In Memory of Werner Klemperer: A Diverse Talent Beyond Col. Klink on TV's 'Hogan's Heroes'

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Actor Werner Klemperer, who died in 2000, is best remembered for his Emmy-winning performance as Colonel Wilhelm Klink on TV's Hogan's Heroes (CBS, 1965-1971). However, Klemperer was a gifted, multi-talented entertainer beyond that role, and lived a life of challenge and triumph. This is his story.

A Closer Look

Werner Klemperer was born on March 22, 1920, in Cologne, Germany, to a musical family but initially thought he lacked musical talent. His father was renowned orchestra conductor Otto Klemperer, of Jewish origins, and his mother was soprano Johanna Geisler, a Lutheran.

At one point, Klemperer converted to Catholicism but later returned to Judaism. His mother was Lutheran.

In 1933, Klemperer moved with his family to Los Angeles, where his father was hired as a conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic (until 1939).

Young Werner then began acting on stage at the University High School and took acting classes at the Pasadena Playhouse^.

During World War II, he joined the U.S. Army, was stationed in Hawaii in Special Services, and spent the subsequent years touring the Pacific entertaining troops.

In 1947, after the War, Klemperer began performing on Broadway, widening his wheelhouse as an operatic baritone and vocalist. In 1955, he starred opposite Jose Ferrer in The Insect Comedy and later performed with Tallulah Bankhead in Dear Charles.

More Live Performances

In addition to playing characters in Broadway shows, Werner Klemperer served as narrator with nearly every major symphony orchestra in the United States. His repertoire included such works as Beethoven's "Egmont" and "Fidelio," Stravinsky's "L'Histoire du Soldat" and "Oedipus Rex."

His narration of Mozart's "The Impresario," with the Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra, aired on PBS's "Live from Lincoln Center." He also performed in various operas, including The Sound of Music, with the New York City Opera. He played Prince Orlofsky in Die Fledermaus with theatrical troupes in Seattle and Cleveland.

On Screen

Werner Klemperer also appeared in several feature films through the years including The Wrong Man (1956), Judgement at Nurenberg, and Operation Eichmann, both released in 1961 (the latter in which he played Adolf Eichmann, an architect of the Holocaust).

Some years before his benchmark role as Col. Klink on Hogan's Heroes, Klemperer made several TV guest appearances on anthology shows like Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Westerns such as Maverick, Gunsmoke, and Have Gun Will Travel, and other shows including Perry Mason.

Years After Klink

In 1979, years after Hogan's Heroes, Werner Klemperer, he was the Speaker in Arnold Schoenberg's Gurre-Lieder, in a live performance with the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

In 1988, he received a Tony nomination for his musical appearance in Hal Prince's revival of Cabaret.

Shortly before his demise, he co-starred in Circle in the Square's production of Chekhov's Uncle Vanya.

Personally Speaking

Werner Klemperer was married three times and was the father of two children. He died of cancer at his home in Manhattan on December 6, 2000, at the age of 80. He was cremated and his ashes were scattered at sea^.

In the End

Although countless classic TV fans of every culture will forever cherish Werner Klemperer's performance as Col. Klink on Hogan's Heroes. He was so very much more than that. He was a diversely gifted entertainer, and a courageous human being who fled from Nazi horror and ended up scouring on screen the very villainry he escaped in real life.