Bob Crane
Known for: Acting
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
Series
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Self
1962
Series
The Mike Douglas Show
Self
1961
Series
The Love Boat
Edward Anderson
1977
Series
The Donna Reed Show
1958
Series
The Donna Reed Show
Dr. Dave Kelsey
1958
Series
Hogan's Heroes
Robert Hogan
1965
Series
The Merv Griffin Show
Self
1962
Series
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour
Charlie Lessing
1962
Series
Love, American Style
Howard
1969
Series
Love, American Style
1969
Series
The Twilight Zone
Disc Jockey (uncredited)
1959
Series
The Dick Van Dyke Show
Harry Rogers
1961
Series
The Red Skelton Show
Col. Hogan
1951
Series
The Lucy Show
Bob Crane
1962
Series
Quincy, M.E.
Dr. Jamison
1976
Series
Police Woman
Larry Brooks
1974
Series
Night Gallery
Ellis Travers
1970
Series
The Hardy Boys / Nancy Drew Mysteries
1977
Series
Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
Self
1968
Series
Ellery Queen
Jerry Crabtree
1975
Series
The Danny Kaye Show
Self
1963
Series
The Doris Day Show
Bob Carter
1968
Series
Hollywood Squares
Self
1966
Series
The Pet Set
Self
1971
Series
Joe Forrester
1975
The Barbara McNair Show
Self
1969
Series
Gibbsville
Lawyer
1976
Film
Mitzi & 100 Guys
Self
1975
Series
Spencer's Pilots
1976
The Bob Crane Show
Bob Wilcox
1975
Series
General Electric Theater
1953
Series
General Electric Theater
Harry
1953
Film
The Last Laugh
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
2016
Film
Superdad
Charlie McCready
1973
Film
The Delphi Bureau: The Merchant of Death Assignment
Charlie Taggert
1972
Film
Gus
Pepper
1976
Film
Return to Peyton Place
Peter White (uncredited)
1961
Film
The Wicked Dreams of Paula Schultz
Bill Mason
1968
Film
Death In Hollywood
1990
Film
Man-Trap
Ralph Turner
1961
Film
Arsenic and Old Lace
Mortimer Brewster
1969
Film
The New Interns
Drunken Prankster at Baby Shower (uncredited)
1964
Film
Patriotism
Self
1972
Film
Bing Crosby Color Christmas Show
Self/Col. Hogan
1965
Murder in Scottsdale
Self
2003