CINEFILER

John Banner

Born
January 28, 1910
Died
January 8, 1973
John Banner (Height: 6 feet 1 inch [1.85 meters]), born Johann Banner on January 28, 1910, 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
The Young Lions
(1958)
German Town Mayor (uncredited)
One, Two, Three
(1961)
Krause / Haberdrasher (voice)
King Solomon's Mines
(1950)
Austin - Safari Client (uncredited)
This Land Is Mine
(1943)
German Sergeant
The Wonderful Country
(1959)
Ben Sterner
The Last Laugh
(2016)
Self
36 Hours
(1964)
Ernst
Bedtime Story
(1964)
Burgermeister (uncredited)
The Story of Ruth
(1960)
King Of Moab
Hitler
(1962)
Gregor Strasser
Full Filmography
Acting
Spring Parade
(1940)
Cymbalist (uncredited)
It Started with Eve
(1941)
Party Guest (uncredited)
Pacific Blackout
(1941)
Seven Miles from Alcatraz
(1942)
Fritz Weinermann
Once Upon a Honeymoon
(1942)
Von Kleinoch (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)
Nocturne
(1946)
Charles Shawn
The Argyle Secrets
(1948)
Winter
To the Victor
(1948)
Jacques Lestrac
My Girl Tisa
(1948)
Otto
Guilty of Treason
(1950)
Dr. Szandor Deste
King Solomon's Mines
(1950)
Austin - Safari Client (uncredited)
Callaway Went Thataway
(1951)
Headwaiter (uncredited)
Go for Broke!
(1951)
German Officer
The Juggler
(1953)
Emile Halevy
The Gypsy Moon
(1954)
Bavarro
Crash of Moons
(1954)
Bavarro
With This Ring
(1954)
Never Say Goodbye
(1956)
Oskar
The Beast of Budapest
(1958)
Dr. Kovach
The Young Lions
(1958)
German Town Mayor (uncredited)
The Wonderful Country
(1959)
Ben Sterner
The Blue Angel
(1959)
Principal Harter
The Peter Tchaikovsky Story
(1959)
Office Supervisor
The Story of Ruth
(1960)
King Of Moab
20,000 Eyes
(1961)
Kurt Novak
One, Two, Three
(1961)
Krause / Haberdrasher (voice)
Operation Eichmann
(1961)
Rudolf Hoff
Hitler
(1962)
Gregor Strasser
The Yellow Canary
(1963)
Sam Skolman
36 Hours
(1964)
Ernst
Kisses for My President
(1964)
Vasiliovich Alexminitch (uncredited)
The Lucille Ball Comedy Hour
(1964)
Guard
Bedtime Story
(1964)
Burgermeister (uncredited)
The Wicked Dreams of Paula Schultz
(1968)
Weber
Star Spangled Salesman
(1968)
Self
Togetherness
(1970)
Hipolitas
The Last Laugh
(2016)
Self
Data provided by TMDB