John Banner
Known For
Acting
Born
1910-01-28 in Stanislau, Galicia, Austria-Hungary [now Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine]
Died
1973-01-28
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.
Most Known For
Perry Mason
as A. Tobler
Hogan's Heroes
as Hans Schultz
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour
as Dutch Customs Man
The Red Skelton Show
as Sgt. Schultz
The Virginian
as Gus Schultz
The Virginian
as August the Head Waiter
The Untouchables
as Franz Koenig
77 Sunset Strip
as Carl Neuman
Thriller
as Prof. Martin Vander Hoven
The Donna Reed Show
The Lucy Show
as Sergeant Schultz
Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea
as Russian Chairman
Matinee Theater
One Step Beyond
as Dr. Molhaus
The Partridge Family
as Max Ledbetter
Four Star Playhouse
as Koert
Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre
as General Zimring
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
as Train Conductor
Alias Smith and Jones
Kraft Suspense Theatre
as Martin Rutke