Kenneth Washington, “Hogan’s Heroes ”Star and Final Surviving Main Cast Member, Dies at 88

Kenneth Washington, ‘Hogan’s Heroes’ Star, Passes Away at the Age of 88

Kenneth Washington, the last surviving main cast member of the iconic show ‘Hogan’s Heroes’, has sadly passed away at the age of 88. Washington, a familiar face on television during the 1960s and ’70s, breathed his last on July 18. The news of his demise was reported by Variety, although no specific cause of death was disclosed.

The late actor made his mark on the popular CBS sitcom when he joined the cast for its final season in 1970. He portrayed the character of Sergeant Richard Baker, breaking barriers as one of the few Black actors with a regular role on a network sitcom at the time. ‘Hogan’s Heroes’, which revolved around a group of Allied prisoners in a prisoner-of-war camp in Nazi Germany during World War II, concluded a year after Washington’s entry into the show.

After his stint on ‘Hogan’s Heroes’, Washington continued to grace the screen with his presence. He appeared in various hit shows such as Star Trek, I Dream of Jeannie, My Three Sons, Marcus Welby, M.D., and The Rockford Files. Notably, he made history as the first and only Black actor to feature in a significant guest role on the 1963 series Petticoat Junction. Furthermore, he showcased his talent in films like the 1973 sci-fi classic Westworld and several TV movies.

Undeniably a versatile talent, Washington’s final on-screen credit was in 1989, in the groundbreaking sitcom ‘A Different World’, where he starred alongside iconic actors like Jasmine Guy and Lisa Bonet. Following his retirement from acting in the 1990s, he delved into academia, obtaining a degree from Loyola Marymount University in L.A. He subsequently ventured into teaching at both Loyola Marymount University and Southwest College, focusing on courses related to speech, oral interpretation, and Black actors in film.

Washington’s personal life was also marked by significant milestones. He was married twice, first to Alyce Loretta Hawkins from 1959 to 1969, and later to journalist Alice Marshall in 2001. He is survived by his wife, his brother Johnnie, his sister Aaliyah Akbar, his children Kim Lee, Kenneth Jr., and Quianna Stokes-Washington, as well as his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Prior to Washington, the last living member of the ‘Hogan’s Heroes’ cast was Robert Clary, who passed away in November 2022 at the age of 96. The legacy of Kenneth Washington lives on through his contributions to television and film, leaving behind a lasting impact on the industry and the audiences he entertained.

The passing of Kenneth Washington marks the end of an era in the entertainment world, as fans and colleagues alike remember his talent and the indelible mark he left on the television landscape. With his groundbreaking roles and dedication to his craft, Washington’s legacy will continue to inspire future generations of actors and audiences alike.