Robert Bruce Hegyes

 Robert Bruce Hegyes (May 7, 1951 – January 26, 2012)

He was best known for his role as Juan Epstein on Welcome Back, Kotter and as detective Manny Esposito on Cagney & Lacey. Within a year of graduating from college, Hegyes was cast to co-star in the highly acclaimed Off Broadway drama, Naomi Court. Hegyes was later cast by Tony Award- winning actor Len Cariou (making his directing debut) to co-star in the Broadway drama, Don't Call Back. While performing on Broadway, Hegyes auditioned for television producer James Komack and was cast to star in what was to become the award-winning series Welcome Back, Kotter. Hegyes became one of the show's directors at age 25. 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. 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. 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. Hegyes was also a California Certified Secondary Education teacher, but had worked infrequently in recent years.

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. 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. He was 60 years old.