Bob Crane
Known For
Acting
Born
1928-07-13 in Waterbury, Connecticut, USA
Died
1978-06-29
Biography
Bob Crane (July 13, 1928 – June 29, 1978) as an American actor, drummer, radio personality, and disc jockey best known for starring as Colonel Robert Hogan in the CBS sitcom Hogan's Heroes from 1965 to 1971. Born Robert Edward Crane in Waterbury, Connecticut, he began drumming at age 11 and started his career in radio in Hornell, New York, before hosting a top-rated morning show in Los Angeles. Crane transitioned to acting in the early 1960s with guest roles on shows like The Twilight Zone, The Dick Van Dyke Show, and The Donna Reed Show, where he played Dr. Dave Kelsey for 62 episodes. His big break came with Hogan's Heroes, earning two Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series in 1966 and 1967. Post-Hogan's Heroes, Crane appeared in films like Superdad (1973) and Gus (1976), guest-starred on shows such as Police Woman and The Love Boat, and briefly led The Bob Crane Show in 1975. He was found murdered on June 29, 1978, in Scottsdale, Arizona, in an unsolved case involving blunt force trauma.
Most Known For
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
as Self
The Mike Douglas Show
as Self
The Love Boat
as Edward Anderson
The Twilight Zone
as Disc Jockey (uncredited)
Hogan's Heroes
as Robert Hogan
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour
as Charlie Lessing
Quincy, M.E.
as Dr. Jamison
The Red Skelton Show
as Col. Hogan
The Dick Van Dyke Show
as Harry Rogers
The Merv Griffin Show
as Self
Police Woman
as Larry Brooks
Love, American Style
as Howard
Love, American Style
Night Gallery
as Ellis Travers
The Donna Reed Show
The Donna Reed Show
as Dr. Dave Kelsey
The Lucy Show
as Bob Crane
The Doris Day Show
as Bob Carter
The Hardy Boys / Nancy Drew Mysteries
Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
as Self