
Person
Bob Crane
Acting · 1928–1978 · Waterbury, Connecticut, USA
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.
Known for

The Alfred Hitchcock Hour
Charlie Lessing

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Self

The Mike Douglas Show
Self

The Love Boat
Edward Anderson

The Twilight Zone
Disc Jockey (uncredited)

The Merv Griffin Show
Self

Love, American Style
Howard

Hogan's Heroes
Robert Hogan

Quincy, M.E.
Dr. Jamison

The Donna Reed Show
1958
Filmography
- 2016The Last LaughSelf (archive footage) (uncredited)
- 2003Murder in ScottsdaleSelf
- 1990Death In Hollywood
- 1977The Love BoatEdward Anderson
- 1977The Hardy Boys / Nancy Drew Mysteries
- 1976GibbsvilleLawyer
- 1976Quincy, M.E.Dr. Jamison
- 1976Spencer's Pilots
- 1976GusPepper
- 1975Ellery QueenJerry Crabtree
- 1975Joe Forrester
- 1975Mitzi & 100 GuysSelf
- 1975The Bob Crane ShowBob Wilcox
- 1974Police WomanLarry Brooks
- 1973SuperdadCharlie McCready
- 1972The Delphi Bureau: The Merchant of Death AssignmentCharlie Taggert
- 1972PatriotismSelf
- 1971The Pet SetSelf
- 1970Night GalleryEllis Travers
- 1969Love, American StyleHoward
- 1969The Barbara McNair ShowSelf
- 1969Arsenic and Old LaceMortimer Brewster
- 1968The Doris Day ShowBob Carter
- 1968Rowan & Martin's Laugh-InSelf
- 1968The Wicked Dreams of Paula SchultzBill Mason
- 1966Hollywood SquaresSelf
- 1965Bing Crosby Color Christmas ShowSelf/Col. Hogan
- 1965Hogan's HeroesRobert Hogan
- 1964The New InternsDrunken Prankster at Baby Shower (uncredited)
- 1963The Danny Kaye ShowSelf
- 1962The Lucy ShowBob Crane
- 1962The Tonight Show Starring Johnny CarsonSelf
- 1962The Merv Griffin ShowSelf
- 1962The Alfred Hitchcock HourCharlie Lessing
- 1961The Mike Douglas ShowSelf
- 1961The Dick Van Dyke ShowHarry Rogers
- 1961Man-TrapRalph Turner
- 1961Return to Peyton PlacePeter White (uncredited)
- 1959The Twilight ZoneDisc Jockey (uncredited)
- 1958The Donna Reed Show
- 1953General Electric Theater
- 1951The Red Skelton ShowCol. Hogan
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