The ‘70s had its share of popular sitcoms echoing daily life, Welcome Back, Kotter easily fits into that category. The series focuses on a teacher's return to his old high school — James Buchanan High School. His connection to a group of struggling students, otherwise known as The Sweathogs, creates comedic situations that interfere with his private life.
The series would prove to be a hit during its first season but subsequent seasons saw ratings decline. Still, it remains a rerun favorite on various networks and streaming services. Read on to find out where the main cast is today and what they’ve been up to since graduating from the comedy series.
Gabe Kaplan (Gabe Kotter)
Gabe Kaplan starred as the teacher, and show namesake, Gabe Kotter. He developed his comedy skills as a stand-up comedian over the decade before the series's debut in 1975. After Kotter, he starred in the early ‘80s series Lewis & Clark; the short-lived series took Kaplan out of the classroom as a man who moves his family to Texas.
Kaplan mostly withdrew from acting after the ‘80s but did voice Abe Ziegler on Bojack Horseman. The actor turned to a new interest, playing and covering poker. He appeared on ESPN during the 2002 World Series of Poker, years later the comedian would himself finish in the top 3 at a World Poker Tour event. Kaplan additionally wrote 2007’s Kotter's Back: E-mails from a Faded Celebrity to a Bewildered World.
Marcia Strassman (Julie Kotter)
Marcia Strassman played Gabe Kotter’s understanding wife Julie on Welcome Back, Kotter. The actress gained attention years before thanks to her performance as Hawkeye’s love interest Margie Cutler on MASH. After Kotter, she would appear in numerous series including Murder She Wrote, Magnum P.I., Providence, and Tremors.
Children of the ‘80s will also recognize Strassman from Disney’s Honey, I Shrunk the Kids and its sequel Honey, I Blew Up the Kid. Her last on-screen role was Opal in the 2014 film Looking for Mr Right. Sadly, the actress passed away in 2014; the 66-year-old star’s cause of death was attributed to breast cancer.
John Travolta (Vinnie Barbarino)
John Travolta launched into A-List status after appearing on Welcome Back, Kotter. During the series run, he would star in hits like Saturday Night Fever and Grease. The ‘80s saw him lead Staying Alive — a sequel to Saturday Night Fever directed by Sylvester Stallone. He would also delve into comedy once again thanks to Look Who’s Talking.
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Travolta’s career underwent a major revival thanks to Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction. The actor is also well-known for his love of aviation, being a trained pilot for decades. Travolta regularly shows off flights on his official Instagram account.
Ron Palillo (Arnold Horshack)
Ron Palillo pursued voice acting after his star turn as Horshack; the actor lent his voice to animated series including Mork & Mindy/Laverne & Shirley/Fonz Hour and Rubik, the Amazing Cube. His onscreen appearances ventured far from the confines of sitcoms — one of his most notable roles came in the slasher Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives.
Aside from film and TV, Palillo ventured into the world of live theater as well as teaching, leading acting classes at West Palm Beach’s G-Star School of the Arts. The actor died in 2012 after suffering a heart attack.
Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs (Freddie Washington)
Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs got his start in film, appearing in 1974’s Claudine, Death Wish, and The Gambler, before starring as Boom Boom Washington. His most memorable role outside the sitcom came in 1992, with the actor portraying Jackson family patriarch Joe Jackson in The Jacksons: An American Dream.
Recent credits for Hilton-Jacobs include Cocaine Roach; this modern horror film sees drug buyers confront formidable roaches. The actor can also be heard on two episodes of The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder.
Robert Hegyes (Juan Epstein)
Robert Hegyes’ character Epstein became known to audiences thanks to his constant, and very unbelievable, excuse notes. The actor would go on to appear on various series like Diagnosis Murder, The Drew Carey Show, Newsradio, Cagney & Lacey, and CHiPs. Hegyes went behind the camera to direct an episode of Welcome Back, Kotter and went on to helm the film E. Nick: A Legend in His Own Mind. He taught in Los Angeles before moving to New Jersey, passing away several years later in 2012.
John Sylvester White (Michael Woodman)
John Sylvester White was well into his career when he starred as Vice-Principal Michael Woodman. Until the role, he was most closely associated with Search for Tomorrow. The soap opera cast him as Keitn Barron and gave the character a prominent storyline spanning over 40 episodes.
White’s career was short after Kotter ended, seeing him appear in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Mama’s Family. His last role would be in E. Nick: A Legend in His Own Mind, directed by former Kotter co-star Robert Hegyes. John Sylvester White was 68 years old when he died in 1988.
Debralee Scott (Rosalie Totsie)
Debralee Scott may be more recognizable for her appearances in Police Academy and Police Academy 3: Back in Training. The comedies were some of her last onscreen roles, with 1989’s Misplaced being her final film. Scott would then transition to a position away from the acting field, finding another job in the entertainment industry. She died in 2005.
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Helaine Lembeck (Judy Borden)
Helaine Lembeck was featured on 1977’s Magic Mongo and The Krofft Supershow before appearing on Welcome Back, Kotter. After the series, Lembeck would have roles on Charlie’s Angels, Simon & Simon, and Dynasty — most recently appearing on 2019’s Sneaky Pete.
The actress comes from a famous family. Her father Harvey taught comedic acting to stars including Robin Willaims and John Ritter. She’s gone on to work at Los Angeles’ The Harvey Lembeck Comedy Workshop.
Stephen Shortridge (Beauregarde De LaBarre)
Stephen Shortridge appeared in various series after his time on Welcome Back, Kotter. The actor’s credits list a host of popular series like Matt Houston, Fantasy Island, and St. Elsewhere. Soap Opera fans will recognize him from the long-running series The Bold and the Beautiful.
His time in front of the camera ended with the 1989 film Say Anything. Shortidge instead pursued his love of the arts, focusing on painting. He also authored 2011’s Deepest Thanks, Deeper Apologies.
