Bob Crane
Acting • Born 1928-07-13 – Died 1978-06-29
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.
Filmography
44 credits
Mitzi & 100 Guys
Movie • 1975
Self
The New Interns
Movie • 1964
Drunken Prankster at Baby Shower (uncredited)
Superdad
Movie • 1973
Charlie McCready
Man-Trap
Movie • 1961
Ralph Turner
The Last Laugh
Movie • 2016
Self
The Delphi Bureau: The Merchant of Death Assignment
Movie • 1972
Charlie Taggert
The Wicked Dreams of Paula Schultz
Movie • 1968
Bill Mason
Patriotism
Movie • 1972
Self
Bing Crosby Color Christmas Show
Movie • 1965
Self/Col. Hogan
Gus
Movie • 1976
Pepper
Return to Peyton Place
Movie • 1961
Peter White (uncredited)
Arsenic and Old Lace
Movie • 1969
Mortimer Brewster
Murder in Scottsdale
Movie • 2003
Self
The Love Boat
TV • 1977
Edward Anderson
The Dick Van Dyke Show
TV • 1961
Harry Rogers
The Lucy Show
TV • 1962
Bob Crane
Quincy, M.E.
TV • 1976
Dr. Jamison
The Hardy Boys / Nancy Drew Mysteries
TV • 1977
Hogan's Heroes
TV • 1965
Robert Hogan
Night Gallery
TV • 1970
Ellis Travers
General Electric Theater
TV • 1953
The Twilight Zone
TV • 1959
Disc Jockey (uncredited)
Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
TV • 1968
Self
The Donna Reed Show
TV • 1958
Spencer's Pilots
TV • 1976
The Barbara McNair Show
TV • 1969
Self
The Bob Crane Show
TV • 1975
Bob Wilcox
Joe Forrester
TV • 1975
Hollywood Squares
TV • 1966
Self
General Electric Theater
TV • 1953
Harry
The Donna Reed Show
TV • 1958
Dr. Dave Kelsey
Ellery Queen
TV • 1975
Jerry Crabtree
Police Woman
TV • 1974
Larry Brooks
The Pet Set
TV • 1971
Self
The Doris Day Show
TV • 1968
Bob Carter
Gibbsville
TV • 1976
Lawyer
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour
TV • 1962
Charlie Lessing
The Danny Kaye Show
TV • 1963
Self
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
TV • 1962
Self
Love, American Style
TV • 1969
Howard
Love, American Style
TV • 1969
The Merv Griffin Show
TV • 1962
Self
The Red Skelton Show
TV • 1951
Col. Hogan
The Mike Douglas Show
TV • 1961
Self