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