Did You Know...

... that JonBon is a cousin to Epstein? (from Welcome Back, Kotter)

I had no idea. Thanks Catte, for the article from MyCentralJersey:

Welcome back, Robert Hegyes.

The Metuchen native, who played Epstein on "Welcome Back, Kotter," is enjoying new acclaim as the show marks its 35th anniversary.

"I auditioned for Barbarino," said Hegyes, who still has his Epstein denim vest with the Puerto Rican flag on the back. "I'm in the elevator and there's another kid and (producer) Alan Sacks and he says "How are you doing Epstein?' and I said "No, I'm Barbarino.' John (Travolta) said "I thought I was Barbarino,' and they went "you're Barbarino and you're Epstein!' "
Travolta is also a Jersey native, coming from Englewood. Palillo did not make the reunion as he's recovering from surgery.

Hegyes was born in Perth Amboy and grew up on Woodbridge Avenue in Metuchen, near the house where he now lives on the same avenue. He's of Hungarian and Italian descent — Jon Bon Jovi is a cousin — which is different from the Epstein character, who proudly proclaimed his Puerto Rican and Jewish ethnicity.

The 1969 Metuchen High School graduate played football and acted, too.

God, I can't imagine anyone other than Travolta as Vinnie Barbarino :)

~ Hath