Gabriel W. Kaplan was born on March 31, 1945, in Brooklyn, New York, USA. During his childhood, he was unsure about his future career path. He had a strong admiration for baseball and once dreamed of playing in Major League Baseball. However, he never actively pursued this goal.
Kaplan's first job was as a bellman at a hotel in Lakewood, New Jersey. While working there, he frequently encountered touring comedians, which inspired him to consider a career in stand-up comedy. Motivated by these performers, Kaplan began telling humorous stories based largely on his experiences growing up in Brooklyn. He started performing in 1964 and soon developed a distinctive comedic voice.
One of Kaplan’s favorite venues to perform was Café Tel Aviv in New York City. As his popularity grew, he expanded his performances across the United States. Between 1973 and 1974, his rising fame earned him five guest appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, a significant milestone for any comedian of the era.
In 1974, he released a comedy album titled Holes and Mello-Rolls, which featured many of his signature childhood stories delivered in his comedic style.
From September 9, 1975, to May 17, 1979, Kaplan starred as the title character in the ABC sitcom Welcome Back, Kotter. He played Gabe Kotter, a high school teacher assigned to educate a group of remedial students. The series was an immediate success and served as a launchpad for John Travolta's acting career. With the earnings from the show, Kaplan purchased a home in Palm Springs, California.
| Birth Date: | 31 Mar, 1945 |
| Age: | 75 yrs |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Birth Place: | Brooklyn |
| Gender: | Male |
| Description: | American actor, comedian and poker player |
| Net Worth 2021: | 50 million |
