Werner Klemperer discusses his years on "Hogan's Heroes" and his father, conductor Otto Klemperer, in this 1992 interview with cable TV host Skip E Lowe.
Apparently in his family, when HH came on TV, he'd call in this kids, and say"Children, Father is on TV now", or some such wording! He really enjoyed watching the show too! I watch the show every night, as I have the DVD set...and I must have played it close to 10 times a year, the entire 6 set series. Play 1 episode one night, then 3 the next night, now I'm going to play another episode before going to bed, from Season 2... My favourite episode is LeBeau and the little old Lady!
I love this actor. He gained the immortality that only great performers are granted. I grew up watching Hogan's Heroes reruns, and I'm still a fan. RIP, Werner Klemperer.
A real stroke of genius to cast Werner Klemperer as Col. Klink. Absolutely perfect for the role. A wonderful actor and human being. He was an incredible talent. And don't forget his role in the movie "Judgement at Nuremburg"....outstanding!
I saw him in a short interview in which he was asked to do Colonel Klink, and he did it with no problem.. he was very funny and you could tell he liked doing it again. Classy man
I'd say less a case of "portraying" him as inventing him. He gave a fictitious character actual "life". We imagine that somewhere Klink is real because of him. And he has the proper gratitude and understanding of that. McLean Stevenson never understood that. He mistakenly thought america loved him... and what we loved is the sweet, caring and humorous man he gave us - Col. Henry Blake. Because of that he left MASH... and never had success again. I think actors that distance themselves from their most loved creations do everyone a dis-service.
As a child, I was fortunate enough to have seen Werner Klemperer on stage in Detroit's Fisher Theater in a production of The Sound of Music. Constance Towers played the lead. Mr. Klemperer played Uncle Max, a small role but to me and all the kids in the theater (I'm certain this was a matinee), he was the star of the show. When Uncle Max first came on stage, the children in the audience myself included screamed and clapped and lost our minds so much that Mr. Klemperer had to break character to smile and bow to us in order to shut us up and allow the play to proceed. To this day, it is STILL the most enjoyable production I have ever seen, because I got to see one of my heroes in person.
I was going through the comments to see if any other musicians out there thought he was damn good as a conductor as I did. I wonder why he didn't conduct with a baton in the clip shown?
By all accounts Werner Klemperer was a warm, generous, intelligent, cultured, friendly...Gentleman. It would have been fun to have him as a dinner guest and talk of his life and experiences, music, etc.
My father was a WWII veteran and he loved this show. It was one of the few times I remembered him laughing. When I watch this show today it reminds me of him. Thank you for sharing.
I rediscovered HH a couple of years ago on the ME Channel, and now I watch it from a completely larger perspective. It's brilliant ! I watch both episodes every night . It NEVER disappoints! From the terrific writing , to the fabulous production values , to the classic acting quality , to the ability to work the finest of fine lines between Naxi and WWII Germany and down and out purest comedy and satire . Couldn't have been done w/o Bob Crane. Thanks to everyone who made it work, and who preserves it today . RIP to all for whom that is appropriate.
His life philosophy of making what you do in the moment the most important thing, and not letting ego get in the way, is so important. We can all learn from it. I have admiration for this man's humility, his work ethic, and his positive attitude.
In an episode of Hogans Heroes he said ( as Klink) his father lived to be 80 and he wasn't going to break the tradition. In real life Wearner died at the age of 80. Very funny how that turned out
That was fascinating ! I grew up watching Hogan's Heroes . I never realized Werner Klemperer was such a humble , introspective person . So rare in the entertainment industry !
Werner Klemperer was a humane and classy guy and a superb comedic actor. Descendent of musical aristocracy, his Emmy awards were won against the best performers in a golden era of television. Unforgettable Mr K
What a phenomenal chemistry this cast had. I still laugh hard at reruns I've seen many times. I want to know more about Leon Askin (Burkhalter). That guy just killed me, his relationship with Klink was so hilarious.
Rest in peace one of my favorite TV characters of all time! You were a wonderful man and provided so much joy. Thanks be to God for your talent and humor!
Great actor. I grew up with Hogan's Heroes and still watch the reruns today. He doesn't seem to have that bloated ego you see on a lot of today's actors and actresses.
Hogan's Heros is tremendous. It was perfectly cast. Werner Klemperer as Col. Klink was outstanding. Bob Crane as Hogan was perfect. They had excellent chemistry together. In addition, the attention to detail with the sets, uniforms, background music, and filming angles was fantastic. The show was so well done that even though I've seen every episode many times, I'm still love watching it. Thank you to those responsible for creating it.
The uniform Werner Klemperer wore to play Colonel Klink fit him perfectly and looked great on him too. He was already a good looking man, but that put him over the top. Sometimes actors or actresses wear stuff that doesn't fit right...this was not the case here.
