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R.I.P. Curt Lowens, Holocaust survivor, war hero and 'Hogan's Heroes' actor
The fascinating actor appeared on 'Hogan's Heroes' and 'Wonder Woman.'
Curt Lowens, an actor known for playing German officers in film and on television, passed away earlier this week at 91.
Born on Nov. 17, 1925, in East Prussia (currently Poland), Lowens' journey to the United States was marked by tragedy, uncertainty and heroism.
Living in Berlin during the onset of Nazi Germany and World War II, his family's synagogue was destroyed during Kristallnacht in 1938. Lowens' family attempted to flee to England, but were caught in the Netherlands and taken to a concentration camp.
After being released, Lowens adopted a disguise and joined the Dutch Resistance, ultimately saving the lives of 123 Jewish children by delivering them to the families that would hide them. He was just teenager at the time.
Shortly after the war, Lowens came to New York to pursue acting. He quickly obtained roles on Broadway, including one in the original production of Stalag 17 in 1951.
In the 1960s, Lowens began to make guest appearances on television, mostly typecast as German officers. His credits included shows like Combat!, Jericho, Mission: Impossible and Hogan's Heroes, which had a cast comprised of several Jewish actors who had fled the Nazis.
Around the same time, Lowens appeared in Alfred Hitchcock's Torn Curtain (1966) and Arthur Hiller's Tobruk (1967).
Lowens continued his string of television appearances throughout the 1970s and 1980s, appearing on programs like M*A*S*H,Wonder Woman and Battlestar Galactica.
The accomplished character actor stayed active until recently, with his last role being the TV show Legit in 2013.
According to The Hollywood Reporter,Lowens died Monday night at a rehabilitation center in Beverly Hills, California. His wife, Kathy, died last December.
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