Gabe Kaplan (b. 1945) is an American comedian and actor, best remembered for the title role in the sitcom Welcome Back, Kotter. Kaplan is currently a professional poker player. He was photographed with Fozzie Bear for the premiere issue of Muppet Magazine in an article about the HBO special on the tenth anniversary of Catch a Rising Star. Aside from Welcome Back, Kotter, Kaplan has made guest appearances on Murder, She Wrote and The Love Boat, and played Groucho Marx in a filmed performance of his touring show.