"I love everything I did. To have people liking me was rewarding. Television, theater, nightclubs; I was in heaven every night."

    About This Interview

    In his two-hour interview, Robert Clary (1926-2022) talks about his early life, and his harrowing experience being placed in a concentration camp during World War II, where he lost most of his immediate family, including his parents. He describes being liberated from Buchenwald in 1945, after which he began a recording career in France, moved to America, and eventually settled in Los Angeles. He recounts his friendship with Eddie Cantor, who got him his start in the U.S., and his early television appearances, including The Garry Moore Show. He discusses at length co-starring as “LeBeau” on the German POW sitcom Hogan’s Heroes, detailing his feelings about appearing in a World War II comedy, the production schedule, and working with the cast, including star Bob Crane. Clary outlines his later career in daytime drama, including roles on Days of Our Lives, The Young and the Restless, and The Bold and the Beautiful. He speaks of his eventual decision to discuss his experiences during the Holocaust, and recounts his work with the Shoah Foundation. He sums up with advice to an aspiring actor, career achievements and regrets, and how he met his wife, Natalie. Amy Harrington conducted the interview on March 2, 2018 in Beverly Hills, CA.

    All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.
    People Talking About ...
    Thumbnail of Robert Clary

    Robert Clary on how Hogan's Heroes was vastly different from his own real life World War II experience, and more on his character, "LeBeau"

    05:25
    Thumbnail of Robert Clary

    Robert Clary on being liberated from Buchenwald in 1945

    02:21
    Thumbnail of Robert Clary

    Robert Clary on dealing with his fame from Hogan's Heroes, and on singing Stephen Sondheim

    03:57
    Thumbnail of Robert Clary

    Robert Clary on performing on the early days of television, and on appearing in "New Faces of 1952"

    02:17
    Thumbnail of Robert Clary

    Robert Clary on going to live in Los Angeles, and on his friendship with Eddie Cantor

    02:44
    Thumbnail of Robert Clary

    Robert Clary on appearing in various features, and on working with Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas

    02:33
    Play Full Interview

    Chapter 1

    On his early life and influences; on being placed in a concentration camp with this family during World War II; on being liberated from Buchenwald in 1945

    12:37

    On becoming a performer after World War II; on going to live in Los Angeles, and on his friendship with Eddie Cantor; on performing on the early days of television, and on appearing in "New Faces of 1952," and on The Garry Moore Show

    13:53

    On being cast as "LeBeau" on Hogan's Heroes; on his family; on shooting Hogan's Heroes in color and working with the cast and creative team; on how Hogan's Heroes was received when it first aired, and on his character, "LeBeau"

    07:36

    On how Hogan's Heroes was vastly different from his own real life World War II experience, and more on his character, "LeBeau"; on singing on Hogan's Heroes, and on Days of Our Lives; on the production of the show

    07:44

    On working with Bob Crane as "Col. Hogan" on Hogan's Heroes, and the rest of the cast; on working with the creators and directors of Hogan's Heroes, including Edward H. Feldman; on dealing with his fame from the show, and on singing (and being praised by) Stephen Sondheim

    11:36

    On the end of Hogan's Heroes in 1971; on the international popularity of Hogan's Heroes, and on the legacy of the show

    03:32

    Chapter 2

    On appearing on The Al Jarvis Show, and on working with Betty White; on appearing on Days of Our Lives, The Young and the Restless, and The Bold and the Beautiful; on what he likes about acting, and on his acting process

    10:55

    On his painting; on his eventual decision to share his and his family's Holocaust story; on appearing on The Merv Griffin Show, and on his personal friendship with Griffin

    08:45

    On his work speaking about the Holocaust for the Shoah Foundation, and on being the subject of the documentary "Robert Clary A5714: A Memoir of Liberation"; on his talk show, A Conversation with Robert Clary, and on appearing in various feature films; on how the industry has changed since he started; on being in Dallas when John F. Kennedy was assassinated

    07:18

    On his mentor, Eddie Cantor, advice to an aspiring actor, and career achievements and regrets; on how he would like to be remembered; on then-current shows he watches, and on having been a clue on Jeopardy!

