RIP Robert "Epstein" Hegyes, former Kotter sweathog - 60

[Lightnin' Rod]

Did Epstien have a catchphrase?  Anyway, RIP

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2012/01/sweathog-actor-robert-hegyes-of-welcome-back-kotter-dies-at-60.html

ETA:  Oops, i before e except after c (or in Epstein).

[Lightnin' Rod]

Did Epstien have a catchphrase?

Now I remember, he had a running gag involving notes from home, like...

Dear Mr. Kotter --

Juan Luis Pedro Phillipo de Huevos Epstein could not come to school today because he was dead.

Signed,
Epstein's Mother.

"Phillip de Huevos", heh.

[Alicat]

Hard to grasp he was 60. Are the other sweathogs all still alive?

[Lightnin' Rod]

Pulp Fiction spoof:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJaKDNuKMsk&feature=share

[Tinka Cat]

Dear Mr. Kotter --

Juan Luis Pedro Phillipo de Huevos Epstein could not come to school today because he was dead.

Signed,
Epstein's Mother.

"Phillip de Huevos", heh.

Ha!  that quote made me LOL...  ah, the internets...

[Wayback]

Hard to grasp he was 60. Are the other sweathogs all still alive?

Yes, other actors are alive who played Arnold Horshack, Freddie 'Boom Boom' Washington, Vinnie Barbarino (Travolta, of course), and Mr & Mrs Kotter, but actress Debralee Scott, who played Rosalie 'Hotsie Totsie,' died in 2005. 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welcome_Back,_Kotter

BTW, Hegyes (Epstein) was a few years ahead of me at the same college:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/28/arts/television/robert-hegyes-60-of-welcome-back-kotter-is-dead.html

Clip from last year, cast reunion on 'Good Morning America'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25GcBSNn44o