Book Review: "From the Holocaust to Hogan's Heroes" by Robert Clary

From the Holocaust to Hogan's Heroes: The Autobiography of Robert Clary by Robert Clary
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Amazon Book Description

Robert Clary (born Robert Max Widerman in Paris in 1926) is best known for his portrayal of the spirited Corporal Louis Lebeau on the popular television series Hogan's Heroes (on the air from 1965 to 1971 and widely syndicated around the globe).

But it is Clary's experiences as a Jew during the Holocaust that infuse his compelling memoir with an honest recognition of life's often horrific reality, a recognition that counters his glittering five-decade career as an actor, singer, and artist and distinguishes this book from those by other entertainers.

Clary describes his childhood in Paris, the German occupation in 1940, and his deportation in 1942 at the age of sixteen to the infamous transit camp Drancy. He recounts his nightmarish, two-and-a-half-year incarceration in Nazi concentration camps like Ottmuth, Blechhammer, Gross-Rosen, and Buchenwald.

In April 1945, the Allies liberated Clary and other inmates. But the news that his parents, two sisters, two half-sisters, and two nephews had not survived the Nazis' genocidal campaign against the Jews reduced his joy to grief. After the war, Clary made his way to the United States and, against great odds, achieved fame on Broadway and in Hollywood.
From the Holocaust to Hogan's Heroes is Robert Clary's extraordinary account of his remarkable life both as a survivor and as an entertainer. Once read, it will not be forgotten.



For those who are only familiar with Robert Clary from his role as Corporal Lebeau on the TV series, Hogan's Heroes, this book will shed so much light on his life before and during the Holocaust as well as throughout his career in the US following the end of the war.

Robert Clary was born Robert Max Widerman in 1926 in Paris, France. Living in occupied France during World War II, he was part of the round-up of French Jews after a neighbor reported to the Vichy police that there were still Jews living in their neighborhood. He survived 2 1/2 years in various concentration camps in many ways through his talent as a performer and his ability to keep up his morale as well as those with whom he was surrounded in the camps. He lost his parents, siblings and other family members but he didn't lose his will to live and to make something of himself. After the end of the war and being repatriated in Paris, he picked up his life of show business. The travel to the US and his friendship and guidance of Merv Griffin as well as how he landed the role in Hogan's Heroes is covered in rich detail. He discusses his thoughts on being in a sitcom about The Nazis and he also shares some interesting facts about the cast members including John Banner, Sgt. Schultz, who also lost many of his family during the Holocaust. There are so many fascinating aspects to Robert Clary's life that are shared in his autobiography including his recording career.

Later in his life Robert Clary began to speak of his time during the Holocaust and in his retirement years he frequently went to High Schools and other venues to speak and share his experiences during the war with students. He met and married singer Eddie Cantor's daughter Natalie. He is the last remaining living member of the cast of Hogan's Heroes.