John Banner
Date of birth: 1910-01-28
Place of birth: Stanislau, Galicia, Austria-Hungary [now Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine]
Known for: Acting
Also known as: Johann Banner, جان بنر
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.
Movie Credits
My Girl Tisa
1948-02-07
1905 was a period of heavy immigration from Europe to America before laws were passed restricting th
The Wonderful Country
1959-10-21
Having fled to Mexico from the U.S. many years ago for killing his father's murderer, Martin Brady t
It Started with Eve
1941-09-26
A young man asks a hat check girl to pose as his fiancée in order to make his dying father's last mo
The Fallen Sparrow
1943-08-19
Imprisoned during the Spanish Civil War, John "Kit" McKittrick is released when a New York City poli
The Story of Ruth
1960-06-17
Ruth is one of two Moabite women who marry the sons of Elimelech and Naomi. When Elimelech and sons
36 Hours
1964-11-26
Germans kidnap an American major and try to convince him that World War II is over, so that they can
Go for Broke!
1951-05-04
A tribute to the U.S. 442nd Regimental Combat Team, formed in 1943 by Presidential permission with J
Hitler
1962-03-21
Richard Basehart stars as one of the most influential and one of the most reviled men in history in
Bedtime Story
1964-06-10
Benson is a Casanova who tricks women into having sex with him before leaving them. He is content wi
Seven Miles from Alcatraz
1942-11-18
After Pearl Harbor, convicts at Alcatraz prison live in fear of bomb attacks, driving Champ Larkin a
Never Say Goodbye
1956-03-10
In present-day U.S., Dr. Michael Parker, a prominent surgeon, unexpectedly runs into his German-born
20,000 Eyes
1961-06-14
An investment counselor turns jewel thief when the gangster he embezzled funds from demands to be pa
The Argyle Secrets
1948-05-07
A framed reporter and the crooks on his trail scramble to locate a book containing the names of Amer
The Last Laugh
2016-04-18
Feature documentary about humor and the Holocaust, examining whether it is ever acceptable to use hu
With This Ring
1954-01-01
Dramatised promotional film for the Miller Brewing Company.
Spring Parade
1940-09-27
In this light and lovely romantic musical, a Hungarian woman attends a Viennese fair and buys a card
The Blue Angel
1959-09-04
Remake of Josef von Sternberg's 1930 classic.
They Came to Blow Up America
1943-05-07
Based on a true incident that occurred in 1942 when nine Nazi saboteurs were put ashore on the coast
The Beast of Budapest
1958-02-23
Archival footage combined with new footage re-creates the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. It is also a lo
The Juggler
1953-05-11
A Holocaust survivor moves to Israel and experiences difficulty adjusting to life.
The Wicked Dreams of Paula Schultz
1968-01-03
A beautiful East German Olympic hopeful pole-vaults over the Berlin Wall to freedom.
The Gypsy Moon
1954-12-25
Rocky Jones and his buddies happen upon two strange moons orbiting each other. They soon discover th
The Moon Is Down
1943-03-14
The story of a small town in Norway that resists German occupation during World War II. Based on a J
Once Upon a Honeymoon
1942-11-27
A radio correspondent tries to rescue a burlesque queen from her marriage to a Nazi official.
Guilty of Treason
1950-02-20
The story of Cardinal Josef Mindzhenty, a Roman Catholic cardinal from Hungary who spoke out against
Callaway Went Thataway
1951-11-15
Two smart marketing people resurrect some old films starring cowboy Smoky Callaway and put them on t
To the Victor
1948-10-26
An American serviceman remains in France after WWII and becomes a black marketeer.
One, Two, Three
1961-12-15
In Cold War-era West Berlin, American Coca-Cola executive C.R. 'Mac' MacNamara is tasked with playin
The Yellow Canary
1963-05-15
Andy is an arrogant pop singer about to be divorced by his wife who treats his staff badly. On the s
The Young Lions
1958-04-02
The lives of three young men, a German and two Americans, during WWII.
The Peter Tchaikovsky Story
1959-01-30
The story of young Tchaikovsky through the premiere of his "Sleeping Beauty" ballet.
Crash of Moons
1954-07-10
A three-part episode from the TV series Rocky Jones, Space Ranger edited together and released as a
This Land Is Mine
1943-05-07
Somewhere in Europe, in a city occupied by the Nazis, a gentle school teacher finds himself torn bet
Kisses for My President
1964-08-21
A hapless husband takes a back seat to his wife, the first female president of the United States.
King Solomon's Mines
1950-11-09
Fortune hunter Allan Quatermain teams up with a resourceful woman to help her find her missing husba
The Lucille Ball Comedy Hour
1964-04-18
Pacific Blackout
1941-12-31
Falsely convicted of murder, young Robert Draper escapes custody during a practice blackout drill. U
Togetherness
1970-09-13
Nina, a gorgeous blonde communist, attracts the attention of two wealthy bon vivants. Prince Solomon
Operation Eichmann
1961-03-15
Drama about the life Adolf Eichmann, the Nazi officer responsible for the deaths of countless Jewish
Nocturne
1946-10-29
In 1940s Los Angeles, when womanizing composer Keith Vincent is found dead, the inquest concludes it
Star Spangled Salesman
1968-02-09
A collection of television celebrities pitch United States Savings bonds.
Bing Crosby Color Christmas Show
1965-12-25
Bing emcees and performs in this special Christmas show packed with guest stars including the cast o
Desperate Journey
1942-09-26
During WWII, when an allied bomber is shot down over Germany, the five surviving crew are captured b
The Dream
1956-05-16
In 1887 France, a mother is starting to become worried about her young son. He has a recurring dream
Executive Suite
1954-04-30
When the head of a large manufacturing firm dies suddenly from a stroke, his vice-presidents vie to
One Coat of White
1957-02-21
A newly-widowed woman goes on a trip to Europe and meets a French artist.