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John Banner

John Banner

Actor · Died January 28, 1973, aged 63 · Stanislau, Galicia, Austria-Hungary [now Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine]

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.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
January 28, 1910
Died
January 28, 1973 (aged 63)
From
Stanislau, Galicia, Austria-Hungary [now Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine]
Works as
Actor
Titles
41 on MovieCove · 94 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 38 days to Oct 27Up 7% in 30 days

What are John Banner's films like?

Across their 12 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Genres

Action2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 44th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies
Adventure2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 31st percentile
: browse their Adventure movies
Biography2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 40th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies
Comedy2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 37th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
29%
Bonds
24%
Society
14%
Self
11%
Power
11%
Survival
9%
Ideas
2%
Redemption3 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice2 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFreedom2 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity2 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty2 titles, browse their movies with this themeMarriage2 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 11 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 4 · Serious 2 · Dark 5

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 6 · Stylized 4 · Heightened 1

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 3 · Charged 5 · Intense 3

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 3 · Shifting 8 · Whiplash 0

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 7 · Some laughs 2 · Funny 2

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 2 · Even-paced 9 · Relentless 0

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

A split, not a type: Casual 6 · Engaged 4 · Full focus 1

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 5 · Affecting 2 · Heavy 4

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 10 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

1 analyzed role

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
8
Melancholic
4
Joyful
3
Absurd
3
Romantic
3
Other
8

How their films linger

Fun5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end

  • Happy6
  • Bittersweet5
  • Tragic1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch John Banner's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 24 of their 41 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (18).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for John Banner's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

94 credits, 41 with a MovieCove page; 3 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • The Chicago Teddy Bears (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 13 episodes · Actor

  • Alias Smith and Jones (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Partridge Family(1970)

    Show 1 episode · as Max Ledbetter

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all shows

  • Togetherness (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    as Hipolitas

  • The Doris Day Show(1968)

    Show 1 episode · as Bruno

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all shows

  • The Wicked Dreams of Paula Schultz(1968)

    as Weber

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • Hogan's Heroes(1965)

    Show 168 episodes · as Hans Schultz

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • 36 Hours(1964)

    as Ernst

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • The Young Marrieds (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 1 episode · as Dimitri Kilarin #1

  • The Cara Williams Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 1 episode · as Zinzer

  • The Man from U.N.C.L.E.(1964)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Foster

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • The Baileys of Balboa (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 4 episodes · Actor

  • Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea(1964)

    Show 1 episode · as Russian Chairman

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • The Rogues (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 1 episode · as Steiner

  • Kisses for My President(1964)

    as Vasiliovich Alexminitch (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Bedtime Story(1964)

    as Burgermeister (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • The Lucille Ball Comedy Hour(1964)

    as Guard

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Kraft Suspense Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as Martin Rutke

  • Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as General Zimring

  • The Yellow Canary (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    as Sam Skolman

  • The Lucy Show(1962)

    Show 1 episode · as Sergeant Schultz

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all shows

  • General Electric True (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Alfred Hitchcock Hour(1962)

    Show 1 episode · as Dutch Customs Man

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • The Virginian (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Show 1 episode · as August the Head Waiter · as Gus Schultz

  • Hitler(1962)

    as Gregor Strasser

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • One, Two, Three(1961)

    as Krause / Haberdasher (voice) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Alcoa Premiere (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · as Kaspar Kraus

  • Hazel(1961)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Mueller

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all shows

  • 20,000 Eyes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    as Kurt Novak

  • Operation Eichmann(1961)

    as Rudolf Hoff

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Mister Ed (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Roaring 20's (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Outlaws (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Thriller (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 1 episode · as Prof. Martin Vander Hoven

  • The Story of Ruth(1960)

    as King Of Moab

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • The Wonderful Country(1959)

    as Ben Sterner

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • The Untouchables (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Franz Koenig

  • The Third Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Chief

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • The DuPont Show with June Allyson (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Popper

  • The Blue Angel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    as Principal Harter

  • The Peter Tchaikovsky Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    as Office Supervisor

  • One Step Beyond(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Molhaus

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • 77 Sunset Strip (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Show 1 episode · as Carl Neuman

