Robert Bruce Hegyes (pronounced Hedyesh; May 7, 1951 – January 26, 2012) was an American actor best known for his portrayal of high school student Juan Epstein on the 1970s American sitcomWelcome Back, Kotter and as detective Manny Esposito on the 1980s American crime dramaCagney & Lacey. He was the cousin of rock musician Jon Bon Jovi.
Hegyes was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, to a Hungarian-American father, Stephen, and an Italian-American mother, Marie Dominica Cocozza. Hegyes was the oldest of four siblings (Mark, Stephanie, and Elizabeth).
He grew up in Metuchen, New Jersey, and began acting in high school in the mid-1960s under the guidance of Metuchen High School theater teacher, Barton Shepard.[2] Hegyes attended Glassboro State College after graduating from high school. While there, he worked part-time at the Hardee's fast food restaurant in town. Upon graduation from Glassboro State College (now Rowan University) where he completed his student teaching requirement at Haddon Township High School, with a Bachelor of Arts in Speech/Theater and Secondary Education, Hegyes ventured to New York City to pursue a career in acting and soon became a member of a Greenwich Village children's theater group called "Theater in a Trunk," performing educational theater at U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt's birthplace, on East 20th Street. Hegyes continued performing in the Village in educational children's theater, this time as a puppeteer with an arm and rod puppet company, playing Mr. Toad in The Wind in the Willows. Robert managed to work a third performing job in Washington Square Park and at the Provincetown Playhouse as a member of the political improvisational guerrilla troupe, "Jack LaRumpa's Flying Drum & Kazoo Band."
Career
Hegyes in Welcome Back, Kotter, 1976
Within a year of graduating from college, Hegyes was cast to co-star in the highly acclaimed Off BroadwaydramaNaomi Court, starring actor Brad Davis (star of Midnight Express). After completing the successful Manhattan Theater Club engagement, Hegyes was cast by Tony Award- winning actor Len Cariou (making his directing debut) to co-star in the Broadway drama, Don't Call Back, starring Arlene Francis and Dorian Harewood. While performing on Broadway, Hegyes auditioned for television producerJames Komack and was cast to star in what was to become the award-winning ABCcomedy, Welcome Back, Kotter. Hegyes portrayed the character of Juan Luis Pedro Felipo de Huevos Epstein (typically referred to as simply "Epstein"). The show lasted four seasons, from 1975 to 1979. Hegyes became one of the show's directors at age 25.
While on the show, he was the key force of the winning tug-of-war team on the 1976 edition of Battle of the Network Stars.[3]
Hegyes made his Los Angeles stage debut as "Chico Marx" in the Westwood and national touring company engagements of An Evening with Groucho. Upon returning from the tour, Hegyes was cast by producer Barney Rosenzweig to star as a series regular portraying undercover detective "Manny Esposito" in Cagney & Lacey. During this time he also appeared on the game show Pyramid from time to time, and on Match Game.
Hegyes became "Artist-in-Residence" at his alma mater, Rowan University, teaching screenplay writing, acting for camera and public speaking, and was a guest lecturer in the Radio/Television/Film & Theater Departments. He was an adjunct instructor at Brooks College in Long Beach, California, where he taught essay writing and public speaking. Hegyes was a California Certified Secondary Education teacher, but had worked infrequently in recent years.[citation needed]
Having returned to live in his hometown of Metuchen, New Jersey in 2009, Hegyes made his last public appearance in early January 2012, reprising his "An Evening with Groucho" role as Chico Marx, this time in three performances of "The Marx Brothers: Flywheel, Shyster and Flywheel," a staged radio play re-creating several episodes of the early-1930s broadcasts.
