"Welcome Back, Kotter" star Ron Palillo dies at 63

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Actor Ron Pallilo, who played class joker Arnold Horshack in the 1970s TV comedy series "Welcome Back, Kotter", has died in Florida, his publicist said on Tuesday.

Los Angeles-based agent Jackie Stander confirmed reports that Pallilo, 63, died on Tuesday morning.

Celebrity news website TMZ.com reported that Pallilo died of an apparent heart attack at his home near Palm Beach, Florida.

Pallilo, whose character was known for the catch-phrase "Ooh-ooh-ooooh!", played Horshack for four years in the 1975-79 ABC comedy, which also starred John Travolta.

The show captured the antics of an unruly group of remedial high school students and their wise-cracking teacher Gabe Kotter, played by comedian Gabe Kaplan.

After "Welcome Back, Kotter," Palillo appeared in supporting roles in various television series and performed the voice in various animated series such as Laverne & Shirley in the Army, Darkwing Duck, and Rubik, the Amazing Cube where he played the lead character. In 1996, Palillo played himself in several episodes of the television sitcom Ellen, where he became the love interest of Ellen's friend Audrey. He also played a small part in the slasher film Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives (1986).