    05:38

    On his courtship of his wife, Natalie Cantor Metzger; on appearing on Stump the Stars (originally Mike Stokey's Pantomime Quiz), and on appearing in various plays; on the value of the Shoah Foundation interviews, and on his book

    11:02

    Conversation with Robert Clary, A

    Robert Clary on his talk show, A Conversation with Robert Clary

    00:47

    Days of Our Lives

    Robert Clary on singing on Hogan's Heroes, and on Days of Our Lives

    01:20

    Robert Clary on being cast as "Robert LeClair" on Days of Our Lives, and on the character

    02:39

    Robert Clary on adjusting to the production schedule of Days of Our Lives, and on the cast of the show

    01:46

    Robert Clary on his character's storylines on Days of Our Lives

    01:07

    Garry Moore Show, The

    Robert Clary on appearing on The Garry Moore Show

    02:15

    Hogan's Heroes

    Robert Clary on being cast as "LeBeau" on Hogan's Heroes

    02:46

    Robert Clary on his family, and on shooting Hogan's Heroes in color and working with the cast and creative team

    03:03

    Robert Clary on how Hogan's Heroes was received when it first aired, and on his character, "LeBeau"

    01:47

    Robert Clary on how Hogan's Heroes was vastly different from his own real life World War II experience, and more on his character, "LeBeau"

    05:28

    Robert Clary on singing on Hogan's Heroes, and on Days of Our Lives

    01:20

    Robert Clary on the production of Hogan's Heroes

    00:58

    Robert Clary on working with Bob Crane as "Col. Hogan" on Hogan's Heroes

    00:49

    Robert Clary on working with the cast of Hogan's Heroes

    02:42

    Robert Clary on working with the creators and directors of Hogan's Heroes, including Edward H. Feldman

    04:08

    Robert Clary on dealing with his fame from Hogan's Heroes, and on singing Stephen Sondheim

    03:57

    Robert Clary on the end of Hogan's Heroes in 1971

    02:23

    Robert Clary on the international popularity of Hogan's Heroes, and on the legacy of the show

    01:09

    Jeopardy!

    Robert Clary on then-current shows he watches, and on having been a clue on Jeopardy!

    01:40

    Merv Griffin Show, The

    Robert Clary on appearing on The Merv Griffin Show, and on his personal friendship with Griffin

    01:50

    Mike Stokey's Pantomime Quiz aka Stump the Stars

    Robert Clary on appearing on Stump the Stars (originally Mike Stokey's Pantomime Quiz), and on playing Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec on stage

    03:00

    Young and the Restless, The

    Robert Clary on appearing on The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful

    02:29

    Advice

    Robert Clary on advice to an aspiring actor

    01:09

    Characters & Catchphrases

    Robert Clary on his character, "LeBeau," on Hogan's Heroes

    07:15

    Creative Influences and Inspiration

    Robert Clary on his mentor, Eddie Cantor

    00:33

    Historic Events and Social Change

    Robert Clary on being placed in a concentration camp with this family during World War II

    04:48

    Robert Clary on being liberated from Buchenwald in 1945

    02:21

    Robert Clary on how Hogan's Heroes was vastly different from his own real life World War II experience, and more on his character, "LeBeau"

    05:25

    Robert Clary on his eventual decision to share his and his family's story of being placed in a concentration camp during World War II

    05:28

    Robert Clary on his work speaking about the Holocaust for the Shoah Foundation, and on being the subject of the documentary "Robert Clary A5714: A Memoir of Liberation"