Personal life
Hegyes was married to Mary Kunes (1973–1977). He then married Kyle Drummer (1979–1984). With his third wife Lynn O'Hare (1987–1993), he had two children, Cassondra (Cassie) (born 1987) and Mack (born 1991). Hegyes was in a long-term relationship with Cynthia Wylie (1994–2007), who brought two children to the relationship, Alex (born 1988) and Sophia (born 1991)[4][5][6][7] He was the cousin of rock singer Jon Bon Jovi and opera singer Mario Lanza.[8]
robert, hegyes, robert, bruce, hegyes, pronounced, hedyesh, 1951, january, 2012, american, actor, best, known, portrayal, high, school, student, juan, epstein, 1970s, american, sitcom, welcome, back, kotter, detective, manny, esposito, 1980s, american, crime, . Robert Bruce Hegyes pronounced Hedyesh May 7 1951 January 26 2012 was an American actor best known for his portrayal of high school student Juan Epstein on the 1970s American sitcom Welcome Back Kotter and as detective Manny Esposito on the 1980s American crime drama Cagney amp Lacey He was the cousin of rock musician Jon Bon Jovi Robert HegyesRobert Hegyes in October 2008BornRobert Bruce Hegyes 1951 05 07 May 7 1951Perth Amboy New Jersey U S DiedJanuary 26 2012 2012 01 26 aged 60 Edison New Jersey U S 1 OccupationActorYears active1975 2012Spouse s Mary Kunes m 1973 div 1977 wbr Kyle Drummer m 1979 div 1984 wbr Lynn O Hare m 1987 div 1993 wbr PartnerCynthia Wylie 1994 2007 Children4RelativesJon Bon Jovi cousin Contents 1 Early life 2 Career 3 Personal life 3 1 Death 4 Filmography 4 1 Film 4 2 Television 5 References 6 External linksEarly life EditHegyes was born in Perth Amboy New Jersey to a Hungarian American father Stephen and an Italian American mother Marie Dominica Cocozza Hegyes was the oldest of four siblings Mark Stephanie and Elizabeth He grew up in Metuchen New Jersey and began acting in high school in the mid 1960s under the guidance of Metuchen High School theater teacher Barton Shepard 2 Hegyes attended Glassboro State College after graduating from high school While there he worked part time at the Hardee s fast food restaurant in town Upon graduation from Glassboro State College now Rowan University where he completed his student teaching requirement at Haddon Township High School with a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Theater and Secondary Education Hegyes ventured to New York City to pursue a career in acting and soon became a member of a Greenwich Village children s theater group called Theater in a Trunk performing educational theater at U S President Theodore Roosevelt s birthplace on East 20th Street Hegyes continued performing in the Village in educational children s theater this time as a puppeteer with an arm and rod puppet company playing Mr Toad in The Wind in the Willows Robert managed to work a third performing job in Washington Square Park and at the Provincetown Playhouse as a member of the political improvisational guerrilla troupe Jack LaRumpa s Flying Drum amp Kazoo Band Career Edit Hegyes in Welcome Back Kotter 1976 Within a year of graduating from college Hegyes was cast to co star in the highly acclaimed Off Broadway drama Naomi Court starring actor Brad Davis star of Midnight Express After completing the successful Manhattan Theater Club engagement Hegyes was cast by Tony Award winning actor Len Cariou making his directing debut to co star in the Broadway drama Don t Call Back starring Arlene Francis and Dorian Harewood While performing on Broadway Hegyes auditioned for television producer James Komack and was cast to star in what was to become the award winning ABC comedy Welcome Back Kotter Hegyes portrayed the character of Juan Luis Pedro Felipo de Huevos Epstein typically referred to as simply Epstein The show lasted four seasons from 1975 to 1979 Hegyes became one of the show s directors at age 25 While on the show he was the key force of the winning tug of war team on the 1976 edition of Battle of the Network Stars 3 Hegyes guest starred in more than thirty television shows including Saturday Night Live NewsRadio Diagnosis Murder The Drew Carey Show and The Streets of San Francisco He also appeared in the award winning Volkswagen Passat commercial The Chase for director Kinka Usher Hegyes appeared in Honeymoon Hotel Underground Aces Bob Roberts The Purpose and Bar Hopping Hegyes made his Los Angeles stage debut as Chico Marx in the Westwood and national touring company engagements of An Evening with Groucho Upon returning from the tour Hegyes was cast by producer Barney Rosenzweig