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Biography
Robert Edward "Bob" Crane
Bob Crane starring as Col. Hogan
Born
July 13, 1928
Waterbury, Connecticut, USA
Died
June 29, 1978
Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
Robert Edward Crane (July 13, 1928 – June 29, 1978) was an American disc jockey and actor who starred as Colonel Robert Hogan in the television sitcom Hogan's Heroes from 1965 to 1971. He was nominated for two Emmy Awards for his work on that show. His 1978 murder remains officially unsolved. The resulting investigation brought to public light the double life that Crane had been leading for years as an amateur pornographer and sex addict.
Biography
Crane was born in Waterbury, Connecticut. He dropped out of high school and became a drummer, performing with dance bands and a symphony orchestra. In 1949 he married his high school sweetheart; they eventually had three children. In 1956, he moved his family to California and started his radio career.
Crane's interest turned to acting, and at the age of 33 he began his acting career. He soon was a regular on The Donna Reed Show during the 1963 – 1965 seasons. On The Dick Van Dyke Show he played a character named "Harry" who tried out for the role of Marc Anthony in a community play. The character for which he is best known is "Colonel Robert Hogan", the lead role in Hogan's Heroes. Crane landed parts in a few feature films (Superdad) but had no breakout roles.
According to an A&E Network program on the subject, Crane had tired of his libertine lifestyle and wished to resume leading a more normal life. Since this would have meant cutting off his relationship with Carpenter, this decision of Crane's was presumed to be the motive for the murder. As Carpenter was acquitted, both the murderer and the motive remain officially open questions.
Selected filmography
Man-Trap (1961)
The Donna Reed Show (1958 - 1966) (TV series)
Hogan's Heroes (1965 - 1971) (TV series)
The Wicked Dreams of Paula Schultz (1968)
Superdad (1973)
The Bob Crane Show (1975) (TV series)
Gus (1976)
