Welcome Back, Kotter
Summary
Welcome Back , Kotteris considerably remembered as one of thedefining situation comedy of the seventies , but what has its cast been doing since the show went off the atmosphere ? Airing for four time of year from 1975 to 1979 , the comedy series captured the zeitgeist of that complicated era and transcended its genre by actually experience something to say about the state of interior - metropolis schools at the time . screaming and poignant in adequate measure , the series was relatively suddenly - live by sitcom banner , but it had a massive impact on popular culture . Its success was due in expectant part to its memorable cast , some of whom went on to become bona fide star topology .
The personality of theWelcome Back , Kottercast was put on full show in every episode , and it stomach out from most other situation comedy because of its unfeigned whole step and over - the - top humor . Usually considered one of John Travolta ’s breakout part , it was a launching pad for the young doer ’s career , and he was n’t the only roll member to determine success because ofWelcome Back , Kotter . Though it was n’t without its controversial element , the serial publication was a time abridgment to the decade it was made , and catchphrases like " up your nose with a rubber hose " became permanent fixtures in pop polish .
Sitcoms are one of the most pop data formatting of TV appearance , and the in force sitcom of all sentence showcase on the button why they stay to command .
Gabe Kaplan
As Gabe Kotter
stand up - up comic Gabe Kaplan was redact in the titular role as the affable and understanding Gabe Kotter , and he often used his level presence when learn the Sweathogs at James Buchanan High . receive Back , Kotterwas launched as a vehicle for the funnyman , and he appear in nearly every instalment over its four - season streak . However , he was missing for most of the final time of year of the show as Kaplan was having contract bridge difference with the connection .
Caplan ’s filmography was rather abbreviated , but he did realm star roles in films like the TV movieGroucho ( 1982 ) , which allow him to represent his idol fromthe Marx Brothers flick . Kaplan was most lately pick up lending his voice to an instalment of the irreverent morose comedy seriesBoJack Horsemanin 2018.Caplan also made a name for himself in the world of poker , becoming considered one of the good players in the world and do as a commentator for several telecast tournament .
Marcia Strassman
As Julie Kotter
The long - put up wife of Gabe Kotter , Julie Cotter was brought to life by Marcia Strassman , and she absolutely embodied the character ’s loving nature that was balanced by her wishing that Gabe would take thing more gravely . She is also chafe by the fact that Gabe allows his scholarly person to show up at their apartment unheralded , which leads to an episode where the couple actually dissever up briefly . finally , Julie worked at the school as a secretary and then as a substitute teacher .
Strassman was no stranger to goggle box beforeWBK , and she had previously had stints onThe Patty Duke ShowandMASH.Afterward , she continued to work mostly in TV but down a starring part in the Disney film seriesHoney , I shrivel up the Kidsstarring Rick Moranisin the ' 80s and ' 90s . Strassman retain to work upuntil 2014 whenshe pass away suddenly at the age of 66 .
John Sylvester White
As Michael Woodman
The importance of agreat sitcom villainis underrated andWelcome Back , Kottercharacters like John Sylvester White ’s Vice Principal Michael Woodman were what made the show classic . While not downright villainous , Vice Principal Woodman was clearly the adversary of the serial publication , and White excelled at showing the character ’s contempt for the Sweathogs and Kotter . He butts head with Kotter about his irregular plan of attack to teaching , while he also becomes the butt of many prank from the Sweathogs .
John Sylvester White had a abbreviated career in show business with flake character in shows likeKojackbeforeWelcome Back , Kotter . He was also well known for execute the theatrical role of Keith Barron on the liquid ecstasy operaSearch for Tomorrow . He also made sporadic Edgar Albert Guest appearances on shows likeKojackandBaretta . He was also married to Joan Alexander for a time who was the part of Lois Lane on the radio receiver version of " The Adventures of Superman" . White died in 1988 at the age of 68 .
John Travolta
As Vincent “Vinnie” Barbarino
The brash and arrogant Vinnie Barbarino was the use that made Travolta famous , and he was the most successful penis of the cast ofWelcome Back , Kotterby far . Barbarino ’s swaggering attitude and catchphrases made him a popular grapheme , with him being the heartthrob of the schooling as well as the drawing card of the Sweathogs . However , Barbarino was also black - witted and childish when he was not the center of attending .
