Actor Ron Palillo died 14 August 2012, apparently of a heart attack, at his home in Palm Beach, Florida. Born 2 April 1949, he’ll always be remembered as Arnold Horshack on Welcome Back, Kotter (1975-79), which starred Gabe Kaplan and also featured John Travolta.

After graduating from the University of Connecticut with a degree in drama, he joined a touring company performing Shakespeare’s plays. He then settled into off-Broadway theater in New York, and then television.

His genre film and television appearances include: The Curse of Micah Rood (2008), Trees 2: The Root of All Evil (2004), Hellgate (1990), Jason Lives: Friday the 13th, Part VI (1986), and The Invisible Woman (1983). He also did voiceover work for animation, including: Duckman: Private Dick/Family Man (1997), Darkwing Duck (1991), all 13 episodes of Midnight Patrol: Adventures in the Dream Zone (1990), Superman (1988), Little Clowns of Happytown (1987), The Pound Puppies (1985), and Rubik, the Amazing Cube (1983).

Recently, he had been teaching at a Florida charter school, and previously, at the University of Connecticut. He was also a pen-and-ink artist, using his full name, Ronald G. Palillo.
He is survived by his partner of 41 years, retired actor Joseph Gramm.