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Born: January 28, 1910 – Died: January 28, 1973
John Banner, the acclaimed actor who brought the iconic character of Sergeant Schultz to life in the TV series Hogan's Heroes (1965), was born on January 28th, 1910 in Vienna. He achieved television immortality with his portrayal of the lovable Luftwaffe POW camp guard. Born in the capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Banner was forced to flee his homeland as a political refugee to escape Nazi capture. Despite facing personal tragedy with the loss of his family in concentration camps, Banner found success in the entertainment industry, captivating audiences with his comedic talent and unforgettable performances.
Early Life and Career
John Banner had a challenging childhood, growing up in Vienna during a time of political turmoil and upheaval. He was Jewish, and as a result, his family faced persecution during the rise of Nazi Germany. Thankfully, Banner was able to escape capture and find refuge in the United States as a political refugee.
Upon arriving in the U.S., Banner faced the difficult task of starting his career in a new country with limited knowledge of the English language. However, his determination and talent eventually led him to be hired as a Master of Ceremonies for a musical revue. He quickly learned the language phonetically and his immersion in the American entertainment industry paid off.
Banner's first major successful role came in the form of Sergeant Schultz in the TV series Hogan's Heroes (1965). His portrayal of the bumbling and lovable guard became iconic and endeared him to audiences around the world. The show was a hit and catapulted Banner to stardom in Hollywood.
Although not widely recognized at the time, Banner's role as Sergeant Schultz in Hogan's Heroes had a lasting impact on the entertainment industry. The character became synonymous with his name, and he was often typecast as a comedic foreign officer or authority figure in subsequent films and TV shows. Despite the occasional controversy of portraying Nazi characters, Banner firmly believed that Schultz represented "some kind of goodness in every generation."
John Banner will always be remembered as the lovable Sergeant Schultz and for his ability to bring humor and warmth to even the most challenging roles. His impact on Hollywood and the entertainment industry is undeniable, and he remains an enduring figure in television history.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1973 | George (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1972 | The Partridge Family (TV Series) | Max Ledbetter |
| 1972 | Alias Smith and Jones (TV Series) | Otto |
| 1972 | The Doris Day Show (TV Series) | Bruno |
| 1971 | The Chicago Teddy Bears (TV Series) | Uncle Latzi |
| 1965–1971 | Hogan's Heroes (TV Series) | Sgt. Schultz | Sgt. Hans Schultz | Wolfgang Brauner |
| 1970 | Togetherness | Hipolitas Mollnar |
| 1968 | Star Spangled Salesman (Short) | Chef |
| 1968 | The Wicked Dreams of Paula Schultz | Weber |
| 1967 | The Red Skelton Hour (TV Series) | Sgt. Schultz |
| 1966 | The Lucy Show (TV Series) | Sgt. Schultz |
| 1965 | The Young Marrieds (TV Series) | Dimitri Kilarin #1 |
| 1965 | Kraft Suspense Theatre (TV Series) | Martin Rutke |
| 1965 | Mister Ed (TV Series) | Professor Meyerhoff |
| 1965 | Hazel (TV Series) | Mr. Mueller |
| 1964–1965 | The Baileys of Balboa (TV Series) | Hans |
| 1964 | The Rogues (TV Series) | Steiner | Fat Man |
| 1964 | The Cara Williams Show (TV Series) | Zinzer |
| 1964 | The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (TV Series) | Dr. Foster |
| 1964 | 36 Hours | Ernst |
| 1964 | Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (TV Series) | Russian Chairman |
| 1964 | Kisses for My President | Vasiliovich Alexminitch (uncredited) |
| 1964 | Bedtime Story | Burgermeister (uncredited) |
| 1964 | Mr. and Mrs. (TV Movie) | Guard |
| 1964 | My Three Sons (TV Series) | Chief of Protocol |
| 1964 | The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (TV Series) | Dutch Customs Man |
| 1964 | Dr. Kildare (TV Series) | Mr. Schultz |
| 1963–1964 | The Virginian (TV Series) | August the Head Waiter | Gus Schultz |
| 1963 | The Prize | German Correspondent (uncredited) |
| 1963 | The Donna Reed Show (TV Series) | Cruikshank |
| 1963 | Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (TV Series) | General Zimring |
| 1963 | The Yellow Canary | Sam Skolman |
| 1960–1963 | The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis (TV Series) | Chief | Dr. Otto von Schwering |
| 1963 | G.E. True (TV Series) | Hipp |
| 1963 | Alcoa Premiere (TV Series) | Kaspar Kraus |
| 1963 | Wide Country (TV Series) | The Doctor |
| 1962 | The Interns | Dr. Duane |
| 1962 | The Counterfeit Traitor | Voices (uncredited) |
| 1962 | The Dick Powell Theatre (TV Series) | Vandever |
| 1962 | Hitler | Gregor Strasser |
| 1962 | The Untouchables (TV Series) | Franz Koenig |
| 1962 | Outlaws (TV Series) | Wint |
| 1961 | Thriller (TV Series) | Prof. Martin Vander Hoven |
| 1961 | One, Two, Three | Krause | Haberdrasher (voice) |
| 1961 | 20,000 Eyes | Kurt Novak |
| 1961 | Operation Eichmann | Rudolf Hoss |
