John Banner
Born
January 28, 1910
Died
January 28, 1973 (63 years old)
Known For
Acting
Place of Birth
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 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 Last Laugh
Self
2016
The Chicago Teddy Bears
(13 episodes)
1971

Alias Smith and Jones
(1 episode)
1971

Togetherness
Hipolitas
1970

Star Spangled Salesman
Self
1968

The Wicked Dreams of Paula Schultz
Weber
1968

Bing Crosby Color Christmas Show
Self/Sgt. Schultz
1965

Hogan's Heroes
Hans Schultz · (168 episodes)
1965

36 Hours
Ernst
1964

The Young Marrieds
Dimitri Kilarin #1 · (1 episode)
1964

The Cara Williams Show
(1 episode)
1964

The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
Dr. Foster · (1 episode)
1964

The Baileys of Balboa
(4 episodes)
1964

Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea
Russian Chairman · (1 episode)
1964

The Rogues
Steiner · (1 episode)
1964

Kisses for My President
Vasiliovich Alexminitch (uncredited)
1964

Bedtime Story
Burgermeister (uncredited)
1964

The Lucille Ball Comedy Hour
Guard
1964

Kraft Suspense Theatre
Martin Rutke · (1 episode)
1963
Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre
General Zimring · (1 episode)
1963

The Yellow Canary
Sam Skolman
1963

The Lucy Show
Sergeant Schultz · (1 episode)
1962
General Electric True
(1 episode)
1962

The Alfred Hitchcock Hour
Dutch Customs Man · (1 episode)
1962

The Virginian
Gus Schultz · (1 episode)
1962

The Virginian
August the Head Waiter · (1 episode)
1962

Hitler
Gregor Strasser
1962

One, Two, Three
Krause / Haberdrasher (voice) (uncredited)
1961

Alcoa Premiere
Kaspar Kraus · (1 episode)
1961

Hazel
Mr. Mueller · (1 episode)
1961

20,000 Eyes
Kurt Novak
1961

Operation Eichmann
Rudolf Hoff
1961

Mister Ed
(1 episode)
1961

The Roaring 20's
(1 episode)
1960

Outlaws
(1 episode)
1960

Thriller
Prof. Martin Vander Hoven · (1 episode)
1960

The Story of Ruth
King Of Moab
1960

The Wonderful Country
Ben Sterner
1959

The Third Man
(1 episode)
1959

The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis
(1 episode)
1959

The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis
Chief · (1 episode)
1959

The DuPont Show with June Allyson
Mr. Popper · (1 episode)
1959

The Blue Angel
Principal Harter
1959

The Peter Tchaikovsky Story
Office Supervisor
1959

One Step Beyond
Dr. Molhaus · (1 episode)
1959

77 Sunset Strip
Carl Neuman · (1 episode)
1958

Behind Closed Doors
Prosecutor Hoxa · (1 episode)
1958

The Donna Reed Show
(1 episode)
1958

The Young Lions
German Town Mayor (uncredited)
1958

The Beast of Budapest
Dr. Kovach
1958

Perry Mason
A. Tobler · (1 episode)
1957
The Gale Storm Show
Hans Schlosser · (1 episode)
1956

Telephone Time
(1 episode)
1956

Never Say Goodbye
Oskar
1956

The Man Called X
(1 episode)
1956

Matinee Theater
(2 episodes)
1955

Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Train Conductor · (1 episode)
1955
Navy Log
(1 episode)
1955

Sheena: Queen of the Jungle
Brunner · (1 episode)
1955

The Gypsy Moon
Bavarro
1954

Studio 57
(1 episode)
1954
The Whistler
(1 episode)
1954

Crash of Moons
Bavarro
1954

Public Defender
Mr. Lambert · (1 episode)
1954

With This Ring
1954

Letter to Loretta
Hans · (1 episode)
1953

The Juggler
Emile Halevy
1953
Private Secretary
(1 episode)
1953

Cavalcade of America
(1 episode)
1952
Four Star Playhouse
Koert · (1 episode)
1952

Adventures of Superman
Bronsky · (1 episode)
1952

Hallmark Hall of Fame
(1 episode)
1951

Callaway Went Thataway
Headwaiter (uncredited)
1951

Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
Morris Odvarka · (1 episode)
1951

The Red Skelton Show
Sgt. Schultz · (1 episode)
1951

Go for Broke!
German Officer
1951

King Solomon's Mines
Austin - Safari Client (uncredited)
1950

Guilty of Treason
Dr. Szandor Deste
1950

To the Victor
Jacques Lestrac
1948

The Argyle Secrets
Winter
1948

My Girl Tisa
Otto
1948

Nocturne
Charles Shawn (uncredited)
1946

The Fallen Sparrow
Anton
1943

They Came to Blow Up America
Gestapo Agent
1943

This Land Is Mine
German Sergeant
1943

The Moon Is Down
Lt. Prackle (uncredited)
1943

Once Upon a Honeymoon
Von Kleinoch (uncredited)
1942

Seven Miles from Alcatraz
Fritz Weinermann
1942

Pacific Blackout
1941

It Started with Eve
Party Guest (uncredited)
1941

Spring Parade
Cymbalist (uncredited)
1940