Werner Klemperer
USABiography of Werner Klemperer
Werner Klemperer was an American actor and comedian best known for his role as Colonel Wilhelm Klink in the CBS comedy series "Hogan's Heroes". He was born in Cologne, Germany, as the son of renowned conductor Otto Klemperer and soprano singer Johanna Geisler.
Talented in music like his parents, Werner played the violin and even pursued a career as a concert pianist. He also sang as a baritone in opera and Broadway musicals. He could be seen in the violin section of the New Philharmonia Orchestra on the DVD "Otto Klemperer - Beethoven Symphony No. 9," recorded on November 8, 1964, at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
As the Klemperers were Jewish, they were forced to leave Germany in 1935 after the Nazis came to power. They settled in Los Angeles, where Otto resumed his career as a conductor. Werner continued his education in schools and then enrolled in acting classes in Pasadena. However, he soon joined the United States Army and served throughout World War II. Stationed in Hawaii, Werner performed concerts as part of a special military unit, traveling across the Pacific region.
After the war, he started his career on Broadway and then transitioned to television. Werner's first major film role came in Alfred Hitchcock's 1956 movie "The Wrong Man". He also had a small role in Errol Flynn's "Istanbul". However, his most notable work came in the award-winning 1961 film "Judgment at Nuremberg," in which he portrayed Nazi judge Emil Hahn.
Later, Werner landed the lead role in the film "Operation Eichmann" and appeared as a guest star in an episode of Brian Keith's television series "Crusader". His most famous role, coincidentally, was also related to World War II. He played the cowardly camp commandant Colonel Wilhelm Klink in the popular comedy series "Hogan's Heroes". Werner had specified that he would only play a Nazi if the character was portrayed as a complete fool. Additionally, Klink became known for his terrible violin playing, which was a humorous nod to Werner's own average violin skills.
His portrayal of Klink earned Werner six Emmy nominations for "Outstanding Supporting Actor". He won the award twice, in 1968 and 1969. It was on the set of "Hogan's Heroes" that he met his second wife, Louise Troy.
After his father's death in 1973, Werner focused more on his musical career in opera and on Broadway. In 1987, he was nominated for a Tony Award. In 1993, Werner reprised his role as Klink, this time as the guardian angel of Homer Simpson in "The Simpsons". He declined other offers to play Colonel Klink again.
Werner Klemperer passed away on December 6, 2000, from cancer. His ashes were scattered at sea.
