Rarely-Seen Kotter from ‘Welcome Back, Kotter’ Appears Nearly Hairless at 78 — He Left Acting Has a Daughter

• Rarely-seen Gabe Kaplan, commonly known as Mr. Kotter from “Welcome Back, Kotter,” looked nearly hairless as he celebrated his 78th birthday.
• Kaplan left acting and revealed why he “didn’t miss performing at all” as he ventured into another profession, which is his new passion in life.
• He also started a family and now is a dad of a beautiful grown-up daughter who fans say is “insanely talented.”

Gabe Kaplan is an actor, writer, and poker player who grew up in Brooklyn, New York. He starred in productions such as “Fat Break” and “Lewis & Clark.”

Before he gained these titles, Kaplan had a dream of becoming a major league baseball star, which he didn’t realize as he wasn’t athletic enough. The actor ventured into acting, where he is well remembered for playing Mr. Kotter in the sitcom “Welcome Back, Kotter.”

Gabe Kaplan’s potrait of “Welcome Back, Kotter” on July 1, 1975 | Source: Getty Images

In the series, which premiered on September 9, 1975, the actor played a high school teacher who was teaching at his former high school. He was in charge of unruly and underachieving remedial students called “Sweathogs.”

After the sitcom ended in 1979, Kaplan left acting to focus on financial ventures he had started while still on the show. He confessed that after playing Mr.Kotter, he wanted to put his energy into something else:

“Maybe I just wasn’t a show-biz type. I didn’t miss performing at all. I had created Kotter, and I didn’t want to create another show.”

Ron Palillo, John Travolta, Gabe Kaplan, Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, and Robert Hegyes on the set of “Welcom Back, Kotter” on July 1, 1975 | Source: Getty Images

Kaplan’s new road took him to poker and finance as he became a financial investor, and in the 1980s and 1990s, he played as a professional poker player. The actor worked on commodities, stocks, real estate, options, and getting firms ready to go public.

As for poker, Kaplan was so successful in this field that he became a champion poker player. In 1980, the poker player bagged $10,000 buy-in in Amarillo Slim’s Super Bowl of Poker Tournament for $190,000.

In 1990, Kaplan started his poker broadcasting career with a commentary of the World Series Poker at ESPN. In 2005, the actor finished 3rd in the World Poker Tour Event at the Mirage in Las Vegas. He also finished 2nd in 2005 at the WSOP $5000 Limit Hold ‘Em Event.

Gabe Kaplan on the set of “Welcome Back, Kotter” on September 9, 1975 | Source: Getty Images

After his successes, Kaplan retired from playing poker and broadcasting. He said he had enjoyed sixteen years broadcasting at High Stakes Poker and was ready to hold on to the memories:

“I had a blast doing High Stakes Poker, but the time has come for me to hang it up and empty my locker.”

Kaplan, who is now 78, started a family after the show and has a grown-up daughter. He was recently spotted looking different from his previous physical looks.

Gabe Kaplan in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1987 | Source: Getty Images

How Does Kotter Look Like Now?

Kaplan turned 78 on March 31, 2023. A fan shared the actor’s picture on Facebook on his birthday and captioned it, “I’m wishing the talented and funny Gabe Kaplan a very happy birthday today. He is the best!”

Kaplan, who held his daughter closely, was in a soft white cardigan and brown khaki trousers.

The photo showed just how much the actor had changed over the years in his new ventures and since he played Mr. Kotter. Unlike his TV character, who had thick black hair, Kaplan now looks nearly hairless.

However, Kaplan and his friend were all smiles in the photo. The actor was dressed in a purple polo shirt and light gray trousers, while his friend was in a matching light gray polo shirt and dark gray trousers.

Gabe Kaplan on the set of “Welcome Back, Kotter” on September 16, 1975 | Source: Getty Images

The actor also shared his picture with a friend on his Twitter account in 2018. Kaplan said they were “discussing the rematch.” In the photo, both Kaplan and his friend looked older. The actor looked nearly hairless, as part of his front head was bald.

The two wore smiles on their faces and had donned matching polo shirts, albeit of different colors and designs. Kaplan was in a purple polo shirt and light gray trousers, while his friend was in a green polo shirt with light gray strips and dark gray trousers.

Kaplan, who is now in his retirement period, had a net worth of $30 million as of 2014. The actor gained his net worth from acting and being a professional poker player and poker commentator. Despite his huge finances, the actor’s pride lies in his lookalike daughter.

Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, Gabe Kaplan, and John Travolta in New York City on April 10, 2011 | Source: Getty Images

Who Is Gabe Kaplan’s Daughter?

Kaplan has one daughter, Rachel Kaplan, born in 1990. The actor has kept information about her mother private. He has also never revealed if he is a married man.

Rachel is a singer and looks just like his dad. She has inherited his father’s nose. Kaplan and his daughter were once photographed together at a screening of the comedy film “Grand” in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The two looked alike with their similar bright smiles. Their facial features rightfully indicate they are father and daughter, as they have identical cheekbone structures.

Kaplan, who held his daughter closely, was in a soft white cardigan and brown khaki trousers. Rachel also looked gorgeous in brown khaki pants and a green chiffon blouse.

Gabe Kaplan and Rachel Kaplan in Las Vegas, Nevada on June 7, 2007 | Source: Getty Images

The two seem to enjoy each other’s company, as Kaplan once revealed on a Twitter post that he takes his daughter to eat out. The two once ate at a New York restaurant at one table with the legendary actor Paul Sorvino.

Gabe Kaplan and Marcia Strassman on the set of “Welcome Back, Kotter” onSeptember 23, 1976 | Source: Getty Images

Rachel is also talented in her craft, as is father was. The singer, who plays guitar, shares her music on her TikTok account, where her fans commend her work and leave positive comments about her voice.

In one post on TikTok, where Rachel sang as she played her guitar, fans were awed by her voice. One fan said her “voice is so rich,” while another noted that the singer’s “voice is so beautiful.

Fans also said Rachel sang and played the guitar wonderfully. “Omg you are insanely talented!!!” a fan said in awe.

Fans commented on Rachel’s singing on TikTok | Source: TikTok.com/rrkaplan

Rachel also shared another TikTok playing a song called “In Dreams.” Fans were also touched by her performance in this song. One fan commented, “Very good,” while another person said, “You sound really good, keep going girl….”

Fans who loved Rachel’s performances even promised to follow and share her content so that she could get more visibility.

Fans commented on Rachel’s singing on TikTok | Source: TikTok.com/rrkaplan

Kaplan has succeeded in parenting as well as his career. His daughter Rachel is a highly talented singer. The actor, who said he is done with show-biz, may make a comeback to the screens as he is said to be working with the original creator of “Welcome Back, Kotter” to develop a new movie musical.

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