John Banner
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- Jan 28, 1910
- Died
- Jan 28, 1973 (aged 63)
- Place of birth
- Stanislau, Galicia, Austria-Hungary [now Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine]
- Credits
- 97
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
1961Movie
Krause / Haberdasher (voice) (uncredited)
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
1955TV
Train Conductor
Hogan's Heroes
1965TV
Hans Schultz
The Young Lions
1958Movie
German Town Mayor (uncredited)
Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea
1964TV
Russian Chairman
The Untouchables
1959TV
Franz Koenig
Filmography
The Last Laugh
2016Movie
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Chicago Teddy Bears
1971TV
Alias Smith and Jones
1971TV
The Partridge Family
1970TV
Max Ledbetter
Togetherness
1970Movie
Hipolitas
The Doris Day Show
1968TV
Bruno
Star Spangled Salesman
1968Movie
Self
The Wicked Dreams of Paula Schultz
1968Movie
Weber
Bing Crosby Color Christmas Show
1965Movie
Self/Sgt. Schultz
Hogan's Heroes
1965TV
Hans Schultz
36 Hours
1964Movie
Ernst
The Young Marrieds
1964TV
Dimitri Kilarin #1
The Cara Williams Show
1964TV
Zinzer
The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
1964TV
Dr. Foster
The Baileys of Balboa
1964TV
Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea
1964TV
Russian Chairman
The Rogues
1964TV
Steiner
Kisses for My President
1964Movie
Vasiliovich Alexminitch (uncredited)
Bedtime Story
1964Movie
Burgermeister (uncredited)
The Lucille Ball Comedy Hour
1964Movie
Guard
Kraft Suspense Theatre
1963TV
Martin Rutke
Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre
1963TV
General Zimring
The Yellow Canary
1963Movie
Sam Skolman
The Lucy Show
1962TV
Sergeant Schultz
General Electric True
1962TV
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour
1962TV
Dutch Customs Man
The Virginian
1962TV
Gus Schultz, August the Head Waiter
Hitler
1962Movie
Gregor Strasser
One, Two, Three
1961Movie
Krause / Haberdasher (voice) (uncredited)
Alcoa Premiere
1961TV
Kaspar Kraus
Hazel
1961TV
Mr. Mueller
20,000 Eyes
1961Movie
Kurt Novak
Operation Eichmann
1961Movie
Rudolf Hoff
Mister Ed
1961TV
The Roaring 20's
1960TV
Outlaws
1960TV
Thriller
1960TV
Prof. Martin Vander Hoven
The Story of Ruth
1960Movie
King Of Moab
The Wonderful Country
1959Movie
Ben Sterner
The Untouchables
1959TV
Franz Koenig
The Third Man
1959TV
The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis
1959TV
Chief
The DuPont Show with June Allyson
1959TV
Mr. Popper
The Blue Angel
1959Movie
Principal Harter
The Peter Tchaikovsky Story
1959Movie
Office Supervisor
One Step Beyond
1959TV
Dr. Molhaus
77 Sunset Strip
1958TV
Carl Neuman
Behind Closed Doors
1958TV
Prosecutor Hoxa
The Donna Reed Show
1958TV
The Young Lions
1958Movie
German Town Mayor (uncredited)
The Beast of Budapest
1958Movie
Dr. Kovach
Perry Mason
1957TV
A. Tobler
One Coat of White
1957Movie
Vegaro
The Gale Storm Show
1956TV
Hans Schlosser
The Dream
1956Movie
Prefect of Police
Telephone Time
1956TV
Never Say Goodbye
1956Movie
Oskar
The Man Called X
1956TV
Matinee Theater
1955TV
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
1955TV
Train Conductor
Navy Log
1955TV
Sheena: Queen of the Jungle
1955TV
Brunner
The Gypsy Moon
1954Movie
Bavarro
Father Knows Best
1954TV
Artist
Studio 57
1954TV
The Whistler
1954TV
Crash of Moons
1954Movie
Bavarro
Executive Suite
1954Movie
Henri - Stork Club Maître D' (uncredited)
Public Defender
1954TV
Mr. Lambert
With This Ring
1954Movie
Letter to Loretta
1953TV
Hans
The Juggler
1953Movie
Emile Halevy
Private Secretary
1953TV
Cavalcade of America
1952TV
Four Star Playhouse
1952TV
Koert
Adventures of Superman
1952TV
Bronsky
Hallmark Hall of Fame
1951TV
Callaway Went Thataway
1951Movie
Headwaiter at Mocambo's (uncredited)
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
1951TV
Morris Odvarka
The Red Skelton Show
1951TV
Sgt. Schultz
Go for Broke!
1951Movie
German Officer (uncredited)
King Solomon's Mines
1950Movie
Austin - Safari Client (uncredited)
Guilty of Treason
1950Movie
Dr. Szandor Deste
To the Victor
1948Movie
Jacques Lestrac
The Argyle Secrets
1948Movie
Winter
My Girl Tisa
1948Movie
Otto
Nocturne
1946Movie
Charles Shawn (uncredited)
The Fallen Sparrow
1943Movie
Anton
They Came to Blow Up America
1943Movie
Gestapo Agent
This Land Is Mine
1943Movie
German Sergeant
The Moon Is Down
1943Movie
Lt. Prackle (uncredited)
Once Upon a Honeymoon
1942Movie
Von Kleinoch (uncredited)
Seven Miles from Alcatraz
1942Movie
Fritz
Desperate Journey
1942Movie
Pacific Blackout
1941Movie
It Started with Eve
1941Movie
Party Guest (uncredited)
Spring Parade
1940Movie
Cymbalist (uncredited)