John Banner
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.
Photos
Films (46)
The Last Laugh
2016 · Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Togetherness
1970 · Hipolitas
Star Spangled Salesman
1968 · Self
The Wicked Dreams of Paula Schultz
1968 · Weber
Bing Crosby Color Christmas Show
1965 · Self/Sgt. Schultz
36 Hours
1964 · Ernst
Kisses for My President
1964 · Vasiliovich Alexminitch (uncredited)
Bedtime Story
1964 · Burgermeister (uncredited)
The Lucille Ball Comedy Hour
1964 · Guard
The Yellow Canary
1963 · Sam Skolman
Hitler
1962 · Gregor Strasser
One, Two, Three
1961 · Krause / Haberdasher (voice) (uncredited)
20,000 Eyes
1961 · Kurt Novak
Operation Eichmann
1961 · Rudolf Hoff
The Story of Ruth
1960 · King Of Moab
The Wonderful Country
1959 · Ben Sterner
The Blue Angel
1959 · Principal Harter
The Peter Tchaikovsky Story
1959 · Office Supervisor
The Young Lions
1958 · German Town Mayor (uncredited)
The Beast of Budapest
1958 · Dr. Kovach
One Coat of White
1957 · Vegaro
The Dream
1956 · Prefect of Police
Never Say Goodbye
1956 · Oskar
The Gypsy Moon
1954 · Bavarro
Crash of Moons
1954 · Bavarro
Executive Suite
1954 · Henri (uncredited)
With This Ring
1954
The Juggler
1953 · Emile Halevy
Callaway Went Thataway
1951 · Headwaiter at Mocambo's (uncredited)
Go for Broke!
1951 · German Officer (uncredited)
King Solomon's Mines
1950 · Austin - Safari Client (uncredited)
Guilty of Treason
1950 · Dr. Szandor Deste
To the Victor
1948 · Jacques Lestrac
The Argyle Secrets
1948 · Winter
My Girl Tisa
1948 · Otto
Nocturne
1946 · Charles Shawn (uncredited)
The Fallen Sparrow
1943 · Anton
They Came to Blow Up America
1943 · Gestapo Agent
This Land Is Mine
1943 · German Sergeant
The Moon Is Down
1943 · Lt. Prackle (uncredited)
Once Upon a Honeymoon
1942 · Von Kleinoch (uncredited)
Seven Miles from Alcatraz
1942 · Fritz
Desperate Journey
1942
Pacific Blackout
1941
It Started with Eve
1941 · Party Guest (uncredited)
Spring Parade
1940 · Cymbalist (uncredited)
Séries (51)
The Chicago Teddy Bears
1971
Alias Smith and Jones
1971
The Partridge Family
1970 · Max Ledbetter
The Doris Day Show
1968 · Bruno
Hogan's Heroes
1965 · Hans Schultz
The Young Marrieds
1964 · Dimitri Kilarin #1
The Cara Williams Show
1964 · Zinzer
The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
1964 · Dr. Foster
The Baileys of Balboa
1964
Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea
1964 · Russian Chairman
The Rogues
1964 · Steiner
Kraft Suspense Theatre
1963 · Martin Rutke
Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre
1963 · General Zimring
The Lucy Show
1962 · Sergeant Schultz
General Electric True
1962
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour
1962 · Dutch Customs Man
The Virginian
1962 · Gus Schultz, August the Head Waiter
Alcoa Premiere
1961 · Kaspar Kraus
Hazel
1961 · Mr. Mueller
Mister Ed
1961
The Roaring 20's
1960
Outlaws
1960
Thriller
1960 · Prof. Martin Vander Hoven
The Untouchables
1959 · Franz Koenig
The Third Man
1959
The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis
1959 · Chief
The DuPont Show with June Allyson
1959 · Mr. Popper
One Step Beyond
1959 · Dr. Molhaus
77 Sunset Strip
1958 · Carl Neuman
Behind Closed Doors
1958 · Prosecutor Hoxa
The Donna Reed Show
1958
Perry Mason
1957 · A. Tobler
The Gale Storm Show
1956 · Hans Schlosser
Telephone Time
1956
The Man Called X
1956
Matinee Theater
1955
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
1955 · Train Conductor
Navy Log
1955
Sheena: Queen of the Jungle
1955 · Brunner
Father Knows Best
1954 · Artist
Studio 57
1954
The Whistler
1954
Public Defender
1954 · Mr. Lambert
Letter to Loretta
1953 · Hans
Private Secretary
1953
Cavalcade of America
1952
Four Star Playhouse
1952 · Koert
Adventures of Superman
1952 · Bronsky
Hallmark Hall of Fame
1951
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
1951 · Morris Odvarka
The Red Skelton Show
1951 · Sgt. Schultz