Robert Hegyes

Infobox actor


imagesize = 150px
name = Robert Hegyes
birthdate = birth date and age|1951|5|7
birthplace = Perth Amboy, New Jersey

Robert Hegyes (born May 7, 1951) is an American actor, perhaps best known for his portrayal of Epstein in the 1970s television series "Welcome Back, Kotter".

Biography

Early life

Hegyes was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, to his Hungarian-American father, Stephen, and his Italian-American mother, Marie Dominica Cocozza. Hegyes is one of four children (Dr. Mark Hegyes, MD., Stephanie Hegyes and Elizabeth Hegyes-Cocozza). He is the cousin of singer Jon Bon Jovi. Always interested in theater, Hegyes began acting in high school in the mid-1960s under the guidance of Metuchen High School Theater teacher, Dr. Barton Shepard, Ph.D. [ [http://www.cinemawithoutborders.com/authors/?authorID=22 About Robert Hegyes] , Cinema Without Borders. Accessed September 30, 2007. "Mr. Hegyes was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey and began studying acting in earnest at Metuchen High in the mid 1960s."] Upon graduation from Glassboro State College (now Rowan University), with a B.A. in Speech/Theater & Secondary Education, Hegyes ventured into New York City to pursue a career in acting and soon became a member of a Greenwich Village children's theater group called, "Theater in a Trunk," performing educational theater at US President Teddy Roosevelt's birth place, on East 13 Street. Hegyes continued performing in the Village in educational children's theater, this time as a puppeteer with an arm and rod puppet company, playing "Mr. Toad," in, "The Wind & the Willows." Robert managed to work a third performing job in Washington Square Park and at the Provincetown Playhouse as a member of the political improvisational gurerilla troupe, "Jack LaRumpa's Flying Drum & Kazoo Band."

Career

Within a year of graduating from college, Hegyes was cast to co-star in the highly acclaimed Off-Broadway drama, "Naomi Court", starring actor Brad Davis ("Midnight Express"). After completing the successful Manhattan Theater Club engagement, Robert was cast by Tony Award- winning actor Len Cariou (making his directing debut) to co-star in the Broadway drama, "Don't Call Back", starring Arlene Francis and Dorian Harewood. While performing on Broadway, Hegyes auditioned for television producer James Komack and was cast to star in what was to become the award-winning ABC comedy, "Welcome Back, Kotter". The show lasted four seasons, from 1975-'79. At the age of 25, Hegyes became one of the show's directors.

Hegyes has guest starred in more than 30 episodic television shows, including, "Saturday Night Live", with Quentin Tarantino, "NewsRadio", "Diagnosis Murder", with Dick Van Dyke, "The Drew Carey Show" (in an April Fools' episode where the character, "Oswald," was "recast" for a brief scene with Hegyes playing the role) and "Streets of San Francisco", with Michael Douglas. He also starred in the award-winning Passat commercial, "The Chase," for director Kinka Usher. Hegyes has starred in the following films: "Honeymoon Hotel", with Jane Kasmerek, "Underground Aces", with Melanie Griffith, "Bob Roberts", with Tim Robbins, "The Purpose", with Mia Farrow, and "Bar Hopping", with "Weeds" star Kevin Nealon.

Robert made his Los Angeles stage debut to rave notices as, "Chico Marx," in the Westwood and National Touring Company engagements of, "An Evening with Groucho". Upon returning from the tour, Robert was cast by Producer Barney Rosenswieg to star as a series regular portraying undercover detective, "Manny Esposito," in the Emmy Award-winning drama, "Cagney & Lacey", starring Tyne Daly and Sharon Gless.

Hegyes became, "Artist-In-Residence," at his alma mater, Rowan University, teaching screenplay writing, acting for camera and public speaking. He continues to guest lecture in the Radio/Television/Film & Theater Departments. He was also an adjunct instructor at Brooks College, in Long Beach, California, where he taught essay writing and public speaking. Hegyes is a California Certified Secondary Education teacher, and has worked regularly over the past several years, employed with the LAUSD at Venice High School, in Venice, California.

Robert has been a resident in Venice, California, for over a decade, and is partnered in creating with writer/producer USC alum, Craig Titley, ("Cheaper by the Dozen", "Scooby-Doo") for the groundbreaking Internet series, "The Venice Walk", at http://www.thevenicewalk.com, the series' exclusive website and http://www.myspace.com/thevenicewalk the series' MySpace profile. The series revolves around a Venice Juvenile Probation officer (Hegyes) and his seven delinquent Venice High School students. Robert has also authored seven screenplays, most notably, "At The Movies" and "The Lost Marx Brothers Movie," for producer Warren Zide, who produced the final two movies of the "American Pie" trilogy and "Final Destination".

Personal life

*Boyfriend to Cynthia Wylie (1994 to 2007), raised four children together: Cassondra 1987, Alexa 1988, Sophia 1991, Mac 1991.
*Married to Lynn O'Hare (1987 to 1993) two children Cassondra 1987, Mac 1991.
*Married to Kyle Drummer (1979 to 1984) no children.
*Married to Mary Kunes (1973 to 1977) no children.

References

External links

*imdb name|name=Robert Hegyes|id=0373811
* [http://www.thevenicewalk.com Original Internet Series Website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/thevenicewalk Series MySpace Profile]
* [http://www.facebook.com/s.php?q=Robert+Hegyes&init=q Hegyes Facebook]
* [http://www.linkedin.com/in/roberthegyes Hegyes Linkedin]
* [http://www.thedailyreel.com/users/site-members/roberthegyes/]
* [http://roberthegyes.stumbleupon.com/about/]
* [http://www.classmates.com/profile/index.html?regId=8681850205&viewSelfProfile=yes&profileType=viewSelf&site=]