Exemplary actor, great person. Was watching an Alfred Hitchcock Presents episode and him AND John Banner both appeared in it, this was nearly a decade before Hogan's Heroes.
God bless Werner Klemperer...He was part of one of the funniest shows of my youth and an all time classic. The entire cast was brilliant. Thank you for posting this. The irony of Hogan’s Heroes was the General Burkhalter (Leon Adkin) Werner Klemperer, John Banner (sergeant Shultz) were all Jews....
So was Howard Caine (Major Hochstetter) was a Jew as well. Werner Klemperer and Howard were both in the military in the US during World War II, but served in the pacific theater. Howard was Navy and Werner I believe was army and served in special services (entertainment).
Same with Carroll O'Connor as Archie Bunker, Sherman Hemsley as George Jefferson, Ed O'Neill as Al Bundy, Kelsey Grammer as Frasier Crane and Michael J. Fox as Alex P. Keaton. Actors that were so utterly convincing in their roles that you almost can't believe that they're not anything like them offscreen.
He comes off fantastic. A 72 year old man no bitterness happy modest. His character was unforgettable funny and in a way very likable. Also it's obvious he comes from great parents and he has great breeding. He's very grounded knows who he is and happy about his life.
@@Cheepchipsable Some actors who get associated with a single popular role by the public get very short about it once they've moved on to other things. It's lovely that Klemperer never resented that people knew him mostly for Hogan's Heroes.
I watched it in syndication when I was a boy in the 70s. I loved it. I still will stop on it if I see it on television. It is still as good and fun as ever. Thank you, Werner, and John, all the cast for making such a delightful show.
I was born in the 1980s and my father was a boy watching hogan's heroes on when it was originally broadcast on television. He introduced me to this show, and I have every episode on DVD. So Mr Klemperer is correct that there are new generations of fans.
Such a talented and gifted actor, he's been one of my favorites since I used to hurry home after school to watch Hogan reruns. Whenever I need a lift after a tough day, I will watch them again and laugh, even when I know what joke is coming. It must have been a great time for the cast to do that show. Mr. Klemperer will always be the Colonel to me.
I like him as well. I all ways thought of him as a comedic actor ; I accidentally found a movie where he played the Nazi Adolf Eichmann. He was scary . It was quite a shock for me to see him in a dramatic role, but of course he was great. Do know the movie I can'y find it? if you know it please let me know.
True, Werner made great use and success of his German accent, which allowed him to play multiple films and TV series which required a foreign character to be depicted!
@@gus2600 Watch '5 Steps To Danger'. It's a Cold War espionage film made in 1957, and Werner Klemperer plays Dr. Simmons. The first time the viewer sees him at the hotel, watch as he looks over the balcony. His smile was downright creepy and it sent a shiver down my spine. I've seen other creepy things, but wow. Now I understand why Alfred Hitchcock's suspense films used to be all the rage; suspense is far more terrifying than straight horror/slasher films. Your mind will fill in the blanks better than ANY special effects.
Loved Hogan;s Heroes as a kid in the 70s and still love it today. It's just so well done. Yes, it's absurd at times but that's actually a strength. It's one of the few comedies that still makes me laugh out loud. So entertaining
Loved Hogan’s when I was a kid! Col. Klink, an arrogant buffoon on the enemy side (which was the point), is probably the most recognizable character of the cast, and I love that Werner embraced the role after as much as he did then, on the set. Classy guy! Warm person.
This man and John Banner made the show. To me everyone else was great but those 2 just did so much to make it so funny. Werner and Vincent Price were just so human. And my 16-year-old just got into HH a few weeks ago. He just loves it!
ROBERT DIOTALEVI I think Bob Kranes chemistry with Werner Klemperer was critical too. One of the creators of the show said that it wouldn't have worked without those two leading men.
I loved the interplay between Hogan & Klink, their interactions amused the heck out of me. Schultz was a favourite because he came across as a big, bewildered teddy bear.
I fully agree, Klink and Schulz were the show, period. The rest of the cast were set-up people. I wanted to have "sexual congress" with Col. Klink's hot Swedish secretary as a high schooler with way too much testosterone. She was so sensual it drove me nuts. I always wondered who banged her in real life, lucky guy.
This video should have 10,000,000 views. What a wonderful, beautiful man. He cared about giving his best at everything he did, because he felt that, if he was going to entertain people, it should be the best that he could make it. He comes across as someone who did not spend his time judging people, but appreciating what each person could "bring to the table" , in applying their craft. I would have loved to shake his hand and give him my appreciation, not as an actor, but as a person who loved life, and loved interaction with other people, and appreciated them for their uniqueness, and their contribution to make the world a more enjoyable place. Happy belated 100th birthday to Werner!
