Ron Palillo (left) with John Travolta. ‘Welcome Back, Kotter,’ 1977.

Sad to hear that actor Ron Palillo, best known for playing Arnold Horshack on TV’s Welcome Back, Kotter, has died today at the age of 63. According to CNN, Palillo died of a heart attack in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

If you’re a child of the 1970s, or simply a fan of classic sitcoms, you probably enjoyed Palillo’s Horshack character and well remember his “Ooh, ooh, ooh, Mr. Kotter!” exhortations while raising his hand to be called upon and that distinctive “Hyun, hyun hyun” laugh. Thanks for the good times and entertainment, Mr. Palillo!

Fellow actor and “Sweathog,” Robert Hegyes, passed away in January of this year.

CNN Quote:

“Palillo died of a heart attack in the Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, area, where he had moved to live near his mother and was active in the theater, his agent, Scott Stander, told CNN.

He was best known for his role as one of the ‘Sweathogs’ — remedial students at a Brooklyn high school — on the 1975-79 show, which starred Gabe Kaplan and launched the career of fellow Sweathog John Travolta.”

Welcome Back, Kotter Wiki, IMDb