Debralee Scott was an American actress best known for her role on the sitcom Welcome Back, Kotter

Welcome Back, Kotter

Welcome Back, Kotter was an American television sitcom starring Gabe Kaplan and featuring a young John Travolta.It originally aired on the ABC network from September 9, 1975 to June 8, 1979.-Premise:...

as the sweathog Rosalie "Hotsie" Totsie. Scott was born and raised in Elizabeth, New Jersey

Elizabeth, New Jersey

Elizabeth is a city in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 124,969, retaining its ranking as New Jersey's fourth largest city with an increase of 4,401 residents from its 2000 Census population of 120,568...

, and later lived in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

Stroudsburg is a borough in Monroe County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is located in the Poconos region of the state, approximately five miles from the Delaware Water Gap, at the confluence of the Brodhead and Pocono Creeks. It is the county seat of Monroe County. Stroudsburg is part of the...

, where she was a cheerleader.
Scott's first role was filmed shortly after her 18th birthday; she portrayed a nude corpse in 1971's Dirty Harry

Dirty Harry

Dirty Harry is a 1971 American crime thriller produced and directed by Don Siegel, the first in the Dirty Harry series. Clint Eastwood plays the title role, in his first outing as San Francisco Police Department Inspector "Dirty" Harry Callahan....

. At age 22, she found fame on Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman

Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman

Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman is an American soap opera parody that aired in daily syndication from January 1976 to May 1977. The series was produced by Norman Lear, directed by Joan Darling and starred Louise Lasser...

, playing Mary's sister, Cathy Shumway.