Biography
Bob Crane (July 13, 1928 – June 29, 1978) as an American actor, drummer, radio personality, and disc jockey best known for starring as Colonel Robert Hogan in the CBS sitcom Hogan's Heroes from 1965 to 1971. Born Robert Edward Crane in Waterbury, Connecticut, he began drumming at age 11 and started his career in radio in Hornell, New York, before hosting a top-rated morning show in Los Angeles. Crane transitioned to acting in the early 1960s with guest roles on shows like The Twilight Zone, The Dick Van Dyke Show, and The Donna Reed Show, where he played Dr. Dave Kelsey for 62 episodes. His big break came with Hogan's Heroes, earning two Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series in 1966 and 1967. Post-Hogan's Heroes, Crane appeared in films like Superdad (1973) and Gus (1976), guest-starred on shows such as Police Woman and The Love Boat, and briefly led The Bob Crane Show in 1975. He was found murdered on June 29, 1978, in Scottsdale, Arizona, in an unsolved case involving blunt force trauma.
Movies & TV Shows
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The Twilight Zone (1959) — Disc Jockey (uncredited)
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The Love Boat (1977) — Edward Anderson
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Hogan's Heroes (1965) — Robert Hogan
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Quincy, M.E. (1976) — Dr. Jamison
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Night Gallery (1970) — Ellis Travers
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The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961) — Harry Rogers
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The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) — Self
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The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (1962) — Charlie Lessing
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The Lucy Show (1962) — Bob Crane
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Gus (1976) — Pepper
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Return to Peyton Place (1961) — Peter White (uncredited)
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Ellery Queen (1975) — Jerry Crabtree
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Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (1968) — Self
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Police Woman (1974) — Larry Brooks
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The Hardy Boys / Nancy Drew Mysteries (1977)
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The Last Laugh (2016) — Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
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Love, American Style (1969) — Howard
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Superdad (1973) — Charlie McCready
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The Donna Reed Show (1958)
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The Red Skelton Show (1951) — Col. Hogan
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Man-Trap (1961) — Ralph Turner
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Hollywood Squares (1966) — Self
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The Doris Day Show (1968) — Bob Carter
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The Merv Griffin Show (1962) — Self
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The Mike Douglas Show (1961) — Self
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The Wicked Dreams of Paula Schultz (1968) — Bill Mason
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General Electric Theater (1953)
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The New Interns (1964) — Drunken Prankster at Baby Shower (uncredited)
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Death In Hollywood (1990)
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Patriotism (1972) — Self
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Arsenic and Old Lace (1969) — Mortimer Brewster
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Joe Forrester (1975)
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The Danny Kaye Show (1963) — Self
- Murder in Scottsdale (2003) — Self
- The Bob Crane Show (1975) — Bob Wilcox
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The Pet Set (1971) — Self
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Spencer's Pilots (1976)
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Mitzi & 100 Guys (1975) — Self
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The Delphi Bureau: The Merchant of Death Assignment (1972) — Charlie Taggert
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Bing Crosby Color Christmas Show (1965) — Self/Col. Hogan