Who’s Still Alive From ‘Welcome Back, Kotter’?
It is hard to believe that Welcome Back, Kotter, the hit ABC sitcom that debuted on September 9, 1975, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The series ran from 1975 to 1979 and followed Gabe Kotter (Gabe Kaplan), a former “Sweathog” who returned to his Brooklyn high school to teach a lovable group of underachievers that included Vinnie Barbarino (John Travolta), Freddie “Boom Boom” Washington (Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs), Juan Epstein (Robert Hegyes) and Arnold Horshack (Ron Palilo). The show’s mix of humor and touching moments made it one of the most popular comedies of the ’70s and launched the careers of several cast members — but which of them are still with us?
Gabe Kaplan (80)
Gabe Kotter
Everett Collection; Bryan Bedder/Getty Images
Kaplan portrayed the quick-witted, mustachioed teacher who returned to his old Brooklyn high school to teach a new generation of Sweathogs — but it was more than just a role. Kaplan co-created the show, which was partially based on a comedy routine about his own life.
After the show, Kaplan shifted gears into a career as a professional poker player and commentator. He competed in major events like the World Series of Poker, making several final tables, and later lent his voice to televised poker shows such as High Stakes Poker. He also returned to acting in a few projects in the 2000s, including The Grand and voicing a character in BoJack Horseman.
John Travolta (71)
Vinnie “Barbarino” Barbarino
Everett Collection; Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
Of course, Travolta went on to become the most famous of the bunch. After the show ended, Travolta became an A-list movie star with hits like Saturday Night Fever and Grease to his name throughout the late ’70s and early ’80s. After a career slowdown, he revitalized his career with his starring role in 1994’s Pulp Fiction, which got him a Best Actor Academy Award nomination. He’s been working steadily ever since.
In April 2024, he and Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs reunited on the red carpet at the TCM Classic Film Festival to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Pulp Fiction. In 2025, he starred in the film High Rollers and doesn’t appear to be slowing down as he has five projects in the works, according to IMDb.
Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs (71)
Freddie “Boom Boom” Washington
Everett Collection; Anna Webber/Getty Images for Samira’s Network
Hilton-Jacobs brought smooth charisma to Freddie “Boom Boom” Washington, the classically cool Sweathog with athletic flair. Since the show ended, he has maintained a steady career, appearing in Roots, portraying Joe Jackson in The Jacksons: An American Dream and more recently starring in A House Divided. He has also voiced characters in The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder.
Stephen Shortridge (73)
Beauregard “Beau” De LaBarre
Everett Collection
Introduced in the final season as a Southern replacement for Barbarino, Shortridge brought charm and a fresh dynamic to the Sweathogs. After his stint on the show, he continued acting in television, showing up on shows including Fantasy Island, The Bold and the Beautiful and several soap operas, before retiring in the late 1980s to focus on painting and writing. He now lives in Idaho and has published a book titled Deepest Thanks, Deeper Apologies.
In Memoriam
Everett Collection
Robert Hegyes (Juan Epstein) died on January 26, 2012, at age 60 from a heart attack.
Everett Collection
Ron Palillo (Arnold Horshack) died on August 14, 2012, at age 63 from a heart attack.
Everett Collection
Marcia Strassman (Julie Kotter) died on October 24, 2014, aged 66, from breast cancer.
Everett Collection
John Sylvester White (Vice Principal Michael Woodman) died on September 11, 1988, aged 68, from pancreatic cancer.
Everett Collection
Debralee Scott (Rosalie “Hotsie” Totsie) died on April 5, 2005, at age 52.
If you’re interested in reliving the antics of the Sweathogs, you can find episodes of Welcome Back, Kotter available for digital purchase on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV; DVD collections can still be found through various retailers for those who prefer a physical copy.
Remind 
1970s Fall TV
September 2023
Take a trip back to the ’70s by looking at the TV Guide Magazine Fall Preview primetime lineups.
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