Gabe Kaplan
Biography
Gabriel W. Kaplan was born on March 31 1945 in Brooklyn, New York, and built a career as an American comedian, actor, and professional poker player. He achieved widespread recognition portraying the title character, Gabe Kotter, in the 1970s sitcom Welcome Back, Kotter. In later years he became associated with the poker world, serving as co‑host and joint commentator alongside A.J. Benza on earlier seasons of the televised series High Stakes Poker, which aired on the Game Show Network. For the program’s seventh season, his commentary role was taken over by fellow comedian and poker personality Norm Macdonald. Kaplan’s work spans both entertainment and competitive poker, reflecting his dual prominence in those fields.
Career overview
Gabriel W. “Gabe” Kaplan was born on March 31, 1945, in Brooklyn, New York. He began his professional life as a comedian and later expanded into acting, becoming best known for portraying the title character, Gabe Kotter, in the 1970s sitcom Welcome Back, Kotter. The series, which aired during that decade, established Kaplan as a recognizable television lead and remains the primary acting credit associated with his career.
Beyond his sitcom work, Kaplan continued to appear on television in a commentary capacity. He co‑hosted and provided joint commentary for several seasons of the poker series High Stakes Poker on the Game Show Network, working alongside A.J. Benza. His involvement with the program concluded when he was succeeded by fellow comedian and poker player Norm Macdonald for the show’s seventh season. Throughout his career, Kaplan has been identified in industry databases as an actor and comedian, with a record of multiple television credits.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
28 titles- BoJack Horseman (2014) as Abe Ziegler (voice)
- Gotham Comedy Live (2012) as Self - Host
- The Grand (2007) as Seth Schwartzman
- ABC's 50th Anniversary Celebration (2003) as Self
- Jack the Dog (2001) as Richie
- Murder, She Wrote (1984) as Freddy York
- WonderWorks (1984) as Anthony DePalma
- The Hoboken Chicken Emergency (1984) as Anthony DePalma
- Groucho (1983) as Groucho Marx
- Catch A Rising Star: 10th Anniversary Special (1982) as Self
- Lewis & Clark (1981) as Stewart Lewis
- Lewis & Clark (1981) Creator
- Nobody's Perfekt (1981) as Dibley
- Tulips (1981) as Leland Irving
- Fast Break (1979) as David Greene
- US Against the World (1977) as Self
- Donny & Marie (1976) as Self
- The Captain and Tennille (1976) as Self - Guest
- The Love Boat (1976) as Stan Nichol
- People's Choice Awards (1975) as Self
- Welcome Back, Kotter (1975) as Gabe Kotter
- Welcome Back, Kotter (1975) Characters
- Welcome Back, Kotter (1975) Creator
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self - Guest Host
- The Merv Griffin Show (1962) as Self
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self - Co-Host
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self - Guest
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Gabe Kaplan best known for?
Gabe Kaplan is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including BoJack Horseman (2014), Murder, She Wrote (1984), A Short Film About Love (1988), Impromptu (1991).
When and where was Gabe Kaplan born?
Gabe Kaplan was born on March 31, 1945 in Brooklyn, New York, USA.
How many credits does Gabe Kaplan have?
Gabe Kaplan has accumulated over 28 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1961 to 2014.
What is Gabe Kaplan's background in cinema and television?
Gabriel W. Kaplan was born on March 31 1945 in Brooklyn, New York, and built a career as an American comedian, actor, and professional poker player. He achieved widespread recognition portraying the title character, Gabe Kotter, in the 1970s sitcom Welcome Back, Kotter. In later years he became associated with the poke...
Gabe Kaplan by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- People's Choice Awards (1975) as Self — aged about 30
- BoJack Horseman (2014) as Abe Ziegler (voice) — aged about 69
- Murder, She Wrote (1984) as Freddy York — aged about 39
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self — aged about 17
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self - Guest Host — aged about 17
- Welcome Back, Kotter (1975) as Gabe Kotter — aged about 30
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