Ron Palillo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ron Palillo
Ron Palillo in 1975
Born	Ronald Gabriel Paolillo (1949-04-02)April 2, 1949 New Haven, Connecticut, U.S.
Died	August 14, 2012(2012-08-14) (aged 63) Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, U.S.
Resting place	St. Lawrence Cemetery
Other names	Ronald G. Paolillo (as illustrator)
Alma mater	University of Connecticut
Occupation	Actor, illustrator, playwright
Years active	1975–2012
Partner(s)	Joseph Gramm (1971–2012; Palillo's death)

Ronald Gabriel Palillo (born April 2, 1949 – died August 14, 2012) was an American actor and teacher. He was most famous for playing the kind, but not-so-smart, character Arnold Horshack. This role was in the TV show Welcome Back, Kotter, which aired from 1975 to 1979 on ABC.

Ron Palillo's Early Life and School

Ronald Gabriel Paolillo was born in New Haven, Connecticut. His parents, Gabriel and Carmel Paolillo, were Italian-American. He grew up in a nearby town called Cheshire.

He went to Cheshire High School. Later, he studied at the University of Connecticut in Storrs. He even taught there in the 1990s. He also went to Fairfield University to study more. For his acting career, he decided to use the last name Palillo.

Ron Palillo's Acting Career

Ron Palillo as Arnold Horshack in Welcome Back, Kotter, around 1976.

In 1975, Ron Palillo got the part of Arnold Horshack. Horshack was one of the "sweathogs," a group of students in the high school TV show Welcome Back, Kotter. His funny actions made him one of the most popular characters.

Near the end of the show, a special episode was made. It was meant to be a test for a new show just about Horshack. However, the new show was never made.

After Welcome Back, Kotter, Palillo acted in many other TV shows and movies. He used his voice for characters in cartoons like Laverne & Shirley in the Army and Darkwing Duck. He even played the main character in Rubik, the Amazing Cube.

In 1996, Palillo played himself in the TV show Ellen. He also spent a year on the daytime show One Life to Live. He appeared in the horror movie Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives (1986).

Ron Palillo's Stage Work and Other Talents

In 1991, Ron Palillo moved back to New York. He performed in many plays on stage. He played Mozart in Amadeus. He also acted in plays like Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Camelot, and Guys and Dolls.

He was also a director. He directed successful plays like A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline. He also directed a new version of Phantom Of The Opera.

Ron Palillo was also an artist. He drew pictures for two children's books: The Red Wings of Christmas and A Gift for the Contessa. In 2006, his first full play, The Lost Boy, was performed. This play told the true story of J. M. Barrie, the writer of Peter Pan.

He also taught drama to new students. He taught at the G-Star School of the Arts in Palm Springs, Florida.

Ron Palillo's Later Life and Passing

Ron Palillo lived in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. He lived with Joseph Gramm for 41 years.

On August 14, 2012, Ron Palillo had a heart attack at his home. He was taken to a hospital but passed away there. He died just seven months after his Welcome Back, Kotter co-star, Robert Hegyes, who also died from a heart attack.

Ron Palillo's funeral was held in Palm Beach Gardens on August 22, 2012. He is buried in St. Lawrence Cemetery in West Haven, Connecticut. A special event was held in New York City to remember and celebrate his life and work.

Ron Palillo's Filmography

See also

In Spanish: Ron Palillo para niños