<Tr> <Th> Original network </Th> <Td> ABC </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Original release </Th> <Td> September 9, 1975--May 17, 1979 </Td> </Tr> <P> Welcome Back, Kotter is an American sitcom starring Gabe Kaplan as a wisecracking high school teacher in charge of a racially and ethnically diverse remedial class called the "Sweathogs ." It marked John Travolta's television debut role . Recorded in front of a live studio audience, it originally aired on ABC from September 9, 1975, to May 17, 1979 . </P> <P> The show stars stand - up comedian and actor Gabriel' Gabe' Kaplan as the title character, Gabe Kotter, a wisecracking teacher who returns to his alma mater, James Buchanan High School in Brooklyn, New York, to teach a remedial class of loafers, called "Sweathogs ." Kotter's class is held in Room 11 . The school's principal is referred to, but rarely seen on - screen . The rigid vice principal, Michael Woodman (John Sylvester White), dismisses the Sweathogs as witless hoodlums, and only expects Kotter to contain them until they drop out or are otherwise banished . As a former remedial student, and a founding member of the original class of Sweathogs, Kotter befriends the current Sweathogs and stimulates their potential . A pupil - teacher rapport is formed, and the students often visit Kotter's Bensonhurst apartment, sometimes via the fire - escape window, much to the chagrin of his wife, Julie (Marcia Strassman). </P>

Who played mr. kotter in welcome back kotter