Known For
Acting
Born
Jan 28, 1910
Died
Jan 28, 1973
Place of Birth
Stanislau, Galicia, Austria-Hungary [now Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine]
Credits
96 titles
John Banner
Biography
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.
Known For
Filmography
The Last Laugh
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Chicago Teddy Bears
Alias Smith and Jones
The Partridge Family
Max Ledbetter
Togetherness
Hipolitas
The Doris Day Show
Bruno
Star Spangled Salesman
Self
The Wicked Dreams of Paula Schultz
Weber
Bing Crosby Color Christmas Show
Self/Sgt. Schultz
Hogan's Heroes
Hans Schultz
36 Hours
Ernst
The Young Marrieds
Dimitri Kilarin #1
The Cara Williams Show
Zinzer
The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
Dr. Foster
The Baileys of Balboa
Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea
Russian Chairman
The Rogues
Steiner
Kisses for My President
Vasiliovich Alexminitch (uncredited)
Bedtime Story
Burgermeister (uncredited)
The Lucille Ball Comedy Hour
Guard
Kraft Suspense Theatre
Martin Rutke
Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre
General Zimring
The Yellow Canary
Sam Skolman
The Lucy Show
Sergeant Schultz
General Electric True
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour
Dutch Customs Man
The Virginian
Gus Schultz
Hitler
Gregor Strasser
One, Two, Three
Krause / Haberdasher (voice) (uncredited)
Alcoa Premiere
Kaspar Kraus
Hazel
Mr. Mueller
20,000 Eyes
Kurt Novak
Operation Eichmann
Rudolf Hoff
Mister Ed
The Roaring 20's
Outlaws
Thriller
Prof. Martin Vander Hoven
The Story of Ruth
King Of Moab
The Wonderful Country
Ben Sterner
The Untouchables
Franz Koenig
The Third Man
The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis
The DuPont Show with June Allyson
Mr. Popper
The Blue Angel
Principal Harter
The Peter Tchaikovsky Story
Office Supervisor
One Step Beyond
Dr. Molhaus
77 Sunset Strip
Carl Neuman
Behind Closed Doors
Prosecutor Hoxa
The Donna Reed Show
The Young Lions
German Town Mayor (uncredited)