
John Banner
Born January 28, 1910 · 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.
Notable Appearances
Movies

King Solomon's Mines

The Story of Ruth

The Young Lions

One, Two, Three

This Land Is Mine

Executive Suite

The Last Laugh

36 Hours

Once Upon a Honeymoon

It Started with Eve

The Moon Is Down

Bedtime Story

Never Say Goodbye

Kisses for My President

The Wonderful Country

The Lucille Ball Comedy Hour

The Wicked Dreams of Paula Schultz

Callaway Went Thataway

The Blue Angel

The Beast of Budapest

The Yellow Canary

Seven Miles from Alcatraz

They Came to Blow Up America

The Juggler

To the Victor

The Peter Tchaikovsky Story

Desperate Journey

Nocturne

One Coat of White

Hitler

My Girl Tisa

Bing Crosby Color Christmas Show

Go for Broke!

Crash of Moons

Operation Eichmann

Pacific Blackout

Spring Parade

Star Spangled Salesman

The Fallen Sparrow

With This Ring

The Argyle Secrets

Togetherness

The Gypsy Moon

20,000 Eyes

Guilty of Treason
TV Shows

Matinee Theater

The Untouchables

The Donna Reed Show

The Red Skelton Show

Hogan's Heroes

The Lucy Show

One Step Beyond

Alfred Hitchcock Presents

77 Sunset Strip

Thriller

The Doris Day Show

Father Knows Best

The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis

The Partridge Family

Kraft Suspense Theatre

Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea

The Man from U.N.C.L.E.

Alias Smith and Jones

The DuPont Show with June Allyson

Studio 57

Hazel

Public Defender

Adventures of Superman

Mister Ed

Outlaws

The Young Marrieds

Telephone Time

Navy Log

Cavalcade of America

The Third Man

The Gale Storm Show

The Rogues

The Roaring 20's

Alcoa Premiere

Behind Closed Doors

Letter to Loretta

Hallmark Hall of Fame

General Electric True

The Whistler

Private Secretary

The Man Called X

The Cara Williams Show

Sheena: Queen of the Jungle

The Baileys of Balboa




