Person Details

Birthday:

Aliases: Johann Banner

Gender: Male

Place of birth: Stanislau, Galicia, Austria-Hungary [now Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine]

Homepage:

Movie Involvements: 28

TV Involvements: 15


Most Famous Work

Biography

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.

Most Famous Work

Perry Mason
Average
8

Perry Mason

(1957) A. Tobler
The Virginian
Average
6

The Virginian

(1962) August the Head Waiter
One Step Beyond
Average
5

One Step Beyond

(1959) Dr. Molhaus
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour
Average
8

The Alfred Hitchcock Hour

(1962) Dutch Customs Man
77 Sunset Strip
Average
7

77 Sunset Strip

(1958) Carl Neuman
The DuPont Show with June Allyson
Average
6
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Average
8

Alfred Hitchcock Presents

(1955) Train Conductor
Thriller
Average
6

Thriller

(1960) Prof. Martin Vander Hoven

Acting

Year Character Movie/Tv
2016 Self
1971 N/A
N/A
1970 Hipolitas
1968 Self
Weber
1965 Hans Schultz
1964 Ernst
N/A
N/A
Steiner
Vasiliovich Alexminitch (uncredited)
Burgermeister (uncredited)
Guard
1963 Martin Rutke
Sam Skolman
1962 Sergeant Schultz
N/A
Dutch Customs Man
Gus Schultz
August the Head Waiter
Gregor Strasser
1961 Krause / Haberdrasher (voice)
Kurt Novak
Rudolf Hoff
N/A
1960 N/A
N/A
Prof. Martin Vander Hoven
King Of Moab
1959 Ben Sterner
N/A
N/A
Mr. Popper
Principal Harter
Office Supervisor
Dr. Molhaus
1958 Carl Neuman
Prosecutor Hoxa
N/A
Dr. Kovach
1957 A. Tobler
1956 N/A
Oskar
N/A
1955 N/A
Train Conductor
N/A
Brunner
1954 Bavarro
N/A
Bavarro
Mr. Lambert
N/A
1953 Hans
Emile Halevy
N/A
1952 N/A
Koert
Bronsky
1951 N/A
Headwaiter (uncredited)
Morris Odvarka
German Officer
1950 Austin - Safari Client (uncredited)
Dr. Szandor Deste
1948 Jacques Lestrac
Winter
Otto
1946 Charles Shawn
1943 Anton
German Sergeant
Gestapo Agent
Lt. Prackle (uncredited)
1942 Von Kleinoch (uncredited)
Fritz Weinermann
1941 N/A
Party Guest (uncredited)
1940 Cymbalist (uncredited)
Year Character Movie/Tv

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