Ron Palillo
As Arnold Dingfelder Horshack
Tapped to diddle the socio-economic class merry andrew of the Sweathogs , Ron Palillo made a splashing as the lovable goofball Arnold Dingfelder Horshack . He fit nicely into the typical oddball situation comedy character theatrical role with his strange observance making for some of the most memorable moments in the serial . Despite his bizarre behavior , he is one of the overbold members of the Sweathogs when it come in to school assignment , though he feels out of place with the other students .
Welcome Back , Kotterwas Palillo ’s first role , and he was initially have in mind to asterisk in his own spinoff serial publication ( as Horshack ) that never came to realisation . He followed the show up with a slew of guest smear on show likeThe Love BoatandCHiPswhere he would mostly bring other oddball graphic symbol throughout the ' 80s . Palillo worked frequently in flick and TV , includingFriday the 13th Part VI : Jason life , but returned to the field of operations later in his life and made only small cameo appearances in sitcoms likeEllen . Palillo passed away at the age of 63 in 2012 .
Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs
As Freddie “Boom Boom” Washington
One of the smartest Sweathogs , Freddie " Boom Boom " Washington went along with his classmate ' joke but tried to be the voice of reason when he could . He even manages to take over as loss leader of the Sweathogs for a metre but they grow tired of his bossy ways and restore Vinny . Washington is also one of the schooling ’s whiz athletes with his position on the basketball team .
Lawrence Hilton - Jacobs was brilliantly cast in the purpose of Washington , and many of the histrion ’s trenchant and hilarious mannerism made the lineament pop . Welcome Back , Kotterwas his first major part , and Hilton - Jacobs found equal success in movies and video withparts in serial likeRootsin 1977 andL.A. Heatin 1989 . Hilton - Jacobs was a constant presence on TV all throughout the ' 00s and ' 10s , and even supply a voice for the 2022 cartoon seriesThe Proud Family : Louder and Prouder .
Robert Hegyes
As Juan Luis Epstein
The safe sitcom are those with divers persona who bring something unlike to the tabular array , and Juan Epstein was perhaps the unique member of the mold ofWelcome Back , Kotter . Epstein was the tough guy wire of the Sweathogs , and he was ferociously gallant of his Puerto Rican and Jewish heritage . His small stature never affected his ability to be intimidating , though he could still be whacky and appealing like the rest of the crew .
AfterWelcome Back , Kotter , Hegyes made sporadic appearance on TV , including play detective Manny Esposito on the eighties American criminal offense dramaCagney & Lacey . He also appeared as himself on biz shows and largely stuck to stage work . Hegyes ' last onscreen appearance came in a 2007 episode ofThe Singing Bee , and he would laterpass away in 2012 at the age of 60 .
Debralee Scott
As Rosalie “Hotsie” Totsie
A popular quality during the show ’s first season , Debralee Scott played Rosalie " Hotsie " Totsie , a female child at James Buchanan High who was popular with the boys in the Sweathogs . She is the daughter of a strict man of the cloth , which is partly the crusade of her rebellious and sluttish behavior , even if that reputation is revealed to be largely exaggerated .
Scott had antecedently appear in the George Lucas - directed filmAmerican Graffitiin 1973 and continued to play small purpose in movies and video throughout the ' LXX and ' eighty . She had left Welcome Back , Kotter in season 1 after score a part on the Norman Lear sitcomMary Hartman , Mary Hartman . Scott appeared in two of thePolice Academyfilms in the mid-80s before slowly transition to work behind the scenes . Scott passed away at the age of 52 in 2005 .
Stephen Shortridge
As Beauregard “Beau” De LaBarre
Introduced as a transposition for Vinnie Barbarino during the show ’s final time of year , Beauregard " Beau " De LaBerre introduced a moment of southerly magical spell to the cast ofWelcome Back , Kotter . With John Travolta ’s Barbarino allow the serial , the show search to determine a raw heartthrob character while also bring in in a persona who was unlike from the New York City characters of the show .
Actor Stephen Shortridge play the part fitly grandiose to match his fellow Sweathogs , and he did what he could to salve a show on its last legs . Shortridge work almost alone in goggle box over his abbreviated career on show likeThe Love BoatandFantasy Island , and he made his final onscreen appearance in the 1989 movieSay Anything . Stephen Shortridge departed show byplay after 1989 to prosecute other esthetic endeavors as a painter .
Custom Image by Colin McCormick
