Leon Askin Quotes

A collection of quotes by Leon Askin.

Born in Vienna, Austria in 1907, Leon Askin was a renowned Austrian-American actor and director. He gained international recognition for his portrayal of the character "General Burkhalter" in the popular television series "Hogan's Heroes." Askin first embarked on a career in the entertainment industry as a cabaret singer and eventually became a successful theater actor in Austria. However, due to rising anti-Semitism and the outbreak of World War II, he was forced to flee his home country in 1938.

Arriving in the United States, Askin continued his acting career and made his Broadway debut in 1942. Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, he appeared in numerous films, often cast as a villain due to his strong European accent. His notable film credits include "Houseboat" (1958), "The Robe" (1953), and "The Benny Goodman Story" (1956).

However, it was his role as the bumbling German general in "Hogan's Heroes," which aired from 1965 to 1971, that became his most well-known and beloved. Askin's portrayal of General Burkhalter, alongside the main cast, brought humor and satire to the otherwise serious setting of a World War II prisoner-of-war camp.

Leon Askin continued to act in both television and film throughout his career, accumulating over 100 credits to his name. He also ventured into directing theater productions, including the notable production of "Fiddler on the Roof" in Vienna. Askin passed away in 2005 at the age of 97, leaving behind a legacy of memorable performances and contributions to the entertainment industry.