| 1960 | Five Fingers (TV Series) | Saphani |
| 1960 | The DuPont Show with June Allyson (TV Series) | Mr. Popper |
| 1960 | 77 Sunset Strip (TV Series) | Carl Neuman |
| 1960 | Dante (TV Series) | Baron Von Zenger |
| 1960 | Perry Mason (TV Series) | A. Tobler |
| 1960 | Michael Shayne (TV Series) | Dr. Hess |
| 1960 | The Roaring 20's (TV Series) | Otto Bauer |
| 1960 | My Sister Eileen (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1960 | Markham (TV Series) | Police Commissioner Langres |
| 1960 | The Story of Ruth | King of Moab |
| 1960 | One Step Beyond (TV Series) | Dr. Molhaus |
| 1959–1960 | This Is the Life (TV Series) | Carl Brandt |
| 1959 | Shotgun Slade (TV Series) | Corneilus |
| 1959 | The Wonderful Country | Ben Sterner |
| 1959 | The Blue Angel | Principal Harter |
| 1959 | The Third Man (TV Series) | Steiner |
| 1959 | The Magical World of Disney (TV Series) | Office Supervisor |
| 1958 | Behind Closed Doors (TV Series) | Prosecutor Hoxa |
| 1958 | The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin (TV Series) | Baron Carlisle |
| 1958 | Cimarron City (TV Series) | P.B. Minscher |
| 1958 | Man Without a Gun (TV Series) | Max Brenner |
| 1958 | Fräulein | Ulick, German Health Dept. (uncredited) |
| 1958 | The Young Lions | German Town Mayor (uncredited) |
| 1958 | Telephone Time (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1958 | The Beast of Budapest | Dr. Kovach |
| 1958 | Studio 57 (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1957 | The Gray Ghost (TV Series) | Major Von Borcke |
| 1957 | Adventures of Superman (TV Series) | Bronsky |
| 1957 | The Loretta Young Show (TV Series) | Hans |
| 1957 | The Lineup (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1957 | Playhouse 90 (TV Series) | Vegaro |
| 1957 | The Gale Storm Show: Oh! Susanna (TV Series) | Hans Schlosser |
| 1957 | Conflict (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1957 | Father Knows Best (TV Series) | Artist |
| 1956 | Navy Log (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1956 | The Adventures of Hiram Holliday (TV Series) | Count Courtebiche |
| 1956 | You Are There (TV Series) | Nazi News Dealer |
| 1956 | The Power and the Prize | Mr. Ruloff (uncredited) |
| 1955–1956 | Matinee Theatre (TV Series) | Mushnik |
| 1956 | Screen Directors Playhouse (TV Series) | Prefect of Police |
| 1956 | Private Secretary (TV Series) | Sandor |
| 1956 | Four Star Playhouse (TV Series) | Koert |
| 1956 | The Man Called X (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1956 | Alfred Hitchcock Presents (TV Series) | Train Conductor |
| 1956 | Never Say Goodbye | Oskar - The Baker |
| 1956 | Jungle Jim (TV Series) | Wilhelm Camphausen |
| 1956 | Sheena: Queen of the Jungle (TV Series) | Brunner |
| 1954–1955 | Captain Midnight (TV Series) | Van Ronk | Goronov |
| 1955 | The Rains of Ranchipur | Rashid Ali Khan (uncredited) |
| 1955 | Mystery Is My Business (TV Series) | Buehler |
| 1955 | Cradle Song (TV Movie) | Unknown |
| 1955 | Damon Runyon Theater (TV Series) | Sgt. Heinz |
| 1954–1955 | Fireside Theatre (TV Series) | Joe | Josef Novak | Amos |
| 1955 | Topper (TV Series) | Ali | Henri |
| 1955 | Schlitz Playhouse (TV Series) | Morris Odvarka |
| 1954 | With This Ring (Short) | Unknown |
| 1954 | The Whistler (TV Series) | Van Loovan |
| 1954 | Adventures of the Falcon (TV Series) | Coldroski |
| 1954 | Rocky Jones, Space Ranger (TV Series) | Bovaro |
| 1954 | Public Defender (TV Series) | Potter | Mr. Lambert |
| 1954 | Executive Suite | Henri - Stork Club Maître D' (uncredited) |
| 1954 | Cavalcade of America (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1953 | The Juggler | Emile Halevy |
| 1952 | Sky King (TV Series) | Griz Raetze |
| 1951 | Callaway Went Thataway | Headwaiter at Mocambo's (uncredited) |
| 1951 | Go for Broke! | German Officer (uncredited) |
| 1950 | King Solomon's Mines | Austin - Safari Client (uncredited) |
| 1950 | The Lone Ranger (TV Series) | Baron Von Baden |
| 1950 | Guilty of Treason | Dr. Szandor Deste |
| 1948 | The Argyle Secrets | Winter |
| 1948 | To the Victor | Jacques Lestrac |
| 1948 | My Girl Tisa | Otto |
| 1947 | The Beginning or the End | German Laboratory Assistant (uncredited) |
| 1946 | Nocturne | Charles Shawn (uncredited) |
| 1946 | Rendezvous 24 | Ernst - Nazi Henchman (uncredited) |
| 1946 | Tangier | Ferris Wheel Operator (uncredited) |
| 1943 | The Fallen Sparrow | Anton |
| 1943 | This Land Is Mine | German Sergeant (uncredited) |
| 1943 | They Came to Blow Up America | Gestapo Agent (uncredited) |
| 1943 | Tonight We Raid Calais | Kurz |
| 1943 | The Moon Is Down | Lt. Prackle (uncredited) |
| 1943 | Immortal Sergeant | Officer (uncredited) |
| 1943 | The Fighting Guerrillas | Gestapo Agent (uncredited) |
| 1942 | Seven Miles from Alcatraz | Fritz Weinermann |
| 1942 | Once Upon a Honeymoon | German Capt. Von Kleinoch |
| 1942 | Desperate Journey | Conductor on Empty Troop Train (uncredited) |
| 1941 | Pacific Blackout | Henchman (uncredited) |
| 1941 | It Started with Eve | Party Guest (uncredited) |
| 1941 | Accent on Love | Austrian Tenant (uncredited) |
| 1940 | Spring Parade | Cymbalist (uncredited) |
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