John Banner (Height: 6 feet 1 inch [1.85 meters]), born Johann Banner on January 28, 1910, was an Austrian-American actor who achieved lasting fame for his portrayal of the bumbling German Sergeant Hans Schultz in the beloved sitcom Hogan's Heroes (1965-1971). Banner was born in Vienna, Austria-Hungary (now Ukraine). He studied acting at the prestigious Reinhardt Seminar and began his career on the Viennese stage. In 1938, with the rise of the Nazis, Banner, a Jew, fled Austria for the United States. After arriving in America, Banner struggled to find work in his chosen profession. He took on odd jobs to make ends meet while continuing to pursue his passion for acting. Eventually, he began landing small roles in Hollywood films, often playing stereotypical Germans. In 1965, Banner landed the role of Sergeant Schultz in the CBS sitcom Hogan's Heroes. The show was set in a German prisoner-of-war camp during World War II and followed the exploits of a group of American officers led by Colonel Robert Hogan (Bob Crane). Banner's portrayal of Schultz, the guard who was always "seeing nothing" and "hearing nothing" while the prisoners tunneled out of the camp or conducted other escapades, was a comedic highlight of the show. Banner's comedic timing and delivery of the catchphrases "I see nothing!" and "I know nothing!" endeared him to audiences around the world. He remained with the show for its entire six-season run, becoming synonymous with the role of Sergeant Schultz. After Hogan's Heroes ended in 1971, Banner continued to act, appearing in guest roles on various television shows. He also returned to the stage, performing in a number of productions. In 1973, Banner died of a heart attack while visiting Vienna. He was 63 years old.
My Girl Tisa
(Otto)
The Wonderful Country
(Ben Sterner)
It Started with Eve
(Party Guest (uncredited))
The Fallen Sparrow
(Anton)
The Story of Ruth
(King Of Moab)
36 Hours
(Ernst)
Go for Broke!
(German Officer)
Hitler
(Gregor Strasser)
Bedtime Story
(Burgermeister (uncredited))
Seven Miles from Alcatraz
(Fritz Weinermann)
Never Say Goodbye
(Oskar)
The Argyle Secrets
(Winter)
20,000 Eyes
(Kurt Novak)
The Last Laugh
(Self)
With This Ring
Spring Parade
(Cymbalist (uncredited))
The Blue Angel
(Principal Harter)
They Came to Blow Up America
(Gestapo Agent)
The Beast of Budapest
(Dr. Kovach)
The Juggler
(Emile Halevy)
The Wicked Dreams of Paula Schultz
(Weber)
The Gypsy Moon
(Bavarro)
The Moon Is Down
(Lt. Prackle (uncredited))
Once Upon a Honeymoon
(Von Kleinoch (uncredited))
Guilty of Treason
(Dr. Szandor Deste)
Callaway Went Thataway
(Headwaiter (uncredited))
To the Victor
(Jacques Lestrac)
One, Two, Three
(Krause / Haberdrasher (voice))
The Yellow Canary
(Sam Skolman)
The Young Lions
(German Town Mayor (uncredited))
The Peter Tchaikovsky Story
(Office Supervisor)
Crash of Moons
(Bavarro)
This Land Is Mine
(German Sergeant)
Kisses for My President
(Vasiliovich Alexminitch (uncredited))
King Solomon's Mines
(Austin - Safari Client (uncredited))
The Lucille Ball Comedy Hour
(Guard)
Pacific Blackout
Togetherness
(Hipolitas)
Operation Eichmann
(Rudolf Hoff)
Nocturne
(Charles Shawn)
Star Spangled Salesman
(Self)
Bing Crosby Color Christmas Show
(Self/Sgt. Schultz)
Mister Ed
Kraft Suspense Theatre
(Martin Rutke)
The Lucy Show
(Sergeant Schultz)
Alias Smith and Jones
Hogan's Heroes
(Hans Schultz)
Perry Mason
(A. Tobler)
The Rogues
(Steiner)
Hallmark Hall of Fame
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
(Train Conductor)
Outlaws
The Virginian
(Gus Schultz)
The Chicago Teddy Bears
Thriller
(Prof. Martin Vander Hoven)
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
(Morris Odvarka)
One Step Beyond
(Dr. Molhaus)
Adventures of Superman
(Bronsky)
The Donna Reed Show
Private Secretary
Matinee Theater
Navy Log
The Baileys of Balboa
The Whistler
Cavalcade of America
The Cara Williams Show
General Electric True
Telephone Time
The DuPont Show with June Allyson
(Mr. Popper)
The Roaring 20's
The Man Called X
Letter to Loretta
(Hans)
The Third Man
77 Sunset Strip
(Carl Neuman)
Behind Closed Doors
(Prosecutor Hoxa)
The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis
Public Defender
(Mr. Lambert)
Sheena: Queen of the Jungle
(Brunner)
The Virginian
(August the Head Waiter)
Four Star Playhouse
(Koert)
The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
(Dr. Foster)
The Gale Storm Show
(Hans Schlosser)
Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea
(Russian Chairman)
The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis
(Chief)
Hazel
(Mr. Mueller)
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour
(Dutch Customs Man)
Studio 57
Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre
(General Zimring)