Let me paint you a picture. Imagine a New Yorker's map of the United States—New York, New Jersey, a vast desert, and then California. Sounds familiar, right? That same kind of tunnel vision is how many people view the late Bob Crane, the beloved star of the classic TV sitcom Hogan's Heroes from 1965 to 1971. For most, his legacy has been boiled down to that iconic role, his unsolved 1978 murder, and the scandal that followed. But there’s so much more to his story than what meets the eye, and it’s time we take a deeper dive.
Through the Eyes of His Son: A Dual Perspective
For over four decades, Robert Crane, a journalist and Bob Crane's son, has grappled with this one-dimensional portrayal of his father. He tackled this head-on in his 2015 book, Crane: Sex, Celebrity and My Father’s Unsolved Murder, co-written with Christopher Fryer. This powerful memoir not only sheds light on the complexities of Bob Crane’s life but also delves into Robert's own struggles growing up in the Hollywood spotlight. One of the most fascinating aspects of speaking with Robert is the clear duality that emerges when discussing his father—a man who was both light and shadow, joy and turmoil.
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A Playful Spirit: The Fun Side of Bob Crane
When asked about what might surprise people about his father, Robert’s response is both immediate and heartfelt. “Dad was a big kid at heart, and he absolutely loved having fun,” he shares enthusiastically. “For instance, my dad and I created our own pool league. We played with a little rubber ball and short bats in the pool, crafting a full schedule. We named our teams after the baseball teams of the day, back in the fifties and sixties. Each of us had our own team, and we even had our very own World Series! Beyond that, he would take me and my sisters to the park, go down the slide with us, and just enjoy every moment like any big kid would.”
Behind the Curtain: The Complex Side of Bob Crane
Yet, as quickly as Robert paints this joyful picture, there’s another side to Bob Crane that’s equally important. “Here’s the thing,” Robert reflects, “I don’t know if my dad was ever truly meant to be married, even though he was married twice—first to my mom, Anne Terzian, and then to Patty Olson, who played Klink’s secretary on Hogan’s Heroes (currently airing on the MeTV network). The reality is, fidelity wasn’t exactly a priority in my dad’s life. He had a deep love for women, driven partly by his ego and partly by his passion for photography. He loved capturing images of women—with their full consent, I must stress. No hidden cameras, no drugs. Just pure admiration for their beauty and presence.”
“He met women everywhere—on the road while performing in plays or even right in town,” Robert continues. “During the filming of Hogan’s Heroes, plenty of beautiful women visited the set to meet the cast. Dad was in the right place at the right time. His behavior might not fly today, but he genuinely appreciated women—their looks, their demeanor. And again, I want to emphasize that all the photos and films he took were done with the full consent of the women involved.”
Scroll Down for More: Unveiling the Layers of Bob Crane
Please scroll down to uncover even more about the life and legacy of Bob Crane.
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