John Banner

DOB: 1910-01-28

DOD: 1973-01-28

John Banner (Height: 6 feet 1 inch [1.85 meters]), born Johann Banner (January 28, 1910-January 28, 1973), 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.

Starred In

1948
Movie

My Girl Tisa

1943
Movie

The Fallen Sparrow

1960
Movie

The Story of Ruth

1964
Movie

36 Hours

1951
Movie

Go for Broke!

1962
Movie

Hitler

1964
Movie

Bedtime Story

1956
Movie

Never Say Goodbye

1961
Movie

20,000 Eyes

1948
Movie

The Argyle Secrets

2016
Movie

The Last Laugh

1954
Movie

With This Ring

1940
Movie

Spring Parade

1959
Movie

The Blue Angel

1953
Movie

The Juggler

1954
Movie

The Gypsy Moon

1943
Movie

The Moon Is Down

1950
Movie

Guilty of Treason

1948
Movie

To the Victor

1961
Movie

One, Two, Three

1963
Movie

The Yellow Canary

1958
Movie

The Young Lions

1954
Movie

Crash of Moons

1943
Movie

This Land Is Mine

1941
Movie

Pacific Blackout

1970
Movie

Togetherness

1961
Movie

Operation Eichmann

1946
Movie

Nocturne

1961
Tv

Mister Ed

1962
Tv

The Lucy Show

1957
Tv

Perry Mason

1964
Tv

The Rogues

1960
Tv

Outlaws

1962
Tv

The Virginian

1960
Tv

Thriller

1955
Tv

Navy Log

1954
Tv

The Whistler

1959
Tv

The Third Man

1962
Tv

The Virginian

1961
Tv

Hazel

1954
Tv

Studio 57