WELCOME BACK KOTTER Star Ron Palillo Dies at Age 63

TMZ reports that WELCOME BACK, KOTTER star Ron Palillo died this morning at his home in Palm Beach, FL from an apparent heart attack. The news was revealed by a source close to the actor. The 63-year-old had recently been suffering from a bad cough.

The actor is best known for his role of Arnold Horshack on the Gabe Kaplan-led comedy series. His signature line, "Ooh ooh ooh, Mr. Kotter" endeared him to fans of the show which ran from 1975 - 1979. John Travolta co-starred with Palillo as one of the 'Sweathogs', a group of teen-aged delinquents who caused mischief in their high school.  

Palillo also appeared in "Laverne & Shirley" and was the voice behind the Disney cartoon character, "Darkwing Duck."  The actor's theater credits include the Off-Broadway production of Lanford Wilson's 'The Hot l Baltimore' as well as a tour of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', co-starring actor Mickey Rooney. He also appeared in productions of Guys and Dolls, Amadeus and Whose Afraid of Virginia Woolf?. Palillo authored 'The Lost Boy,' which was first staged at Nyack's Helen Hayes Theatre   in 2005.

Test and expand your Broadway knowledge with our new game - The Broadway Match-Up! How well do you know your Broadway casting trivia?	Play the Daily Game, explore current shows, and delve into past decades like the 2000s, 80s, and the Golden Age. Challenge your friends and see where you rank!
How well do you know your Tony Awards history? Take our never-ending quiz of nominations and winner history and challenge your friends.	Can you beat your friends? Play today’s daily Broadway word game, featuring a new theatrically inspired word or phrase every day!