The actor who played Horshack on the classic TV show “Welcome Back, Kotter” has died.
Ron Palillo, who was one of the Sweathogs alongside John Travolta (Vinnie Barbarino) in the ’70s series, was 63. He died this morning of a heart attack at home in Palm Beach, Florida.
Horshack was the nerd of the Sweathogs and paved the way for future TV nerds like Screech. Horshack was known mostly for raising his hand and yelling out “Ooh! Ooh! Ooh!” All the Sweathogs had their signature moves. That was his and it was as recognizable as his mop of curly hair and nasally voice.
In his later years he took part in celebrity boxing where he fought his TV descendant Dustin “Screech” Diamond.