I saw this recently on MeTV – R.I.P. Robert Hogan, the namesake of the Col. Hogan character on Hogan’s Heroes: http://R.I.P. Robert Hogan, the namesake of the Col. Hogan character on Hogan’s Heroes. Longer article.
By MeTV Staff June 2, 2021
Robert Hogan as Colonel Robert Hogan? That sounds like perfect casting, doesn’t it? It nearly happened and there was a good reason for the shared names.
Hogan’s Heroes writer-creator Bernard Fein was a friend of Robert Hogan — he was such a pal that he named the lead character in honor of his actor friend. Fein even pushed to have Hogan play Hogan. However, at the time, Hogan’s resume was a little thin. He had worked some guest roles on The Twilight Zone, 77 Sunset Strip and The Donna Reed Show, as well as soaps like General Hospital. But the network wanted a bigger name. CBS offered the part to Van Johnson. Of course, Bob Crane ended up with the gig.
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R.I.P. Robert Hogan, the namesake of the Col. Hogan character on Hogan’s Heroes
Ups Downs Family History 