'Hogan's Heroes': Through The Years With The Cast

Let's take a trip back in time to the small German town of Hammelburg! The classic postwar series Hogan's Heroes (1965-1971) takes place at the POW Camp "Stalag 13," where French, American, and British soldiers are being held captive. In an effort to indirectly support their allied troops, the prisoners use the camp as a base of sorts to sabotage the German war effort. What seems to be a serious plot is turned into a delightful comedy show where the characters are represented in extreme ways according to their nationalities.

"Sgt. Hans Georg Schultz," played by John Banner, is one of the NCOs of "Stalag 13." In addition to his drinking and eating, "Schultz" is very friendly with his prisoners, occasionally playing games and drinking with them. He is something of a clumsy soldier who sometimes has no idea what is actually going on around him.

After six years of being on the show, John Banner ended his role of "Schultz" along with the series. He was, in fact, Jewish and was therefore heavily criticized for his role as a German officer. He later regrouped with his earlier co-stars from Hogan's Heroes to star in the Cold War comedy The Wicked Dreams of Paula Schultz. After a few other productions, he moved to Europe with his Paris-born wife. Not even a year later, the beloved actor passed away in Vienna from an abdominal hemorrhage.

"Fräulein Helga" was a recurring character on the show, performing various tasks for "Hogan" in exchange for the occasional kiss or small gift. The actress Cynthia Lynn, who played the role, was most known in season 1 of the show, but later returned in other episodes in 1968 and 1971. Her last acting role was in an episode of Harry O back in 1975. Lynn eventually passed away in 2014 from Hepatitis.

"Corporal Peter Newkirk" is portrayed as the man with all the street smarts, including being a con man, lockpicker, magician, tailor, and safe cracker. He is the one who helps create disguises for the prisoners which help them escape the German camp.

After gaining TV fame on Hogan's Heroes, Dawson moved on to a variety of game shows as well as TV shows such as The New Dick Van Dyke Show (1973-1974). He began hosting the show Match Game in 1975 but quickly switched to Family Feud, for which he later won a Daytime Emmy for Best Game Show Host in 1978. He continued his work in the genre until his death in 2012 at the age of 79.

"Colonel Wilhelm Klink" is the leading officer at the camp. He is an old Luftwaffe officer of Prussian decent who ineptly runs the "Stalag 13," literally unaware that his prisoners escape regularly from his camp.

After the show ended in 1971, Werner Klemperer continued his career in both film and on Broadway. Whilst guest-starring in numerous TV shows, he also appeared in the Broadway reboot of the show Cabaret, for which he earned a Tony Award Nomination. His final role in television was a voice acting role in the hit animated series The Simpsons, playing the role of "Homer's" guardian angel, who happens to be "Colonel Klink." Werner died of cancer at the age of 80 back on Dec. 6, 2000.

"Staff Sergeant James Kinchloe" serves as the squad member responsible for electronic communications with the other Allies outside the camp. "Kinch" acts as second in command of the squad.

Ivan Dixon was one of the first African-American actors to have a supporting role in the '60s. After he left the show at the end of season 5, Dixon moved on to direct series and TV movies like The Waltons, The Rockford Files, The Bionic Woman, and The A-Team. He died in 2008 at the age of 76 from kidney failure.