Kenneth Washington, the last main cast member of the CBS sitcom “Hogan’s Heroes,” passed away on July 18, 2025, at the age of 88. Washington died at his residence in Beverly Hills, California, marking the conclusion of an era for the well-known television series. Washington
Born on October 19, 1936, in Ethel, Mississippi, although some sources suggest 1935, Washington relocated with his family to California during his childhood. He grew up in Redwood City and San Francisco, California, before moving to Los Angeles, California, to pursue acting. After obtaining his first screen test, he embarked on a career in television and film that spanned several decades.
Throughout the 1960s, Washington appeared as a guest star on numerous popular television shows, including “Star Trek,” “I Dream of Jeannie,” “My Three Sons,” “The Name of the Game,” “Petticoat Junction,” “Marcus Welby, M.D.,” “Adam-12,” and “Dragnet 1967.” In 1969, he notably portrayed engineer John B. Watkins in the “Star Trek” episode “That Which Survives.”
In 1970, Washington secured his most recognized role as Sergeant Richard Baker on “Hogan’s Heroes,” joining the cast for its final season. The sitcom, set in a World War II prisoner-of-war camp in Nazi Germany, aired 168 episodes over six seasons from 1965 to 1971. Washington took over the spot left by Ivan Dixon, who portrayed Sergeant James Kinchloe in the first five seasons. Nonetheless, CBS canceled the series in 1971, a year after Washington joined.
During the 1970s, Washington continued to work in television, appearing in “The Paul Lynde Show,” “The F.B.I.,” “The Rockford Files,” and “Police Story.” He also appeared in the 1973 science fiction film “Westworld” and various television movies such as “J. Edgar Hoover,” “Money on the Side,” and “Our Family Business.” His television career extended into the 1980s, with one of his last roles in “A Different World” in 1989 alongside Jasmine Guy.
After retiring from acting in the late 1980s, Washington pursued higher education, obtaining a degree from Loyola Marymount University. He later became an instructor at the university, teaching a course on Black actors in film. He also taught oral interpretation and speech at Southwest College.
In 2001, Washington married Alice Marshall, a former editor-in-chief at Wave Newspapers in South Los Angeles, California, and film reviews editor at Variety. At the time of Washington’s death, they had been married for over 20 years.
Washington’s passing represents a notable moment in television history, as he was the last surviving primary cast member of “Hogan’s Heroes.” His co-stars, including Bob Crane, Werner Klemperer, John Banner, Larry Hovis, Richard Dawson, Ivan Dixon, and Robert Clary, had all passed away earlier. The only remaining cast member from the show is Nita Talbot, who played a supporting role as the Russian spy Marya.
Washington is survived by his wife, Alice Marshall; his brother, Johnnie; his sister, Aaliyah Akbar; three children, Kim Lee, Kenneth Jr., and Quianna Stokes-Washington; three grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. His career, which started in the mid-1950s, included an uncredited role in the 1956 romantic comedy “The Birds and the Bees.”
Following his death, tributes appeared on social media, with fans and colleagues acknowledging Washington’s contributions to television and his notable performances across various genres. His work on “Hogan’s Heroes,” “Star Trek,” and “Adam-12” continues to be accessible to new audiences through reruns and streaming services, ensuring his legacy in television history endures for future generations.