That joke is based upon the claim in the movie Stalig 17 which was the inspiration for creating the show. In that movie all the building were raised to avoid building tunnels like you see in Hogan's Heroes. The end up using that crawl space instead.
Sad part is most of these greats from Hogans Heros have passed away. Too bad that they didnt have a closure show after it was cancelled. It would have been nice to finish the series like Mash did. RIP Hero's. You entertained many during your tv run and reruns.
I would like to agree but it ending with business as usual makes it rewatchable if it ended with the war being over it removes the tension of them being in the very situation in the first place though i myself won't deny a definite end would be a nice idea but it leaves it open to our imagination
I've often thought about what a last episode would be. Perhaps they are there till the war ends and then they all get to shake hands and leave or perhaps the gig's up and Hogan orders the entire camp to escape. That would probably lead to Klink being executed so Hogan feeling sorry for him helps him to defect to USA ,along with Shultz of course. That would have been awesome.
My Grandmother was born and raised in Germany and came to the United States before Hitler came to power. And she got a kick out of Hogans Heroes. And I like them too. Stay healthy everyone we will get through this together.
he will always be of my favorite actors. And a beautiful soul. I still watch Hogan heroes. it finished before I was born. but it will always be timeless and transcend time In generations to come.
Klemperer and Banner both had family who either had to flee or were lost in the holocaust. Klemperer agreed to take the Klink role on the condition that he was portrayed as a fool and never ever ever succeeded or came out on top. The fact that such a character became an icon is a testament to his great talent
That’s because loving your job and laughter keep you young! Tom Kenny, who does the voice of SpongeBob SquarePants, has been doing that show for 20 years. I’ve seen pictures of him in 1999 and in 2019; he looks exactly the same!
Hogan missed a great opportunity. Whenever Klink would say "Do not disrespect our Fuhrer that way", Hogan should have come back with "OUR Fuhrer? You got it all wrong, Kommandant...America has a president. We CHOSE our leader." Lol
@@FrauWilhelmKlink You do know that their Fuehrer got elected at some point too? Just like America has elected a D. Trump... Majority can be extremely wrong!
He received significant notice for his role in the award-winning 1961 film 'Judgment at Nuremberg'. The film presented a fictionalized account of the post-World War II Nuremberg Trials, with Klemperer portraying Emil Hahn, a Nazi prosecutor and one of the defendants at the trial.
Funny, watching the man I knew as Colonel Klink going toe-to-toe with Burt Lancaster and Spencer Tracy -- and doing it well. A good reminder that we only know the role, not the actor.
I love Hogans Hero's my mother grew up watching it and I used to watch reruns with her while I was growing up. I now have my children watching it with me a couple times a week. Whenever I have a stressful day I love to watch hogans hero's and I literally feel all my stress fall to the side and it really brightens my day. I really loved john banner and Werner klemperer such wonderful people. The cast of hogans hero's was such a great cast of human beings. My hope is that with my mother and me grew up watching this is that my children will find the same enjoyment with this one show that it will be past down to their children for generations more.
The agent that got him the job was very clever. I could not imagine anyone else doing it The whole cast was perfect. I used to watch it live on tv in the 60s and 70s every week
Werner remains one of my favorite actors. I first learned of him in Hogan's Heroes, and I later looked up and saw more of his performances in other film and TV. He was a gentle, wonderful soul. RIP Werner.
I saw him in the 1950's TV show "The Silent Service" as U47 Captain Preen in Scapa Flow. One of the best performances on that show which included many popular actors before they were known. Awesome guy, great actor.
I own the series. My family has seen every episode literally 100 or 200 times. Although my kids have grown and married long ago, we still speak lines from the show during casual conversations. Like me, they can find a moment for humor even during serious discussions, and it's always spontaneous. I like to tell the story about my youngest when she was three or four years old. Where we lived was a railroad crossing not far from our house. To leave the immediate area you had to drive over the tracks. One day she was sitting in her car seat next to me when we had to stop for a very slow moving freight train. I counted quietly well over 100 freight cars. At one instance I let out a sight. My baby girl took her thumb out of her mouth, turned toward me and said, "Don't worry, Daddy; maybe tonight Hogan and the boys will break out of camp and blow up that train!" Then she sighed, returned her security blanket to her chin and placed her thumb back in her mouth!
Robert Roy I met him, he was a very nice man. I was 9 at the time and he let my brother and I into his dressing room and I got his autograph. It was nice meeting him.
What a thoroughly delightful and charming man. His talents are remarkable, but I'm just dumbfounded at what a lovely human being he is. I loved him in Hogan's Heroes, but rarely thought of him afterwards. What an inspiration he is!!!
Actually, his entire family was amazing. My primary soaring instructor was his nephew, Walter. Werner's brothers were Wolfgang, who among other things, was an aviation pioneer; designed the pressurized cockpit still used today for airliners. His other was a conductor for the Berlin Philharmonic I believe.
