Ronald Palillo

Ronald “Ron” Palillo was an American actor, writer, and teacher. He was born in New Haven, Connecticut, and studied drama at the University of Connecticut. He began his career as an actor, performing with a Shakespearean touring company. After moving to New York City, he continued touring and performing off-Broadway. In 1975, he was cast as Arnold Horshack in the sitcom Welcome Back, Kotter. That role led to several other television and film roles. He also performed in regional theatre, including roles in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Camelot, and Guys and Dolls.

Palillo’s first full-length play, The Lost Boy, about the life of Peter Pan author J.M. Barrie, premiered in 2006. He also wrote Who Can Say From This and That?, Let Me Call You Sweetheart, and But God’s First. His plays spanned virtually every genre, from dark comedy to historical drama. Palillo also directed plays throughout the country and taught drama at the G-Star School of the Arts in Florida. He died of a heart attack in 2012.