Person
John Banner
Stanislau, 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 portray…
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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.
Filmography
Movies and shows, newest first
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2016
The Last Laugh
Movie Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
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1971
The Chicago Teddy Bears
TV show
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1971
Alias Smith and Jones
TV show
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1970
The Partridge Family
TV show Max Ledbetter
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1970
Togetherness
Movie Hipolitas
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1968
The Doris Day Show
TV show Bruno
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1968
Star Spangled Salesman
Movie Self
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1968
The Wicked Dreams of Paula Schultz
Movie Weber
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1965
Bing Crosby Color Christmas Show
Movie Self/Sgt. Schultz
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1965
Hogan's Heroes
TV show Hans Schultz
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1964
36 Hours
Movie Ernst
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1964
The Young Marrieds
TV show Dimitri Kilarin #1
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1964
The Cara Williams Show
TV show Zinzer
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1964
The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
TV show Dr. Foster
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1964
The Baileys of Balboa
TV show
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1964
Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea
TV show Russian Chairman
More credits
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1964
The Rogues
TV show Steiner
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1964
Kisses for My President
Movie Vasiliovich Alexminitch (uncredited)
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1964
Bedtime Story
Movie Burgermeister (uncredited)
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1964
The Lucille Ball Comedy Hour
Movie Guard
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1963
Kraft Suspense Theatre
TV show Martin Rutke
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1963
Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre
TV show General Zimring
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1963
The Yellow Canary
Movie Sam Skolman
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1962
The Lucy Show
TV show Sergeant Schultz
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1962
General Electric True
TV show
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1962
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour
TV show Dutch Customs Man
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1962
The Virginian
TV show Gus Schultz
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1962
Hitler
Movie Gregor Strasser
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1961
One, Two, Three
Movie Krause / Haberdasher (voice) (uncredited)
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1961
Alcoa Premiere
TV show Kaspar Kraus
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1961
Hazel
TV show Mr. Mueller
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1961
20,000 Eyes
Movie Kurt Novak
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1961
Operation Eichmann
Movie Rudolf Hoff
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1961
Mister Ed
TV show
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1960
The Roaring 20's
TV show
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1960
Outlaws
TV show
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1960
Thriller
TV show Prof. Martin Vander Hoven
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1960
The Story of Ruth
Movie King Of Moab
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1959
The Wonderful Country
Movie Ben Sterner
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1959
The Untouchables
TV show Franz Koenig
