Who Knew? Robert Hegyes Was Almost Cast As Vinnie Barbarino on 'Welcome Back Kotter'

[Brian Damage]

Welcome back, Robert Hegyes.

The Metuchen native, who played Epstein on "Welcome Back, Kotter," is enjoying new acclaim as the show marks its 35th anniversary.

A reunion of the "Kotter" cast takes place 9 p.m. today on the TV Land Awards show on the TV Land cable channel.

"It was wonderful," said Hegyes of the reunion. "It's like seeing old college friends or family, and boom, you pick up right where you left off. That's the beauty of our friendship."

The cast appeared on ABC's "Good Morning America" on Monday in a segment that was taped backstage at the TV Land Awards, held April 10 at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City. "Kotter" — a comedy about a Brooklyn high school — also starred Gabe Kaplan as the irreverent teacher, and John Travolta, Lawrence-Hilton Jacobs and Ron Palillo as the students, known as the the Sweathogs.

"The country was coming out of the Vietnam War in '75, (President) Carter was coming in and we were facing an economic crisis with gas lines," said Hegyes, 59. "We had a country trying to find its identity again, and you looked at us, and you knew all four of these guys. They were from the same neighborhood as you."

The show was a ratings hit from 1975 to '79, and lines from "Kotter" became national phrases, such as Epstein's "I have a note from my mother."

Initially, Hegyes almost had the Barbarino lines.

"I auditioned for Barbarino," said Hegyes, who still has his Epstein denim vest with the Puerto Rican flag on the back. "I'm in the elevator and there's another kid and (producer) Alan Sacks and he says "How are you doing Epstein?' and I said "No, I'm Barbarino.' John (Travolta) said "I thought I was Barbarino,' and they went "you're Barbarino and you're Epstein!' "

Travolta is also a Jersey native, coming from Englewood. Palillo did not make the reunion as he's recovering from surgery.

Hegyes was born in Perth Amboy and grew up on Woodbridge Avenue in Metuchen, near the house where he now lives on the same avenue. He's of Hungarian and Italian descent — Jon Bon Jovi is a cousin — which is different from the Epstein character, who proudly proclaimed his Puerto Rican and Jewish ethnicity.

The 1969 Metuchen High School graduate played football and acted, too.

"Being in the theater program was a great way to meet girls, and being a football player was a great way for me to get out my rage," Hegyes said. "I was completely satisfied on both levels."

After "Kotter," Hegyes picked up plenty of work, including a featured role on the CBS crime drama "Cagney & Lacey."

Now, he's looking to give back and teach, and hopes to purchase the borough's Forum Theatre Arts Center. Hegyes is planning to line up backers, which would include the Middlesex County Cultural and Heritage Commission and the Metuchen Savings Bank, he said.

Peter Loewy, the owner of the theater, said via email that the Forum is not for sale.

"I'm retired, I'm getting my pension and I'm working on opening an arts center," said Hegyes, who moved back to Metuchen two years ago. "I walk down the street and it's a hello from everyone from the mailman to the dry cleaner. I'm so proud to be back."

http://www.mycentraljersey.com/artic...er-anniversary

[catlover79]

Yup, his Barbarino screen test is in the bonus features on the S1 DVD.

[Marvo301]

Can you imagine Robert Hegyes singing "Bar Bar Bar Bar Barbarino..."!!!

[catlover79]