John Banner

Known for ActingBorn 1910-01-28Died 1973-01-28Stanislau, 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.Read more

Movies & web series

The Man Called X

My Girl Tisa

Hallmark Hall of Fame

The Peter Tchaikovsky Story

Star Spangled Salesman

The Untouchables

The Rogues

The Baileys of Balboa

The Yellow Canary

The Beast of Budapest

Behind Closed Doors

The Alfred Hitchcock Hour

Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea

Alfred Hitchcock Presents

Perry Mason

Kisses for My President

Hogan's Heroes

The Last Laugh

One, Two, Three

The Story of Ruth

Studio 57

The Lucille Ball Comedy Hour

The Red Skelton Show

The Man from U.N.C.L.E.

The Third Man

77 Sunset Strip

36 Hours

Schlitz Playhouse of Stars

The Lucy Show

Alias Smith and Jones

It Started with Eve

Executive Suite

This Land Is Mine

The Partridge Family

Operation Eichmann

The Chicago Teddy Bears

Hazel

The DuPont Show with June Allyson

Mister Ed

The Moon Is Down

Four Star Playhouse

Spring Parade

Outlaws

Thriller

The Young Lions

The Gale Storm Show

They Came to Blow Up America

The Juggler