‘Hogan’s Heroes’ star Robert Clary, born Robert Max Widerman, died at 96 in his Beverly Hills home due to natural causes on Wednesday. The French-born American actor also featured in soap operas, including Days of Our Lives (1972 to 1987) and The Bold and the Beautiful (1990 to 1992).
He was part of the people that experienced World War II. Due to his Jewish ancestry, he was deported to the Nazi concentration camp in Poland. His skill as a singer in a French radio station before his deportation didn’t go to waste. He sang to an audience of the Schutzstaffel Soldiers (SS) every Sunday with an accordionist.
His niece, Brenda Hancock, spoke about his wartime experience and how he didn’t let it affect him. According to her, he didn’t let those horrors defeat him. It’s sad to see a legend like Robert Clary of the Hogan heroes dead. However, he lived to spread joy to others.
R.I.P. 💔Robert Clary passed away peacefully at his home this morning, Wednesday November 16, 2022. He was 96 yrs. old.Robert was best known for his portrayal of Corporal Louis Lebeau. He was the last living member from the original cast of Hogan’s Heroes. pic.twitter.com/NXNwYdQs7M
— Judianna (@Judianna) November 16, 2022
Hogan Heroes’ Robert Clary Loved Painting and Dancing Before He Died
His niece further explained that the deceased star actor tried to spread love to everyone through his singing and dancing. She added that he preached a message of love without allowing hatred to take away the beauty of the world.
Before Robert Clary was confirmed dead, he was the last surviving star of Hogan Heroes, where he played Cpl. Louis LeBeau. The show lasted from 1965-1971.
Clary’s Career Kicked-off as a Singer
Before dead Robert Clary’s career as an actor in Hogan Heroes, he was first a singer at a nightclub. He proceeded to feature in musicals like “Irma La Douce,” and “Cabaret.”
In 2014, he appeared in an interview to state that he enjoyed his musical career. He revealed that he gets to the theatre at quarter past 8 to set things in order for his performance.
The actor’s wartime experience didn’t circulate until 1980. A documentary about his childhood and years of horror at Nazi hands, “Robert Clary, A5714: A Memoir of Liberation,” was released in 1985.