to star as a series regular portraying undercover detective Manny Esposito in Cagney amp Lacey During this time he also appeared on the game show Pyramid from time to time and on Match Game Hegyes became Artist in Residence at his alma mater Rowan University teaching screenplay writing acting for camera and public speaking and was a guest lecturer in the Radio Television Film amp Theater Departments He was an adjunct instructor at Brooks College in Long Beach California where he taught essay writing and public speaking Hegyes was a California Certified Secondary Education teacher but had worked infrequently in recent years citation needed Having returned to live in his hometown of Metuchen New Jersey in 2009 Hegyes made his last public appearance in early January 2012 reprising his An Evening with Groucho role as Chico Marx this time in three performances of The Marx Brothers Flywheel Shyster and Flywheel a staged radio play re creating several episodes of the early 1930s broadcasts Personal life EditHegyes was married to Mary Kunes 1973 1977 He then married Kyle Drummer 1979 1984 With his third wife Lynn O Hare 1987 1993 he had two children Cassondra Cassie born 1987 and Mack born 1991 Hegyes was in a long term relationship with Cynthia Wylie 1994 2007 who brought two children to the relationship Alex born 1988 and Sophia born 1991 4 5 6 7 He was the cousin of rock singer Jon Bon Jovi and opera singer Mario Lanza 8 Death Edit On January 26 2012 after suffering from chest pains at his home in Metuchen New Jersey Hegyes died from an apparent heart attack at John F Kennedy Medical Center in Edison New Jersey at age 60 1 Filmography EditFilm Edit Year Title Role Notes Ref1981 Underground Aces Tico Directed by Robert ButlerTelevision Edit Year Title Role Notes Ref1975 1979 Welcome Back Kotter Juan Luis Pedro Phillipo de Huevos Epstein Contract role1975 The Streets of San Francisco Richard Richie Martino Episode School of Fear S 4 Ep 5 1976 Tattletales Himself Episode March 15 1976 S 3 Ep 29 Match Game 76 Himself Episode MG76 31 S 4 Ep 31 Cos Himself Episode Night Club Bay City Rollers S 1 Ep 5 The 20 000 Pyramid Himself Episodes Rita Moreno amp Robert Hegyes S 4 Ep 39 44 Anita Gillette amp Robert Hegyes S 4 Ep 50 55 1977 The Brady Bunch Hour Himself Episode Episode 6 S 1 Ep 7 The 20 000 Pyramid Himself Episodes Kate Jackson amp Robert Hegyes S 5 Ep 39 44 Loretta Swit amp Robert Hegyes S 5 Ep 48 53 The Love Boat Danny Episode The Joker is Mild First Time Out Take My Granddaughter Please S 1 Ep 6 1978 Chico and the Man Zoltan Episode Raul Runs Away part 2 S 4 Ep 14 1981 Lewis amp Clark Georgie Episode The Uptight End S 1 Ep 5 1983 CHiPs Sweets Episode Fox Trap S 6 Ep 16 1986 1988 Cagney amp Lacey Detective Manny Esposito Contract role1988 The 25 000 Pyramid Himself Episode Anne Marie Johnson amp Robert Hegyes 1997 Mr Rhodes Juan Luis Pedro Phillipo de Huevos Epstein Episode The Welcome Back Show S 1 Ep15 1998 The Drew Carey Show Himself Episode What s Wrong with This Episode S 3 Ep 22 Diagnosis Murder Mr Wolf Episode Murder x 4 S 6 Ep 10 Newsradio Sal Credited as Al Episode Who s the Boss Pt 2 S 4 Ep13 1999 L A Heat Joe Goldfield Episode Rap Sheet S 1 Ep 10 2001 Black Scorpion Speedbump Epispde Home Sweet Homeless S 1 Ep 4 2004 Living in TV Land Himself Episode Dick Van Patten S 1 Ep 1 2007 TV Land Confidential Himself Episode Oddballs and Original Characters S 2 Ep 1 The Singing Bee Himself Episode Episode 117 S 1 Ep 17 References Edit a b Kenneally Tim 26 January 2012 Welcome Back Kotter star Robert Hegyes dies at 60 TheWrap Archived from the original on 30 January 2012 Retrieved 10 January 2022 via MSN Entertainment About Robert Hegyes Cinema Without Borders Archived from the original on 17 October 2007 Retrieved 30 September 2007 Video on YouTube Santo Michael 26 January 2012 Robert Hegyes of Welcome Back Kotter dies at 60 Huliq Kenneally Tim 27 January 2012 Welcome Back Kotter Star Robert Hegyes Dies at 60 Reuters Letter from Robert Hegyes 2000 Robert Hegyes Fan Club Archived from the original on 2001 07 21 Retrieved 2012 01 29 Robert Hegyes biography IMDb Report Welcome Back Kotter Star Dead At 60 KCAL News 26 January 2012 Retrieved 31 May 2019 External links Edit Biography portal New Jersey portal Film portal Television portal Theatre portalRobert Hegyes at IMDb Robert Hegyes at the Internet Off Broadway Database Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Robert Hegyes amp oldid 1123976484, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
