Ron Palillo (1949 - 2012) - Horshack from Welcome Back, Kotter
08-14-12, 12:07 PM
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Ron Palillo (1949 - 2012) - Horshack from Welcome Back, Kotter
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Ron Palillo -- the actor who played Horshack on "Welcome Back, Kotter" -- died this morning at his home near Palm Beach, FL from an apparent heart attack ... this according to someone close to the actor.
We're told Palillo was found by his partner of many years Joseph Gramm around 4:00 AM. Gramm called an ambulance and Palillo was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
We're told the heart attack was very unexpected. Palillo was 63.
According to one of Palillo's colleagues at G-Star School of the Arts, Palillo had appeared to be in good health ... but was a heavy smoker. We're told he had been suffering from a bad cough and had even scheduled a doctor's appointment for today.
Palillo was known for calling out, "Ooh ooh ooh, Mr. Kotter" as one of the Sweathogs on the show ... which he appeared on with John Travolta from 1975 to 1979.
After Kotter, Palillo appeared in "Laverne & Shirley" and voiced a character on the Disney cartoon, "Darkwing Duck."
Palillo's "Kotter" co-star Robert Hegyes -- who played Epstein -- also passed away earlier this year after suffering a heart attack.
We're told Palillo was found by his partner of many years Joseph Gramm around 4:00 AM. Gramm called an ambulance and Palillo was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
We're told the heart attack was very unexpected. Palillo was 63.
According to one of Palillo's colleagues at G-Star School of the Arts, Palillo had appeared to be in good health ... but was a heavy smoker. We're told he had been suffering from a bad cough and had even scheduled a doctor's appointment for today.
Palillo was known for calling out, "Ooh ooh ooh, Mr. Kotter" as one of the Sweathogs on the show ... which he appeared on with John Travolta from 1975 to 1979.
After Kotter, Palillo appeared in "Laverne & Shirley" and voiced a character on the Disney cartoon, "Darkwing Duck."
Palillo's "Kotter" co-star Robert Hegyes -- who played Epstein -- also passed away earlier this year after suffering a heart attack.
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08-14-12, 05:10 PM
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Re: Ron Palillo (1949 - 2012) - Horshack from Welcome Back, Kotter
Dying at 63 is ordinary?
As opposed to the normal expected ones.
RIP Horshack.
Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs is probably feeling a bit antsy right now.
We're told the heart attack was very unexpected.
RIP Horshack.
Robert Hegyes -- who played Epstein -- also passed away earlier this year after suffering a heart attack.
08-14-12, 05:17 PM
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Re: Ron Palillo (1949 - 2012) - Horshack from Welcome Back, Kotter
Yet Kaplan is alive and well and probably at some poker table as we speak. He is not much older than Horshack.
08-14-12, 06:21 PM
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08-14-12, 07:55 PM
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Re: Ron Palillo (1949 - 2012) - Horshack from Welcome Back, Kotter
What? He was a 30 year old actor playing a high school student? Whowouldafigured.
08-15-12, 09:28 AM
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Re: Ron Palillo (1949 - 2012) - Horshack from Welcome Back, Kotter
From what I remember, the only actor even close to high school age was John Travolta, who was around 23-years old at the time. LOL. No wonder they pulled the plug on the show after a few years - they were not "passing" for high schoolers anymore. They couldn't even pass for college students!
08-15-12, 09:51 AM
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Re: Ron Palillo (1949 - 2012) - Horshack from Welcome Back, Kotter
I always remembered him (apart from Kotter) from the beginning of Friday the 13th part 6. I always felt bad for him because Tommy brought him out there to die. Ha. RIP
08-15-12, 10:28 AM
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Re: Ron Palillo (1949 - 2012) - Horshack from Welcome Back, Kotter
From what I remember, the only actor even close to high school age was John Travolta, who was around 23-years old at the time. LOL. No wonder they pulled the plug on the show after a few years - they were not "passing" for high schoolers anymore. They couldn't even pass for college students!
08-15-12, 11:47 AM
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Re: Ron Palillo (1949 - 2012) - Horshack from Welcome Back, Kotter
08-15-12, 03:05 PM
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08-15-12, 04:21 PM
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Re: Ron Palillo (1949 - 2012) - Horshack from Welcome Back, Kotter
Anybody remember the episode when Horshack had a drinking problem? Good stuff.
08-15-12, 04:55 PM
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08-15-12, 04:59 PM
#18
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Re: Ron Palillo (1949 - 2012) - Horshack from Welcome Back, Kotter
Is Mr. Woodman still alive?
08-15-12, 07:35 PM
#19
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Re: Ron Palillo (1949 - 2012) - Horshack from Welcome Back, Kotter
What I really wanna know is how a guy who could barely keep from tripping over his own self could climb up to Kotter's window every day. Maybe it was his intense desire to hear more "My Uncle So-and-So" jokes.
