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“Hogan’s Heroes,” the classic American television sitcom that aired from 1965 to 1971, has remained a beloved show for many fans of classic TV comedies. The series, set in a German prisoner of war (POW) camp during World War II, followed the exploits of a group of Allied POWs who secretly used the camp as a base for their operations against the German war effort. The show was known for its light-hearted take on a serious historical period, and its ensemble cast became quite popular. In this article, we explore the net worth of the main cast members of “Hogan’s Heroes” as of 2024, looking at their financial legacy and their impact on television and beyond.
| Full Name | Date of Birth (and Death, if applicable) | Nationality | Occupation(s) | Years Active in Industry | Spouse(s) | Children | Education | Notable Works/Achievements | Estimated Net worth (in their time) | Estimated Net worth (2024, adjusted for inflation) | Primary Sources of Wealth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bob Crane | July 13, 1928 – June 29, 1978 | American | Actor, Disc Jockey | 1950–1978 | Anne Terzian (div. 1970), Patricia Olson (m. 1970–1978) | 3 | Stamford High School | Hogan’s Heroes | $150,000 | $750,000 | Acting, Radio |
| Werner Klemperer | March 22, 1920 – December 6, 2000 | American | Actor, Musician | 1947–2000 | Janet Riley (m. 1950; div. 1955), John Zay (m. 1959; div. 1968), Kim Hamilton (m. 1969–2000) | 2 | Pasadena Playhouse | Hogan’s Heroes, Theatre Performances | $1 million | $3.4 million | Acting |
| John Banner | January 28, 1910 – January 28, 1973 | Austrian-American | Actor | 1940–1972 | Christine Welfer (m. 1940; div. 1943), Ilse Banner (m. 1948–1973) | None | File info not available | Hogan’s Heroes | $200,000 | $1.15 million | Acting |
| Richard Dawson | November 20, 1932 – June 2, 2012 | British | Actor, Game Show Host | 1954–1995 | Diana Dors (m. 1959; div. 1966), Gretchen Johnson (m. 1991–2012) | 3 | Royal Navy | Hogan’s Heroes, Family Feud | $1.25 million | $4.2 million | Acting, Game Show Hosting |
| Ivan Dixon | April 6, 1931 – March 16, 2008 | American | Actor, Director, Producer | 1957–2002 | Berlie Ray Dixon (m. 1954–2008) | 4 | North Carolina Central University | Hogan’s Heroes, Directing | $500,000 | $1.6 million | Acting, Directing |
| Larry Hovis | February 20, 1936 – September 9, 2003 | American | Actor, Producer, Writer | 1956–1993 | Ann Hovis | 4 | University of Houston | Hogan’s Heroes | $300,000 | $867,000 | Acting, Teaching |
| Robert Clary | March 1, 1926 – [Alive as of Knowledge Cutoff] | French-American | Actor, Author, Singer | 1949–2001 | Natalie Cantor Metzger (m. 1965–1997) | None | File info not available | Hogan’s Heroes, Holocaust Education | $800,000 | $1.5 million | Acting, Writing, Speaking Engagements |
| Leon Askin | September 18, 1907 – June 3, 2005 | Austrian-American | Actor, Director | 1930–2005 | Unknown | None | File info not available | Hogan’s Heroes | $400,000 | $1.07 million | Acting |
| Kenneth Washington | October 19, 1946 – [Unknown] | American | Actor | 1968–1984 | Unknown | Unknown | File info not available | Hogan’s Heroes | $100,000 | $250,000 | Acting |
Introduction to Hogan’s Heroes Financial Background
Bob Crane
Bob Crane played the charismatic and clever Colonel Hogan, the leader of the POWs. After “Hogan’s Heroes” ended, Crane had a few guest appearances on television shows and starred in the short-lived series “The Bob Crane Show.” Tragically, his life came to a sudden end in 1978 when he was found murdered in his apartment in Scottsdale, Arizona. The case remains officially unsolved, though there have been suspects and theories over the years.
Werner Klemperer
Werner Klemperer portrayed the bumbling and vain camp commandant, Colonel Klink. Klemperer, who was a Jewish refugee from Nazi Germany, insisted that Klink always be portrayed as a fool who never succeeded. After the show, he continued to act, appearing in various television shows and Broadway productions. Klemperer was also a talented musician and served as a narrator for several orchestral performances. He passed away in December 2000 from cancer.
John Banner
John Banner’s portrayal of the lovable Sergeant Schultz, with his catchphrase “I see nothing! I hear nothing! I know nothing!” made him one of the show’s most endearing characters. Banner had a successful career in Europe before moving to Hollywood. After “Hogan’s Heroes,” he appeared in several TV shows and movies. Banner died in January 1973, just a few years after the series ended, from an abdominal hemorrhage.
Richard Dawson
Richard Dawson played the charming and witty Corporal Newkirk, the group’s expert safecracker and tailor. Following “Hogan’s Heroes,” Dawson became a regular panelist on “Match Game” and later the original host of “Family Feud,” where he was known for his trademark kissing of female contestants. Dawson passed away in June 2012 from complications of esophageal cancer.
Ivan Dixon
Ivan Dixon portrayed Sergeant James Kinchloe, the communications expert. After the show, Dixon focused on directing and producing, working on numerous television series. He also had a significant role in the film “Car Wash” and directed the acclaimed film “The Spook Who Sat by the Door.” Dixon was an advocate for African American representation in the entertainment industry. He died in March 2008 from complications related to kidney failure.
