Born - March 22, 1920
Died - December 6, 2000
Werner Klemperer was born in Cologne, Germany, on March 22,
1920. The son of renowned German-Jewish conductor Otto Klemperer, he and his
father fled Germany after Hitler came to power in the 1930s. Ironically, many
of Klemperer's acting roles were related to this history.
Werner's Hollywood career began with bit
roles in several films of the 1950s. By the late 1950s, he was acting on TV
drama anthologies, including "Alfred Hitchcock Presents." In 1961,
he played a small role in the feature film "Judgment at Nuremberg,"
about the trial of Nazi war criminals. That same year, he had the title role
in "Operation Eichmann," a film about the life and eventual capture
of escaped Nazi leader Adolf Eichmann (future "Hogan's Heroes" co-star
John Banner also appeared in that film). Werner's other films of the 1960s
included "Escape From East Berlin" (1962), "Youngblood Hawke"
(1964), and "Ship of Fools" (1965).
When approached to act in "Hogan's Heroes,"
Werner was initially unaware that the show was a comedy. He made it clear
to the producers that if Klink's schemes succeeded in any one episode, he
would leave the series. During the show's run, Werner appeared with "Hogan"
cohorts John Banner and Bob Crane in the flop 1968 romantic comedy film "The
Wicked Dreams of Paula Schultz." His other work during the run of the
series included the 1969 television movie "Wake Me When the War Is Over."
It featured a host of 1960s sitcom stars, including Jim (Mr. Howell) Backus,
Eva ("Green Acres") Gabor and others.
Werner received Emmy nominations for Outstanding
Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Comedy for each of the six
seasons of "Hogan's Heroes" He won twice, for the 1967-68 and 1968-69
seasons. His post-"Hogan's Heroes" acting roles included a guest
spot on "Lost in Space," the 1972 television movie "Assignment:
Munich," and the 1977 mini series "The Rhineman Exchange."
He was also one of the 1960s comedy stars who should have known better when
they appeared in the 1981 television movie "The Return of the Beverly
Hillbillies."
Werner's extensive stage work has included a major Broadway
revival of "Cabaret" with Joel Grey. He inherited his father's interest
in music and, among other pursuits, has conducted the Buffalo Orchestra. In
1991, he appeared in director Peter Sellars' film "The Cabinet of Dr.
Ramirez." His character was identified as the "Fat Man Looking for
a Tax Break."
Sadly, Werner Klemperer died on December
6, 2000 at the age of 80. Click here
to read a story by Elaine Woo.
