Welcome Back, Kotter cast and character guide: Who plays whom in the American sitcom?

Welcome Back, Kotter is a classic American series that aired on ABC from 1975 to 1979. It followed a teacher, Gabe Kotter, who returned to teach at the school he had graduated from ten years ago: the James Buchanan High School in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, New York City. Not only does he return to teach, but he returns to teach a class called Sweathogs, made up of remedial students. Interestingly, back in the day, Gabe was a remedial student as well and was the founder of the Sweathogs.

The show ran for four seasons and starred actors who went on to have successful careers. Here's a complete guide to the cast of Welcome Back, Kotter.

Welcome Back, Kotter cast and character

Welcome Back, Kotter starred Gabe Kaplan as Gabe Kotter, a witty teacher who returned to his old high school to mentor the notorious remedial class known as the Sweathogs. Because Kotter himself had once been a member of that same group, he understood their struggles, potential more deeply than anyone else.

Marcia Strassman started as Julie Kotter, Gabe's wife, who often wished her husband would focus more on family life, though she eventually found her own place at the school as both a secretary and a substitute teacher. John Sylvester White starred as Michael Woodman, the grumpy Vice-Principal who initially despised the Sweathogs but slowly grew to tolerate them.

The Sweathogs were played by John Travolta, Ron Palillo, Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, and Robert Hegyes. Travolta played Vinnie Barbarino, the brash and good-looking leader of the Sweathogs who loved attention but often ended up in some trouble or another. This was Travolta's first major role that made him popular, after which he went on to star in Grease and other projects that made him the star he is today.

Palillo played Arnold Horshack, the funny member of the class whose unusual laugh and innocent outlook made him both lovable and unpredictable. Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs played Freddie Washington, the smooth-talking athlete who often acted as the group’s voice of reason. Robert Hegyes played Juan Epstein, a street-tough student of mixed Puerto Rican and Jewish heritage, known for his humour, quick temper, and infamous excuse notes that he claimed were signed by his mother but weren't.

Other recurring cast members included Debralee Scott as Rosalie Totsie, whose reputation was more rumour than reality. Helaine Lembeck played Judy Borden, the high-achieving student and newspaper editor who even tutored and briefly dated Vinnie. In the final season, Stephen Shortridge starred as Beau De LaBarre. Additionally, Vernee Watson starred as Verna Jean Williams, Susan Lanier as Bambi, Charles Fleischer as Carvelli, Bob Harcum as Murray, Dennis Bowen as Todd Ludlow, Irene Arranga as Mary Johnson, and Melonie Haller as Angie Grabowski.

Welcome Back, Kotter was created by Gabe Kaplan and Alan Sacks and developed by Peter Meyerson. The show was produced by The Komack Company, Wolper Productions, and Warner Bros. Television. It was filmed in front of a live audience and was known for having a racially diverse cast, not seen in many shows of that time.

Welcome Back, Kotter is streaming on Apple TV+ and Prime Video.

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