Wow, what a genuinely nice, warm, friendly classy guy Werner Klemperer was - and I like that he appreciated the show that made him famous rather than dismissing it as some Actors do, and I agree with Skip Lowe, Werner had a very interesting life and should have written a book.
GOOD for you !! REALITY shows, 'cause there isn't any, CLEAN CREATIVITY, anywhere near hollywwod, in this twisted, GODless generation >>=>>. just "" hey look at me , and my sexy body, i got a selfie, from MY I PHONE..."" no talent, or anything, R E A L down to earth. NO humility, nor wisdom. Please enjoy , real fun, clean HH series. i grew up, with HH, as well as Gilligans Island, Green Acres, Laugh IN, HEE_HAW.. etc. Fake reality = produces, ""UN REAL PEOPLE "" D J T as example.
@@petersack5074 Thanks Peter! I usually watch Green Acres before Hogans Heroes. I also love the Andy Griffith Show, I play Bluegrass music so I like when the Darlings appear on the show. I'm starting to get into the Bewitched series now.
His father was world renowned orchestra conductor and Werner was an accomplished violinist in his own right. Werner won two Emmy awards for his portrayal of Colonel Klink in Hogan's Heros. He also appeared in such movies as Judgement at Nuremburg.
I have been watching this show since 06 , remind you I was born in 1992. This is the best show ever as soon as an episode would play i can tell you the whole episode. All 6 seasons
Werner Klemperer was a wonderful human being and a great , underrated actor! He came from a very talented family but he also lived an incredibly fascinating life. Not only was his father the famed conductor Otto Klemperer, but he was also a first cousin to the diarist Victor Klemperer, a Jew who survived life as a free man in Nazi Germany and the fire bombing of Dresden(his diary was published as 'I Will Bear Witness'). Though Werner's father was a Jew, he had converted to Christianity as a young man, but this would've mattered little to the Nazis, and if they hadn't left Germany in 1935, it's quite likely the entire Klemperer family, including Werner, would've eventually perished in a concentration camp. It's a real shame that this interviewer barely touched on Klemperer's life in Nazi Germany. It would've been fascinating to hear about his time in Berlin as a teenager, but then the interviewer misses that golden opportunity and jumps right over to his emigration to America. Not only did 'Skip E.' skip this opportunity, but he jumped right into Klemperer's time on 'Hogan's Heroes', completely skipping one of Klemperer's greatest film roles in 'Judgement at Nuremberg', for which he received deserved praise. A truly fascinating man being interviewed by a truly awful interviewer!
I never knew Werner was in "Judgement at Nuremberg". Although I had never seen the film during my youth, it was heralded and well liked. Thanks for this info bit, I shall try to find and watch it.
It's a great old movie, one of Stanley Kramer's best imo. I've seen it several times too. Klemperer's character is fairly minor, as one of the German defendent war criminals, but he played it very well. It also stars Marlene Dietrich and even Judy Garland has a minor role!
True about his father becoming a Christian not mattering to the Nazis. Hitler, and the rest of his Nazi gang, absolutely hated Jesus Christ and they murdered hundreds of thousands of Christians (and many Catholics, too) because no true Christian would ever bow to Hitler or advocate for Socialism. Hitler's heart belonged to Friedrich Nietzsche, Charles Darwin, the Occult, and ultimately, Satan.
My grandmother and grandfather left Germany when Hitler started up and it wasn't that easy to get into the United States they had to have a sponsor and pay some fees
A sophisticated man of unpretentious integrity. Everyone in the Hogan's Heroes cast considered Mr Klemperer, along with the great Leon Askin, as the virtuoso comic actor. His Emmy speeches of thanks when he won best actor are exemplary in their economy and generosity.
This interviewer keeps jumping in the middle of what Klemperer is saying trying to anticipate what he's about to say and he's always wrong. You ask a question, let the interviewee answer for criminy sakes
So many interviewers are like this -- they are more impressed with their own voices than with the answers their guests are giving -- and they somehow believe the audience feels the same! Frustrating!
Yeh the interviewer sucks he's telling Werner how he feels too which is incredibly arrogant and seems to think we give a damn his name is "Skip" I'll be forgetting him immediately when I leave this video.
It's Aug 2020 and I've now been following Hogan's Heroes for 40+ years. I've seen every episode atleast 50 times, if not more. Probably many more. When I was a little boy I'd sneak my black and white 13" tv on and with the volume low, as not to wake anyone up, watch Hogan's Heroes. It was the most exciting thing to watch this show late at night. Of course Stalag 17, Gulag and Great Escape were all wonderful movies. Gulag was a made for tv movie and one of the best. It's free on youtube if you get the chance.
