Whatever Happened to Mr. K and the Sweathogs?
Before <a href='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/john-travolta/71670' target='_blank'>John Travolta</a> was a big-time movie star, he was underachieving Sweathog Vinnie Barbarino in the hit sitcom 'Welcome Back, Kotter' (1975-79). With a movie in the works starring <a href='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/ice-cube/34311' target='_blank'>Ice Cube</a> as Mr. K., it's a perfect time to welcome back the original 'Kotter' crew and see where they've been since they dropped out of prime time. -- <i>By Jefferson Reid</i>
Reader Comments (12)
Karen Ritenour at 8:29PM on Aug 5th 2008
It's to bad Boom Boom Washington (Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs has not found his nitch. He's a very talented man
Godilife@aol.com
Karen Ritenour at 8:33PM on Aug 5th 2008
It's nice to see sitcoms from the 70's actors and actresses. Some times you never see them again. I grew up in the early 60's and 70's. I really enjoyed comedy shows or the Game show.
whking at 10:57AM on Aug 6th 2008
You forgot Stephen Shortridge, who played the part of Beau delaBaire the season after Vinny Barbarino left the sweathogs.
aubie1kenobi at 8:26AM on Aug 7th 2008
haha
James Owens at 1:40PM on Aug 27th 2008
Charles Fleischer who played Carvelli had a friend that hung out with him. What happened to him?
Julio Martinez at 12:34PM on Nov 27th 2008
I just perused the "Welcome Back Kotter" photos. You have missed Irene Arranga. She was added as a series regular in the final season. She played Mary Johnson,the girlfriend of Horshack. She ended up marrying him in a one-hour special at the end of the season. Irene went on to play a series regular on ABC's "Home Room" as well as recurring on CBS's "The Secret of Midland Heights" and "The Guns of Paradise." Irene also guested on such shows as "Newhart," "Alice," "Matlock," "The Mommies," "Remington Steele" and "The Life and Times of Robert F. Kennedy," and others. Irene went on to raise three children (one adopted), become an active theater director and a scipt analyst. She has just completed a movie script on her journey through the L.A. County Department of Children's Services adoption process. Irene also appeared in the E Entertainment documentaryspecial on "Welcome Back Kotter." Irene is married to Daily Variety theatre critic Julio Martinez.
Terry at 9:46AM on Mar 2nd 2009
I was so heartbroken to hear about Kelly and Johns sons death. May God bless your family! Terry in Petersburg Virginia
b at 7:42PM on May 20th 2009
WOoow..THAT much time elapsed..AMAZIN hwo many DID go onto new careers,movies,etc.
b at 7:33AM on May 18th 2009
LOT of ol shows HAD their context n times...Heck NO @mail to AI..LOT of the 70s,etc.stuff did NOT make it on to NOW....SOME was *$*@..hey...COULD U IMAGINE A REmake of its a MAD MAD MAD WORLD in TODAYS world...ACTUALLY EVERY day is a....
increase vertical leap at 10:02PM on Jul 27th 2009
welcome back, welcome back welcome back! All legends but no one beats Vinnie Barbarino!