Howard Caine was a renowned character actor, born on January 2, 1928, in Nashville, Tennessee. He is best recognized for his iconic portrayal of Gestapo agent Major Wolfgang Hochstetter in the popular television series Hogan's Heroes.
Caine's journey in the world of acting began at the tender age of 13, when he relocated with his family to New York City. He immersed himself in studying acting and worked diligently to perfect his craft, eventually mastering 32 foreign and American dialects.
Prior to his acting career, Caine served in World War II, fighting against the Japanese in the Pacific theater as a member of the United States Navy. Following his military service, he attended The School of Drama at Columbia University, where he graduated summa cum laude.
Caine's impressive acting repertoire includes a wide range of stage and screen appearances. He made his Broadway debut in Wonderful Town, followed by notable performances in Inherit the Wind, Lunatics and Lovers, and Tiger at the Gates. He also succeeded Ray Walston as "Mr. Applegate" in the original production of Damn Yankees.
On the big screen, Caine appeared in films such as From the Terrace, Pay or Die, Judgment at Nuremberg, Brushfire, The Man from the Diner's Club, Pressure Point, and Alvarez Kelly. He co-starred with Godfrey Cambridge and Estelle Parsons in the 1970 film Watermelon Man and was a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science.
Throughout his illustrious career, Caine acted in over 750 live and filmed television programs, including the 1961 episode "The Vials" of the western series Two Faces West. He may be best remembered for his iconic role as Major Hochstetter on Hogan's Heroes, which aired from 1965.
In addition to his acting pursuits, Caine was an accomplished musician and banjo player. He began mastering the Appalachian five-string banjo in the mid-1960s and went on to take trophies at 29 prominent banjo and fiddle contests in the Southland for both Best Traditional Banjo and Traditional Singing. He was also a popular folk singer and performer, appearing at numerous folk clubs and festivals.
Caine's remarkable life and career came to a close on December 28, 1993. His legacy continues to inspire and entertain audiences to this day.
