Leon Askin
Acting
Leon Askin (Born: September 18, 1907, Vienna, Austria-Hungary (now Austria), Height 6ft [1.83m]) was an Austrian-American actor who enjoyed a successful career in both theater and television. He is best known for his portrayal of General Albert Burkhalter in the hit sitcom "Hogan's Heroes," a role he played for six seasons from 1965 to 1971. Born Leo Aschkenasy in Vienna, Austria, in 1907, Askin developed an interest in acting at a young age. He studied at the Max Reinhardt Seminar, a prestigious acting school in Vienna, and began his career on the stage in the early 1930s. With the rise of the Nazi regime in Germany, Askin, a Jew, was forced to flee Austria in 1938. He emigrated to the United States, where he continued to work in theater. He also began appearing in films and television shows, often playing villainous roles due to his imposing stature and commanding presence. Askin's most famous role came in 1965 when he was cast as General Burkhalter in "Hogan's Heroes." The show, which chronicled the exploits of a group of American prisoners of war running a secret operation from a German POW camp, was a huge success, and Askin became a household name. After "Hogan's Heroes" ended in 1971, Askin continued to work steadily in television and film. He appeared in numerous guest roles on popular shows such as "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," "The Rockford Files," and "Murder, She Wrote." He also had recurring roles on the soap operas "General Hospital" and "Santa Barbara." Askin's film credits include such movies as "The Dirty Dozen," "The Night of the Generals," and "The Boys from Brazil." He also continued to work in theater throughout his career, appearing in both Broadway and off-Broadway productions. Askin remained active in acting well into his later years. He published an autobiography, "Quietude and Quest: Protagonists and Antagonists in the Theatre, on and Off Stage as Seen Through the Eyes of Leon Askin," in 1997. He also received numerous awards for his work, including the Austrian Cross of Honor for Science and Art in 1988 and the Silver Cross of Honor in 1994. Askin died in Vienna in 2005 at the age of 97. He is remembered as one of the most versatile and talented actors of his generation.
Sherlock Holmes and the Deadly Necklace
as Charles
Age 55 (now 97)
What Did You Do in the War, Daddy?
as Colonel Kastorp
Age 58 (now 97)
Black Flamingos - Sie lieben euch zu Tode
Leon Askin - (Über)Leben und Schauspiel. Private Anmerkungen
as Himself
Age 89 (now 97)Die Fernsehsaga – Eine steirische Fernsehgeschichte
as alter Adler
Age 87 (now 97)
The Wicked Dreams of Paula Schultz
as Oscar
Age 60 (now 97)
What Did You Do in the War, Daddy?
as Colonel Kastorp
Age 58 (now 97)
Sherlock Holmes and the Deadly Necklace
as Charles
Age 55 (now 97)
Bis dass das Geld euch scheidet…
as Anwalt Dr. Plauert
Age 53 (now 97)
Mistress of the World - Part II
as Fernando
Age 52 (now 97)
The Peter Tchaikovsky Story
as Anton Rubinstein
Age 51 (now 97)
Medicopter 117 – Jedes Leben zählt
as Francesco Del la Ribiola
Age 90 (now 97)Die Fernsehsaga – Eine steirische Fernsehgeschichte
as alter Adler
Age 89 (now 97)
Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre
Adventures of Superman
as Prime Minister Frederick Vallen
Age 45 (now 97)
Gathering insights...
Also Known As
Leo Aschkenasy
IMDB
nm0039169