welcome back Kotter and when they were casting they thought he would be the heart throb not John Travolta. Anyway its sad, I always thought Horshack would die first

 

[Cantw8]

he had a sexy chest

 

[sjs314]

Beautifully said..


I was also a fan of the show. Sad & scary to see people only a few years older than DH & I starting to pass away.

My thought exactly when I heard about his passing. When did we all get so old.

RIP Juan

 

[low-key]

he had a sexy chest

thats a shirt , do you have some of them x rays glasses you get in the back of comic books

 

[Cantw8]

thats a shirt , do you have some of them x rays glasses you get in the back of comic books

NO, but I have other pictures

 

[low-key]

NO, but I have other pictures

I like his helmet , just kidding, the 70,s was a great time, I feel bad for him and his family