When John Travolta first appeared on the ABC sitcom Welcome Back Kotter in 1975, he was a relatively unknown actor with limited experience. At 21 years old, Travolta landed the role of Vinnie Barbarino, a charming high school student, which soon catapulted him into the spotlight. Despite this breakthrough, it took a few weeks for him to become a recognized television favorite.
In a recent August 2025 interview with Remind magazine, Gabe Kaplan, who starred as the teacher Gabe Kotter, revealed a humorous prank he played on Travolta during those early days on set.
“After the first episode, I falsely told John Travolta he had a lot of fan mail in the office,”
Kaplan, 81, explained.
“The office wasn’t close to the rehearsal hall, but he trudged over and asked for his letters. He came back disappointed and empty-handed. Everyone laughed a little and he said, ‘Very funny.’ A few weeks later he got a whole canvas sack of fan mail.”
John Travolta’s Gratitude for Gabe Kaplan‘s Role in His Success
Following the series premiere in September 1975, John Travolta‘s career trajectory rapidly ascended. His success on the show opened doors to major film roles, including parts in Carrie, Saturday Night Fever, and Grease, which defined his rise to stardom in the late 1970s.
Years later, Travolta openly acknowledged Kaplan’s influence in his career at the 2011 TV Land Awards ceremony. He expressed deep appreciation for Kaplan’s contributions to the show that launched many careers.
“I have been waiting so long to tell Gabe this,”
Travolta stated, as reported by the Ocala Star Banner.
“Thank you for creating this show and putting us all on the map. You’re a genius. You are a gentleman. And I love you, and I know we all love you.”
Ongoing Connections Among Welcome Back Kotter Cast Members
While several original cast members of Welcome Back Kotter have passed away, including Robert Hegyes, Ron Palillo, John Sylvester White, and Marcia Strassmann, some of the surviving actors remain in contact. Kaplan mentioned that he continues to keep in touch with Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs and John Travolta, maintaining friendships formed during the show’s run.
“Larry, John, and I had a lot of fun together doing the show. I’ve seen Larry frequently over the years and have seen John at reunion events,”
Kaplan shared, highlighting the enduring bond between the actors. He added that reconnecting with Travolta felt effortless as they “didn’t miss a beat” when catching up.
“We had a great time reminiscing,”
Kaplan added, reflecting on their recent conversations.
