WELCOME BACK KOTTER Star Ron Palillo Dies at Age 63

TMZ reports that WELCOME BACK, KOTTER star Ron Palillo died this morning at his home in Palm Beach, FL from an apparent heart attack. The news was revealed by a source close to the actor. The 63-year-old had recently been suffering from a bad cough.

The actor is best known for his role of Arnold Horshack on the Gabe Kaplan-led comedy series. His signature line, "Ooh ooh ooh, Mr. Kotter" endeared him to fans of the show which ran from 1975 - 1979. John Travolta co-starred with Palillo as one of the 'Sweathogs', a group of teen-aged delinquents who caused mischief in their high school.  

Palillo also appeared in "Laverne & Shirley" and was the voice behind the Disney cartoon character, "Darkwing Duck."  The actor's theater credits include the Off-Broadway production of Lanford Wilson's 'The Hot l Baltimore' as well as a tour of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', co-starring actor Mickey Rooney. He also appeared in productions of Guys and Dolls, Amadeus and Whose Afraid of Virginia Woolf?. Palillo authored 'The Lost Boy,' which was first staged at Nyack's Helen Hayes Theatre   in 2005.