Larry Hovis
Larry Hovis played the lovable and slightly goofy explosives expert, Sergeant Carter. Post “Hogan’s Heroes,” Hovis continued acting and also became a college lecturer on drama at Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University). He continued to make guest appearances on various TV shows until his death from cancer in September 2003.
Robert Clary
Robert Clary brought to life the spirited Frenchman Corporal LeBeau, known for his cooking skills and patriotism. Clary is a Holocaust survivor and after the series, he spoke openly about his experiences during World War II. He continued acting in television and on stage, and also had a career as a singer. As of my knowledge cutoff in 2023, Robert Clary is the last surviving main cast member of “Hogan’s Heroes.”
Leon Askin
Leon Askin played the stern General Burkhalter. After “Hogan’s Heroes,” Askin returned to Austria and continued his acting career in Europe. He also worked as a professor at the University of Vienna. Askin passed away in June 2005 at the age of 97.
Kenneth Washington
Kenneth Washington, who joined the cast in the last season as Sergeant Baker, continued to act in television and film sporadically after the show’s conclusion. Information about his later life and career is relatively scarce compared to his co-stars.
Estimating Hogan’s Heroes Net worth in 2024
Estimating the net worth of “Hogan’s Heroes” cast members involves considering their earnings during their careers, investments, and inflation adjustments. Factors like their post-show career transformations, involvement in other projects, and historical earnings help in deriving these figures.
Bob Crane
Bob Crane’s net worth in his time was around $150,000, equivalent to approximately $750,000 in 2024. His earnings primarily stemmed from acting and his earlier career as a radio disc jockey.
Werner Klemperer
Werner Klemperer’s net worth was valued at $1 million, which adjusts to around $3.4 million considering 2024 inflation. His multi-faceted career involved acting in television, films, and theatrical productions.
John Banner
John Banner, remembered fondly for his role as Sergeant Schultz, had a net worth of $200,000, equating to $1.15 million today. His wealth was derived from his acting career in Europe and Hollywood.
Richard Dawson
Richard Dawson’s net worth was about $1.25 million, which, adjusting for inflation, stands at $4.2 million in 2024. He gained substantial income from his television and game show host roles.
Ivan Dixon
Ivan Dixon’s estimated net worth was $500,000 in his day, translating to $1.6 million in 2024. His work as an actor, director, and producer contributed significantly to his financial standing.
Larry Hovis
Larry Hovis’ net worth was around $300,000, adjusting to $867,000 today. His income spanned acting, producing, writing, and teaching drama.
Robert Clary
Robert Clary’s net worth was approximately $800,000, which is about $1.5 million in 2024 monetary value, derived mainly from his acting, singing career, and public speaking engagements related to the Holocaust.
Leon Askin
Leon Askin had a net worth of $400,000, equaling roughly $1.07 million today. His earnings came from his extensive work in European and American entertainment industries.
Kenneth Washington
Kenneth Washington’s net worth was around $100,000, equating to $250,000 today, primarily from his sporadic acting career post “Hogan’s Heroes.”
Understanding Historical Wealth
Analyzing historical wealth involves considering the economic contexts of the periods in which these individuals lived and worked. The value of money has changed significantly due to inflation, market evolutions, and shifts in entertainment industry practices.
Hogan’s Heroes Personal Finance Philosophy
While specific personal finance philosophies of the “Hogan’s Heroes” cast are not exhaustively documented, general insights can be inferred from their career choices and public statements.
Financial Strategies
For instance, Ivan Dixon’s move towards directing and producing suggests an understanding of financial diversification and leveraging industry expertise for long-term stability.
Investment in Education
Larry Hovis, who transitioned into teaching drama, indicates the value he placed on education and knowledge-sharing, which also provided a steady income post his acting career.
Comparing Hogan’s Heroes Wealth to Modern Equivalents
Today’s actors and entertainers often have substantially higher earnings due to the expansion of the entertainment industry, increased syndication deals, and new revenue streams like streaming services.
Earnings Comparison
A modern equivalent to Richard Dawson, for example, might be a renowned game show host like Steve Harvey, whose earnings and net worth vastly surpass those of Dawson due to the current scale and popularity of television programming.
Investment and Diversification
Modern actors tend to engage in diverse revenue-generating activities, including brand endorsements, business ventures, and social media influencing, reflecting an evolved entertainment economic landscape.
FAQs About Hogan’s Heroes’ Net worth
Is any of the “Hogan’s Heroes” cast still alive?
As of my knowledge cutoff in 2023, Robert Clary is the last surviving main cast member of “Hogan’s Heroes.”
Did any of the cast members have a successful career after “Hogan’s Heroes”?
Yes, several cast members had successful careers after the show. Richard Dawson became a popular game show host, and Ivan Dixon became a respected director and producer.
How are the “Hogan’s Heroes” cast members remembered today?
The cast members are remembered for their roles in the iconic show, with many having stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Their work continues to be celebrated by fans and in television history.
What was the inflation adjustment used for the 2024 net worth estimations?
The inflation adjustment utilized an average annual inflation rate of approximately 2.3%, which is a conservative estimate based on historical data.
Why is Robert Clary’s net worth higher despite not being the highest-paid actor?
Robert Clary’s diversified income from acting, writing, and speaking engagements on his Holocaust experience contributed to his higher net worth in 2024 adjustments.
The net worth figures and related information presented here are derived from a variety of public sources. These figures should not be regarded as definitive or fully accurate, as financial positions and valuations are subject to change over time.
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