John Banner
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.
Acted in
The Last Laugh
2016
as Self
The Chicago Teddy Bears
1971
Alias Smith and Jones
1971
Togetherness
1970
as Hipolitas
Star Spangled Salesman
1968
as Self
The Wicked Dreams of Paula Schultz
1968
as Weber
Hogan's Heroes
1965
as Hans Schultz
36 Hours
1964
as Ernst
The Cara Williams Show
1964
The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
1964
as Dr. Foster
The Baileys of Balboa
1964
Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea
1964
as Russian Chairman
The Rogues
1964
as Steiner
Kisses for My President
1964
as Vasiliovich Alexminitch (uncredited)
Bedtime Story
1964
as Burgermeister (uncredited)
The Lucille Ball Comedy Hour
1964
as Guard
Kraft Suspense Theatre
1963
as Martin Rutke
The Yellow Canary
1963
as Sam Skolman
The Lucy Show
1962
as Sergeant Schultz
General Electric True
1962
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour
1962
as Dutch Customs Man
The Virginian
1962
as Gus Schultz
The Virginian
1962
as August the Head Waiter
Hitler
1962
as Gregor Strasser
One, Two, Three
1961
as Krause / Haberdrasher (voice)
Hazel
1961
as Mr. Mueller
20,000 Eyes
1961
as Kurt Novak
Operation Eichmann
1961
as Rudolf Hoff
Mister Ed
1961
The Roaring 20's
1960
Outlaws
1960
Thriller
1960
as Prof. Martin Vander Hoven
The Story of Ruth
1960
as King Of Moab
The Wonderful Country
1959
as Ben Sterner
The Third Man
1959
The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis
1959
The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis
1959
as Chief
The DuPont Show with June Allyson
1959
as Mr. Popper
The Blue Angel
1959
as Principal Harter
The Peter Tchaikovsky Story
1959
as Office Supervisor
One Step Beyond
1959
as Dr. Molhaus
77 Sunset Strip
1958
as Carl Neuman
Behind Closed Doors
1958
as Prosecutor Hoxa
The Donna Reed Show
1958
The Young Lions
1958
as German Town Mayor (uncredited)
The Beast of Budapest
1958
as Dr. Kovach
Perry Mason
1957
as A. Tobler
The Gale Storm Show
1956
as Hans Schlosser
Telephone Time
1956
Never Say Goodbye
1956
as Oskar
The Man Called X
1956
Matinee Theater
1955
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
1955
as Train Conductor
Navy Log
1955
Sheena: Queen of the Jungle
1955
as Brunner
The Gypsy Moon
1954
as Bavarro
Studio 57
1954
The Whistler
1954
Crash of Moons
1954
as Bavarro
Public Defender
1954
as Mr. Lambert
With This Ring
1954
Letter to Loretta
1953
as Hans
The Juggler
1953
as Emile Halevy
Private Secretary
1953
Cavalcade of America
1952
Four Star Playhouse
1952
as Koert
Adventures of Superman
1952
as Bronsky
Hallmark Hall of Fame
1951
Callaway Went Thataway
1951
as Headwaiter (uncredited)
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
1951
as Morris Odvarka
Go for Broke!
1951
as German Officer
King Solomon's Mines
1950
as Austin - Safari Client (uncredited)
Guilty of Treason
1950
as Dr. Szandor Deste
To the Victor
1948
as Jacques Lestrac
The Argyle Secrets
1948
as Winter
My Girl Tisa
1948
as Otto
Nocturne
1946
as Charles Shawn
The Fallen Sparrow
1943
as Anton
They Came to Blow Up America
1943
as Gestapo Agent
This Land Is Mine
1943
as German Sergeant
The Moon Is Down
1943
as Lt. Prackle (uncredited)
Once Upon a Honeymoon
1942
as Von Kleinoch (uncredited)
Seven Miles from Alcatraz
1942
as Fritz Weinermann
Pacific Blackout
1941
It Started with Eve
1941
as Party Guest (uncredited)
Spring Parade
1940
as Cymbalist (uncredited)