Robert Hegyes
1951 - 2012
Dear Mr. Kotter,
Please excuse Juan Luis Pedro Philippo DeHuevos Epstein for the remainder of this lifetime. You see, I am sorry to report that my Juan passed away today at John F. Kennedy Medical Center in New Jersey, the victim of an apparent heart attack.
Juan was always a good boy and became interested in theater at an early age. His first big break came when he landed a role in the off-Broadway play, Naomi Court, which lead to work ON Broadway.
Of course most people remember my Juan for his role as a sweathog on the 1975-79 ABC series, Welcome Back Kotter. His father and I were so proud of him for landing that role. You should have seen the two of us and Juan's 10 siblings,all crowding around our little black and white teevee in our two-room Brooklyn tenement when the show aired Thursday nights at 8:00 on ABC.
Well, after Kotter faded from the airwaves, my Juan went on to numerous television appearances; too many to go into now, and frankly too much to think about under the circumstances.
I hope you enjoyed having Juan in your class. He always spoke so highly of you and Julie. Thank you for the positive influence you had on my Juan.
Sincerely,
Epstein's mother (Mrs. Bibbermann)
Robert Hegyes also holds the honor of being the first Random Celebrity Update to ever appear here at Hey Joe. Yes, he leaves quite a legacy indeed. And while it's already appeared as a theme song Thursday, I think it's appropriate that we replay it today in honor of Robert.
Godspeed, dear sweathog.
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