The world lost a beloved actor and survivor on November 3, 2021, when Robert Clary passed away at the age of ninety-six. The French-born actor was best known for his role as Corporal Louis LeBeau on the popular 1960s sitcom Hogan’s Heroes. But beyond his successful career in Hollywood, Clary was also a survivor of one of the darkest periods in history – the Holocaust.
Clary’s granddaughter, Kim Wright, confirmed his passing to The Hollywood Reporter. She shared that he passed away in his Los Angeles home, leaving behind a legacy of talent and resilience.
Born as Robert Max Widerman in Paris in 1926, Clary was the youngest of fourteen children in an Orthodox Jewish family. He began his entertainment career at the young age of twelve, singing and entertaining audiences. But at the age of sixteen, his life took a tragic turn when he and his family were sent to Auschwitz, a concentration camp where millions of Jews were killed by Hitler’s Nazis.
Despite the odds stacked against him, Clary managed to survive the horrors of Auschwitz for nearly three years. He credited his talent as an entertainer for helping him stay alive, as he would perform for soldiers every other week. But his family was not as fortunate, as they were killed in the gas chambers.
After the war, Clary moved to the United States and continued his career in entertainment. He eventually landed the role of Corporal Louis LeBeau on Hogan’s Heroes, which ran for six seasons from 1965 to 1971. Clary was the last surviving member of the principal cast until his passing in November 2021.
But beyond his successful career in Hollywood, Clary was also a survivor of one of the darkest periods in history. He was a documented Holocaust survivor who refused to let conspiracy theorists and Nazi sympathizers deny his struggle. In a 2015 interview with THR, he spoke out against Holocaust deniers and shared his experiences in Auschwitz.
Clary’s passing is a loss for the entertainment industry and for the world. He will be remembered not only for his talent as an actor, but also for his resilience and bravery as a survivor. His legacy will continue to live on through his work and the impact he made on those who knew him.
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