Biography for
Robert Clary More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

1 March 1926, Paris, France

Birth Name

Robert Max Widerman

Height

5' 1" (1.55 m)

Mini Biography

Born in France, Robert Clary early suffered the pangs of war, being interned in a Nazi concentration camp as a child. After WWII he became a singing star in France, and in 1949 came to the United States to promote his career. He appeared on "The Ed Wynn Show" (1949); still learning English he performed in a French language comedy skit. His comedic skills were recognized by Broadway, where he appeared in several revues, including one which moved from theater to film, New Faces (1954). In the 1950's he was a game show regular, and then in 1965 he became Corporal Louis LeBeau in "Hogan's Heroes" (1965). Later film roles were based around WWII, such as Remembrance of Love (1982) (TV) about Holocaust survivors. More recently he returned to television series, joining "Days of Our Lives" (1965) and appearing in "The Young and the Restless" (1973).

IMDb Mini Biography By: Bruce Cameron

Spouse

Natalie Cantor Metzger

(1965 - 1997) (her death)

Trivia

Son-in-law of Eddie Cantor and Ida Tobias Cantor.

Has a tattoo on his left forearm, "A5714," from his time in a German concentration camp during WWII.

Was the youngest of 14 children; most of whom died in the Nazi concentration camps.

Began singing professionally at the age of 12.

He moved to the US in 1949 and found work in nightclubs, then made a name for himself in the Broadway show "New Faces of 1952."

Brother-in-law of Marjorie Cantor, Edna Cantor McHugh, Marilyn Cantor Baker and Janet Cantor Gari.

Best remembered by the public for his role as "Corporal LeBeau" in the television series "Hogan's Heroes" (1965).

Was good friends with Werner Klemperer (Colonel Klink from "Hogan's Heroes" (1965)), even after the show had been canceled, and until Werner's death.

During most of the filming of the first season of "Hogan's Heroes" (1965), Robert became frustrated with the smallness of the part he was playing. At one point, he wanted to leave the show altogether, but something a director said to him made change his mind.

Clary, having been in a concentration camp, has a tattoo on his arm, which, if you notice, is the reason why in "Hogan's Heroes" (1965) he is the only one who never wears short sleeves/goes sleeveless.

Clary and Larry Hovis (Andrew Carter on "Hogan's Heroes" (1965), former singer) would sing together between shots.

Personal Quotes

Summing up his Holocaust experiences: "The whole experience was a complete nightmare, the way they treated us, what we had to do to survive. We were less than animals. Sometimes I dream about those days. I wake up in a sweat terrified for fear I'm about to be sent away to a concentration camp. But I don't hold a grudge because that's a great waste of time. Yes, there's something dark in the human soul. For the most part human beings are not very nice. That's why when you find those who are, you cherish them."

Where Are They Now

(December 2001) Retired from acting and gives lectures about the Holocaust.

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