  • Behind Closed Doors (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Show 1 episode · as Prosecutor Hoxa

  • The Donna Reed Show(1958)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all shows

  • The Young Lions(1958)

    as German Town Mayor (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • The Beast of Budapest (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    as Dr. Kovach

  • Perry Mason(1957)

    Show 1 episode · as A. Tobler

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • One Coat of White (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    as Vegaro

  • The Gale Storm Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Show 1 episode · as Hans Schlosser

  • The Dream (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    as Prefect of Police

  • Telephone Time (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Never Say Goodbye(1956)

    as Oskar

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • The Man Called X (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Matinee Theater (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Alfred Hitchcock Presents(1955)

    Show 1 episode · as Train Conductor

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Navy Log (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Sheena: Queen of the Jungle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 1 episode · as Brunner

  • The Gypsy Moon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    as Bavarro

  • Father Knows Best(1954)

    Show 1 episode · as Artist

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all shows

  • Studio 57 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Whistler (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Crash of Moons(1954)

    as Bavarro

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Executive Suite(1954)

    as Henri - Stork Club Maître D' (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Public Defender (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Lambert

  • With This Ring (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    Actor

  • The Loretta Young Show(1953)

    Show 1 episode · as Hans

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all shows

  • The Juggler (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    as Emile Halevy

  • Private Secretary (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Cavalcade of America (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Four Star Playhouse(1952)

    Show 1 episode · as Koert

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all shows

  • Adventures of Superman(1952)

    Show 1 episode · as Bronsky

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • Hallmark Hall of Fame (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Callaway Went Thataway (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    as Headwaiter at Mocambo's (uncredited)

  • Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Show 1 episode · as Morris Odvarka

  • The Red Skelton Hour(1951)

    Show 1 episode · as Sgt. Schultz

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Go for Broke!(1951)

    as German Officer (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • King Solomon's Mines(1950)

    as Austin - Safari Client (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Guilty of Treason(1950)

    as Dr. Szandor Deste

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • To the Victor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as Jacques Lestrac

  • The Argyle Secrets (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as Winter

  • My Girl Tisa (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as Otto

  • Nocturne(1946)

    as Charles Shawn (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • The Fallen Sparrow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)

    as Anton

  • They Came to Blow Up America (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)

    as Gestapo Agent

  • This Land Is Mine(1943)

    as German Sergeant

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • The Moon Is Down(1943)

    as Lt. Prackle (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Once Upon a Honeymoon(1942)

    as Von Kleinoch (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Seven Miles from Alcatraz(1942)

    as Fritz

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Desperate Journey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    Actor

  • Pacific Blackout (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    Actor

  • It Started with Eve(1941)

    as Party Guest (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Spring Parade (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Cymbalist (uncredited)

Career shape

Star power in the 93rd percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 94 titles from 1940 to 1971; peak year 1960.

Biggest box office

King Solomon's Mines (1950)

$951 worldwide

Highest rated

36 Hours (1964)

Midcredits 88th

Most popular right now

Hogan's Heroes (1965)

Film career

19401971

Peak 1960 · at the high point of their film career. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting94 of 94: 94 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score68th

By decade

1940s14 · acting1950s45 · acting1960s31 · acting1970s4 · acting

Billing

usually 15th · top billed in 0% of 15 roles
4146

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do John Banner's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 66th percentile, the median of all 23; across their 11 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 47th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

47thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Approval · how many liked their films

45thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Reach · how many have seen their films

25thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Midcredits score across 41 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up14
  • 50th to 74th18
  • 25th to 49th6
  • Below 25th3

Shape of the crowd

25 of their 41 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved6
  • Universally Panned1
  • Crowd Pleaser25
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed7

Most divisive · actor

The Lucille Ball Comedy Hour (1964)

79th percentile spread · 18% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

One, Two, Three (1961)

Midcredits 96th · 84% liked

Reviewers score the acting 66/100 in their films, across 10 reviewed titles; fans 75, detractors 44. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does John Banner work with?

People who share at least 2 of John Banner's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Werner Klemperer shares the most, 3.

Writers

Actors

Cinematographers