Date of Birth: March 22, 1920
Zodiac Sign: Aries
Date of Death: December 6, 2000
Biography
Werner Klemperer was a German-American actor best known for his role as Colonel Wilhelm Klink on the CBS television sitcom “Hogan’s Heroes,” which aired from 1965 to 1971. Born into a family of musicians, Klemperer initially followed in his father’s footsteps by pursuing a career in music before shifting to acting. His father, Otto Klemperer, was a renowned conductor, and his mother, Johanna Geisler, was a soprano. Werner left Germany with his family in 1935 to escape the Nazi regime, settling in the United States. Klemperer served in the United States Army during World War II, and upon his return, he embarked on a successful acting career. He appeared in numerous films and television series, earning critical acclaim for his versatility. Despite his most famous role being that of a bumbling Nazi officer, Klemperer was Jewish and took on the role only after assurances that the character would never succeed in his plans. Werner Klemperer was not just an actor; he was also a talented musician, often performing as a conductor and violinist. He was actively involved in the arts until his death in 2000.
5 Interesting Facts about Werner Klemperer
1. Werner Klemperer won two Primetime Emmy Awards for his role as Colonel Klink in “Hogan’s Heroes.”
2. He served in the United States Army during World War II.
3. Klemperer was an accomplished violinist and often performed as a conductor.
4. He was fluent in multiple languages, including German and English.
5. Despite playing a Nazi officer, Klemperer was of Jewish descent and was firmly against Nazism.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Werner Klemperer
1. “Colonel Klink was a bumbling fool, and that’s the way I wanted to play him.”
2. “I am an actor; I am not a person who plays a Nazi officer.”
3. “The arts are not just a way to make a living; they are a way of life.”
4. “I would never play a Nazi as a sympathetic character.”
5. “Acting is not about being famous, it’s about exploring the human soul.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of his career, Werner Klemperer’s net worth was estimated to be around $10 million.
Children
Werner Klemperer did not have any children.
Relevant Links
1. [Werner Klemperer – IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0459239/
2. [Werner Klemperer – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Werner_Klemperer
3. [Werner Klemperer – Biography](https://www.biography.com/actor/werner-klemperer
4. [Hogan’s Heroes – CBS](https://www.cbs.com/shows/hogans-heroes/
5. [Werner Klemperer’s Emmy Awards](https://www.emmys.com/bios/werner-klemperer
