Last Surviving Cast Member of 'Hogan's Heroes' Passes Away at 89
Kenneth Washington, best known for his starring role on CBS's classic sitcom Hogan's Heroes, passed away on July 18. At the time of his death, the late actor was 89-years-old.
Born on October 19, 1935, Washington first entered the entertainment industry in the mid 1950s.
Though he occasionally ventured into film with movies like the Jerry Lewis comedy Hook, Line & Sinker or 1973's Westworld, the actor would become more readily known for his roles on television, including guest appearances in Star Trek, Petticoat Junction and I Dream of Jeannie.
After making his television debut on the family drama Daktari, Washington went to make eight appearances as police officer Miller in the NBC police drama, Adam-12. Following this, he was cast in a lead role in CBS's Hogan's Heroes, a fan-favorite sitcom following a group of WW2 Allied POWs in an Axis prison camp.
In the context of the show, Washington portrayed the character of Sergeant Richard Baker. Succeeding Staff Sergeant James "Kinch" Kinchloe's place after actor Ivan Dixon left the series following its fifth season, Baker acted as the main underground radio operator of the camp and Colonel Robert Hogan's (Bob Crane) de facto second in command.
Sadly, Washington's role in the series would last for only a single year, with CBS electing to cancel Hogan's Heroes after its sixth season aired on the network.
Following his time on the series, Washington continued to work in television for the remaining two decades, guest starring in episodes of Police Story, The Rockford Files and A Different World before his retirement in 1989.
On July 18, he was found to have passed away at his home in Beverly Hills, California.
Washington is survived by his wife Alice Marshall; his siblings Johnnie and Aaliyah Akbar; his three children (Kim Lee, Kenneth Jr. and Quianna Stokes-Washington); his three grandchildren; and his four great-grandchildren.
Last Surviving Cast Member of 'Hogan's Heroes' Passes Away at 89 first appeared on Parade on Jul 24, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
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