Howard Caine

Howard Caine (January 2, 1928 – December 28, 1993) was a versatile character actor best remembered for his role as Major Wolfgang Hochstetter, the Gestapo agent in the beloved television series Hogan's Heroes. Born Howard Cohen in Nashville, Tennessee, he moved to New York City at the age of 13 to pursue his passion for acting, where he honed his craft and learned to master an impressive array of 32 dialects.

Caine served in the United States Navy during World War II, participating in combat in the Pacific theater. After the war, he attended Columbia University's School of Drama, graduating with honors. His stage career flourished on Broadway, where he appeared in productions such as Wonderful Town, Inherit the Wind, and Damn Yankees, taking over the role of Mr. Applegate from Ray Walston.

In addition to his stage work, Caine had a prolific film career, featuring in notable films like Judgment at Nuremberg (1961) and Watermelon Man (1970). Throughout his lifetime, he performed in over 750 television shows, with memorable appearances in series such as Two Faces West and Helter Skelter, where he portrayed a character based on Charles Manson's attorney.

Beyond acting, Caine was passionate about music, particularly the five-string banjo, which he began to master in the mid-1960s. He won numerous awards in banjo and fiddle contests and was an active folk singer, performing at various festivals and clubs until his passing in 1993.