Ron's Turn at Metamorphosis

Ron Palillo passed away today. When I was a little kid I digged watching him as Arnold Horshack on Welcome Back Kotter.  I secretly identifed with him because he was nerdy and "not like the other boys," which is how I would describe myself back in those days,

I remember as a teen, I was hanging with my crew and we played, Which sweathog are you?, when it came to my turn, all the fellas said, "Oh, you're Arnold Horshack." I kinda remember wearing that title with pride.

BTW, back in '01, I got to see Ron in an off-off-Broadway show. He played a redneck homophobic daddy, and was actually very good. Who knew!

Thank you Ron. You made this little gay boy feel like he could belong. Now, go and hang with Donna, Dick and Don.