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John Banner

John Banner

Actor · 1910 – 1973 · Stanislau, Galicia, Austria-Hungary [now Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine]

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.

Movies24

  • Movie6.7

    The Young Lions

    1958 · 150 votes

  • Movie7.5

    One, Two, Three

    1961 · 437 votes

  • Movie7.5

    The Story of Ruth

    1960 · 58 votes

  • Movie6.1

    The Wonderful Country

    1959 · 72 votes

  • Movie7.1

    Executive Suite

    1954 · 63 votes

  • Movie6.4

    Never Say Goodbye

    1956 · 20 votes

  • Movie6.3

    Bedtime Story

    1964 · 55 votes

  • Movie7.1

    36 Hours

    1964 · 78 votes

  • Movie7.1

    This Land Is Mine

    1943 · 74 votes

  • Movie6.5

    King Solomon's Mines

    1950 · 140 votes

  • Movie6.3

    Once Upon a Honeymoon

    1942 · 55 votes

  • Movie6.7

    The Juggler

    1953 · 13 votes

  • Movie7.0

    The Last Laugh

    2016 · 21 votes

  • Movie6.0

    The Fallen Sparrow

    1943 · 30 votes

  • Movie6.9

    The Moon Is Down

    1943 · 14 votes

  • Movie7.6
  • Movie3.9
  • Movie7.2

    It Started with Eve

    1941 · 32 votes

  • Movie5.9

    Go for Broke!

    1951 · 27 votes

  • Movie7.3
  • Movie6.1

    Desperate Journey

    1942 · 33 votes

  • Movie5.8

    Hitler

    1962 · 18 votes

  • Movie3.5

    Crash of Moons

    1954 · 17 votes

  • Movie6.8

Series24

  • TV7.7

    Perry Mason

    1957 · 139 votes

  • TV7.9
  • TV7.4

    The Red Skelton Show

    1951 · 19 votes

  • TV6.5

    The Donna Reed Show

    1958 · 19 votes

  • TV5.3

    Matinee Theater

    1955 · 7 votes

  • TV6.5

    The Virginian

    1962 · 35 votes

  • TV6.8

    Four Star Playhouse

    1952 · 11 votes

  • TV7.5

    Hogan's Heroes

    1965 · 193 votes

  • TV6.8

    The Partridge Family

    1970 · 35 votes

  • TV5.9
  • TV5.7

    One Step Beyond

    1959 · 15 votes

  • TV7.8

    Alfred Hitchcock Presents

    1955 · 266 votes

  • TV8.0

    The Untouchables

    1959 · 139 votes

  • TV7.1

    The Lucy Show

    1962 · 53 votes

  • TV6.6

    Father Knows Best

    1954 · 28 votes

  • TV7.8
  • TV6.2

    The Doris Day Show

    1968 · 11 votes

  • TV7.2

    77 Sunset Strip

    1958 · 26 votes

  • TV6.7

    Thriller

    1960 · 20 votes

  • TV4.3

    The Young Marrieds

    1964 · 3 votes

  • TV7.0

    Alias Smith and Jones

    1971 · 33 votes

  • TV6.3
  • TV6.7

    Outlaws

    1960 · 3 votes

  • TV6.5

    Kraft Suspense Theatre

    1963 · 4 votes