'Welcome Back, Kotter': Robert Hegyes' 'Epstein' helped alter TV

(AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File) FILE – In this 1978 file photo, Robert Hegyes portrays Juan Epstein from the comedy series "Welcome Back Kotter." The actor best known for playing the Jewish Puerto Rican student on the 1970s TV show has died. He was 60.

"Welcome Back, Kotter" television star Robert Hegyes died Thursday, giving millions of Americans pause to reflect back in time to 1975, when Epstein, Vinnie Barbarino and the other "Sweathogs" ruled. The plot for "Welcome Back, Kotter" might sound a

Actor Robert Hegyes, one of the stars of the 70s sitcom "Welcome Back Kotter" died today of an apparent heart attack.Hegyes was best known for his role as…

Actor Robert Hegyes, one of the stars of the 70s sitcom "Welcome Back Kotter" died today of an apparent heart attack.Hegyes was best known for his role as…

Oddly and bizarrely the old TV sitcom Welcome Back Kotter brings to mind similarities of Germany's old Nuremburg laws, and the Kobach inspired new immigration laws in Alabama and Arizona. If television were reality (check that, television is reality)