- Robert Hegyes
Infobox actor
imagesize = 150px
name = Robert Hegyes
birthdate = birth date and age|1951|5|7
birthplace =Perth Amboy, New Jersey Robert Hegyes (born
May 7 ,1951 ) is an American actor, perhaps best known for his portrayal of Epstein in the 1970s television series "Welcome Back, Kotter ".Biography
Early life
Hegyes was born in
Perth Amboy, New Jersey , to his Hungarian-American father, Stephen, and his Italian-American mother, Marie Dominica Cocozza. Hegyes is one of four children (Dr. Mark Hegyes, MD., Stephanie Hegyes and Elizabeth Hegyes-Cocozza). He is the cousin of singerJon Bon Jovi . Always interested in theater, Hegyes began acting in high school in the mid-1960s under the guidance ofMetuchen High School Theater teacher, Dr. Barton Shepard, Ph.D. [ [http://www.cinemawithoutborders.com/authors/?authorID=22 About Robert Hegyes] , Cinema Without Borders. AccessedSeptember 30 ,2007 . "Mr. Hegyes was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey and began studying acting in earnest at Metuchen High in the mid 1960s."] Upon graduation from Glassboro State College (nowRowan University ), with a B.A. in Speech/Theater & Secondary Education, Hegyes ventured into New York City to pursue a career in acting and soon became a member of aGreenwich Village children's theater group called, "Theater in a Trunk," performing educational theater at US President Teddy Roosevelt's birth place, on East 13 Street. Hegyes continued performing in the Village in educational children's theater, this time as apuppeteer with an arm and rod puppet company, playing "Mr. Toad," in, "The Wind & the Willows." Robert managed to work a third performing job in Washington Square Park and at theProvincetown Playhouse as a member of the political improvisational gurerilla troupe, "Jack LaRumpa's Flying Drum & Kazoo Band."Career
Within a year of graduating from college, Hegyes was cast to co-star in the highly acclaimed Off-Broadway
drama , "Naomi Court", starring actorBrad Davis ("Midnight Express"). After completing the successfulManhattan Theater Club engagement, Robert was cast byTony Award - winning actorLen Cariou (making his directing debut) to co-star in the Broadway drama, "Don't Call Back", starringArlene Francis andDorian Harewood . While performing on Broadway, Hegyes auditioned fortelevision producer James Komack and was cast to star in what was to become the award-winning ABCcomedy , "Welcome Back, Kotter ". The show lasted four seasons, from 1975-'79. At the age of 25, Hegyes became one of the show's directors.Hegyes has guest starred in more than 30 episodic television shows, including, "
Saturday Night Live ", withQuentin Tarantino , "NewsRadio ", "Diagnosis Murder ", withDick Van Dyke , "The Drew Carey Show " (in an April Fools' episode where the character, "Oswald," was "recast" for a brief scene with Hegyes playing the role) and "Streets of San Francisco ", withMichael Douglas . He also starred in the award-winningPassat commercial, "The Chase ," for director Kinka Usher. Hegyes has starred in the following films: "Honeymoon Hotel ", with Jane Kasmerek, "Underground Aces", withMelanie Griffith , "Bob Roberts ", withTim Robbins , "The Purpose", withMia Farrow , and "Bar Hopping ", with "Weeds" starKevin Nealon .Robert made his
Los Angeles stage debut to rave notices as, "Chico Marx ," in the Westwood and National Touring Company engagements of, "An Evening with Groucho". Upon returning from the tour, Robert was cast by Producer Barney Rosenswieg to star as a series regular portraying undercover detective, "Manny Esposito," in theEmmy Award -winning drama, "Cagney & Lacey ", starringTyne Daly andSharon Gless .Hegyes became, "Artist-In-Residence," at his alma mater, Rowan University, teaching
screenplay writing,acting for camera andpublic speaking . He continues to guest lecture in the Radio/Television/Film & Theater Departments. He was also an adjunct instructor atBrooks College , inLong Beach, California , where he taught essay writing and public speaking. Hegyes is a California CertifiedSecondary Education teacher, and has worked regularly over the past several years, employed with the LAUSD at Venice High School, inVenice, California .Robert has been a resident in Venice, California, for over a decade, and is partnered in creating with writer/producer
USC alum, Craig Titley, ("Cheaper by the Dozen ", "Scooby-Doo ") for the groundbreaking Internet series, "The Venice Walk", at http://www.thevenicewalk.com, the series' exclusive website and http://www.myspace.com/thevenicewalk the series'MySpace profile. The series revolves around a VeniceJuvenile Probation officer (Hegyes) and his seven delinquent Venice High School students. Robert has also authored seven screenplays, most notably, "At The Movies " and "The Lost Marx Brothers Movie," for producer Warren Zide, who produced the final two movies of the "American Pie " trilogy and "Final Destination ".Personal life
*Boyfriend to Cynthia Wylie (1994 to 2007), raised four children together: Cassondra 1987, Alexa 1988, Sophia 1991, Mac 1991.
*Married to Lynn O'Hare (1987 to 1993) two children Cassondra 1987, Mac 1991.
*Married to Kyle Drummer (1979 to 1984) no children.
*Married to Mary Kunes (1973 to 1977) no children.References
External links
*imdb name|name=Robert Hegyes|id=0373811
* [http://www.thevenicewalk.com Original Internet Series Website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/thevenicewalk Series MySpace Profile]
* [http://www.facebook.com/s.php?q=Robert+Hegyes&init=q Hegyes Facebook]
* [http://www.linkedin.com/in/roberthegyes Hegyes Linkedin]
* [http://www.thedailyreel.com/users/site-members/roberthegyes/]
* [http://roberthegyes.stumbleupon.com/about/]
* [http://www.classmates.com/profile/index.html?regId=8681850205&viewSelfProfile=yes&profileType=viewSelf&site=]
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