Photo of John Banner
Acting

John Banner

Profession
Acting
Born
January 28, 1910 · Stanislau, Galicia, Austria-Hungary [now Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine]
Died
January 28, 1973

Biography

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

One, Two, Three poster
One, Two, Three
Film · 1961 · ★ 7.5
Alfred Hitchcock Presents poster
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Series · 1955 · ★ 7.8
Hogan's Heroes poster
Hogan's Heroes
Series · 1965 · ★ 7.5
The Young Lions poster
The Young Lions
Film · 1958 · ★ 6.7
King Solomon's Mines poster
King Solomon's Mines
Film · 1950 · ★ 6.5
Perry Mason poster
Perry Mason
Series · 1957 · ★ 7.7
Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea poster
Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea
Series · 1964 · ★ 7.8
The Untouchables poster
The Untouchables
Series · 1959 · ★ 8.0
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour poster
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour
Series · 1962 · ★ 7.9
36 Hours poster
36 Hours
Film · 1964 · ★ 7.1
This Land Is Mine poster
This Land Is Mine
Film · 1943 · ★ 7.1
The Man from U.N.C.L.E. poster
The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
Series · 1964 · ★ 7.2

Filmography