John Banner
Acting
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
Acting96
movieThe Last Laugh
2016
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
tvThe Partridge Family
1970
Max Ledbetter
movieTogetherness
1970
Hipolitas
movieBing Crosby Color Christmas Show
1965
Self/Sgt. Schultz
tvHogan's Heroes
1965
Hans Schultz
movie36 Hours
1964
Ernst
tvThe Young Marrieds
1964
Dimitri Kilarin #1
tvThe Man from U.N.C.L.E.
1964
Dr. Foster
tvVoyage to the Bottom of the Sea
1964
Russian Chairman
tvThe Rogues
1964
Steiner
movieKisses for My President
1964
Vasiliovich Alexminitch (uncredited)
movieBedtime Story
1964
Burgermeister (uncredited)
tvKraft Suspense Theatre
1963
Martin Rutke
movieThe Yellow Canary
1963
Sam Skolman
tvThe Lucy Show
1962
Sergeant Schultz
tvThe Alfred Hitchcock Hour
1962
Dutch Customs Man
tvThe Virginian
1962
Gus Schultz / August the Head Waiter
movieHitler
1962
Gregor Strasser
movieOne, Two, Three
1961
Krause / Haberdasher (voice) (uncredited)
tvAlcoa Premiere
1961
Kaspar Kraus
tvHazel
1961
Mr. Mueller
movie20,000 Eyes
1961
Kurt Novak
movieOperation Eichmann
1961
Rudolf Hoff
tvThriller
1960
Prof. Martin Vander Hoven
movieThe Story of Ruth
1960
King Of Moab
movieThe Wonderful Country
1959
Ben Sterner
tvThe Untouchables
1959
Franz Koenig
tvThe DuPont Show with June Allyson
1959
Mr. Popper
movieThe Blue Angel
1959
Principal Harter
movieThe Peter Tchaikovsky Story
1959
Office Supervisor
tvOne Step Beyond
1959
Dr. Molhaus
tv77 Sunset Strip
1958
Carl Neuman
tvBehind Closed Doors
1958
Prosecutor Hoxa
movieThe Young Lions
1958
German Town Mayor (uncredited)
movieThe Beast of Budapest
1958
Dr. Kovach
tvPerry Mason
1957
A. Tobler
The Gale Storm Show
1956
Hans Schlosser
The Dream
1956
Prefect of Police
tvAlfred Hitchcock Presents
1955
Train Conductor
movieThe Gypsy Moon
1954
Bavarro
movieCrash of Moons
1954
Bavarro
movieExecutive Suite
1954
Henri - Stork Club Maître D' (uncredited)
tvPublic Defender
1954
Mr. Lambert
movieThe Juggler
1953
Emile Halevy
tvAdventures of Superman
1952
Bronsky
movieCallaway Went Thataway
1951
Headwaiter at Mocambo's (uncredited)
tvSchlitz Playhouse of Stars
1951
Morris Odvarka
tvThe Red Skelton Show
1951
Sgt. Schultz
movieGo for Broke!
1951
German Officer
movieKing Solomon's Mines
1950
Austin - Safari Client (uncredited)
movieGuilty of Treason
1950
Dr. Szandor Deste
movieTo the Victor
1948
Jacques Lestrac
movieNocturne
1946
Charles Shawn (uncredited)
movieThey Came to Blow Up America
1943
Gestapo Agent
movieThis Land Is Mine
1943
German Sergeant
movieThe Moon Is Down
1943
Lt. Prackle (uncredited)
movieOnce Upon a Honeymoon
1942
Von Kleinoch (uncredited)
movieIt Started with Eve
1941
Party Guest (uncredited)
movieSpring Parade
1940
Cymbalist (uncredited)