    02:10

    Robert Clary on being in Dallas when John F. Kennedy was assassinated

    01:07

    JFK Assassination and Funeral

    Robert Clary on being in Dallas when John F. Kennedy was assassinated

    01:07

    Pivotal Career Moments

    Robert Clary on his mentor, Eddie Cantor

    00:33

    Pop Culture

    Robert Clary on his character, "LeBeau," on Hogan's Heroes

    07:15

    Television Industry

    Robert Clary on how the industry has changed since he started

    00:41

    Robert Clary on advice to an aspiring actor

    01:09

    War

    Robert Clary on being placed in a concentration camp with this family during World War II

    04:48

    Robert Clary on being liberated from Buchenwald in 1945

    02:21

    Robert Clary on how Hogan's Heroes was vastly different from his own real life World War II experience, and more on his character, "LeBeau"

    05:25

    Robert Clary on his eventual decision to share his and his family's story of being placed in a concentration camp during World War II

    05:28

    Robert Clary on his work speaking about the Holocaust for the Shoah Foundation, and on being the subject of the documentary "Robert Clary A5714: A Memoir of Liberation"

    02:10

    World War II

    Robert Clary on being placed in a concentration camp with this family during World War II

    04:48

    Robert Clary on being liberated from Buchenwald in 1945

    02:21

    Robert Clary on how Hogan's Heroes was vastly different from his own real life World War II experience, and more on his character, "LeBeau"

    05:25

    Robert Clary on his eventual decision to share his and his family's story of being placed in a concentration camp during World War II

    05:28

    Robert Clary on his work speaking about the Holocaust for the Shoah Foundation, and on being the subject of the documentary "Robert Clary A5714: A Memoir of Liberation"

    02:10

    Actor

    Robert Clary on what he likes about acting, and on his process for acting

    01:49

    Robert Clary on advice to an aspiring actor

    01:09

    Performers

    Robert Clary on what he likes about acting, and on his process for acting

    01:49

    Robert Clary on advice to an aspiring actor

    01:09

    Comedy Series

    Robert Clary on being cast as "LeBeau" on Hogan's Heroes

    30:31

    Daytime/Primetime Serials

    Robert Clary on appearing on Days of Our Lives

    05:32

    Robert Clary on appearing on The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful

    02:29

    Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials

    Robert Clary on appearing on The Garry Moore Show

    02:16

    Talk Shows

    Robert Clary on appearing on The Merv Griffin Show, and on his personal friendship with Griffin

    01:50

    Eddie Cantor

    Robert Clary on going to live in Los Angeles, and on his friendship with Eddie Cantor

    02:43

    Robert Clary on his mentor, Eddie Cantor

    00:33

    Bob Crane

    Robert Clary on working with Bob Crane as "Col. Hogan" on Hogan's Heroes

    00:49

    Richard Dawson

    Robert Clary on working with the cast of Hogan's Heroes: Richard Dawson

    00:21

    Kirk Douglas

    Robert Clary on appearing in various features, and on working with Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas

    02:33

    Merv Griffin

    Robert Clary on appearing on The Merv Griffin Show, and on his personal friendship with Griffin

    01:50

    Al Jarvis

    Robert Clary on appearing on The Al Jarvis Show, and on working with Betty White

    01:04

    Werner Klemperer

    Robert Clary on working with the cast of Hogan's Heroes: Werner Klemperer and John Banner

    01:36

    Burt Lancaster

    Robert Clary on appearing in various features, and on working with Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas

    02:33

    Garry Moore

    Robert Clary on appearing on The Garry Moore Show

    02:14

    Stephen Sondheim

    Robert Clary on dealing with his fame from Hogan's Heroes, and on singing Stephen Sondheim

    03:57

    Mike Stokey

    Robert Clary on appearing on Stump the Stars (originally Mike Stokey's Pantomime Quiz), and on playing Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec on stage

    03:00

    Betty White

    Robert Clary on appearing on The Al Jarvis Show, and on working with Betty White

    01:04

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