R.I.P. Robert Hegyes (1951–2012) [PIC]

Sad day for those of us who grew up in the 1970's and remember Welcome Back Kotter. That was a huge show that launched the career of one Vinnie Barbarino, known to the rest of us as John Travolta. However, what people forget about that show are the other people who acted on the show, who were overshadowed by Travolta, when Saturday Night Fever came out.

One of them was Robert Heyges. Known on Welcome Back Kotter as Juan Epstein.  But that wasn't the end of his career...quite the contrary. One day, as my family was watching Cagney and Lacey, as we did most Wednesday evenings, I recall seeing him as a cast member, Det. Manny Esposito.

He was also seen after his second successful run on TV, in the movie Bob Roberts, but always found his home on the small screen with parts in TV shows like Diagnosis: Murder, LA Heat, Newsradio, Drew Carey Show, Saturday Night Live.

A little known factoid for the music buffs, Robert was a cousin of Mario Lanza.

Robert Hegyes passed away of a heart-attack at the age of 60.