HOUSTON (Reuters) - Actor Larry Hovis, who played Sgt. Carter in the 1960s television series "Hogan's Heroes" and later taught drama at Texas State University, has died of cancer at the age of 67, the school said on Wednesday.

Hovis was best known for his work in "Hogan's Heroes," the long-running comedy about World War II soldiers in a German prison camp, but also had a recurring role in the television show "Gomer Pyle, USMC" and was a creator and performer on "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In."

He got into show business early, forming a musical act with his sister at the age of 5, and went on to become a drummer, singer, comedian, writer, game show producer and stage and television actor, the school said.

He joined the university in the central Texas town of San Marcos in 1990 and taught acting and characterization until his death on Tuesday, the school said.

A memorial service was scheduled for Saturday at the school's Theater Center.

I was so shocked when I heard. Sad news. :(

Now there are only 3 heroes left.

Sad news indeed, I didn't get a death beep regarding Mr. Hovis . Heres more details.


Larry Hovis, who played Sgt. Carter the demolition expert on TV's "Hogan's Heroes" and was a singer, writer and teacher as well as thesp, died Tuesday Sept. 9 at Christopher House -- Hospice Austin after a three-month battle with cancer. He was 67.
He considered himself a singer first throughout his career.

Houston native became a professional entertainer in his teens. He was a singer with the Mascots, a popular Houston quartet in the 1950s, and appeared on Arthur Godfrey's TV show in New York after the singing group won a talent contest. While in Houston, he was also a member of a popular jazz trio and was host of a daytime TV show, "Surprise Party."

He began acting professionally in his early 20s, appearing in numerous stage productions. He began writing songs and was signed to a recording contract with Capitol Records, producing the solo album "My Heart Belongs to Only You."

He then began writing plays and screenplays and, armed with a few scripts and a new standup routine, set out for Hollywood at age 28. He immediately sold the script for beach party/spy spoof "Out of Sight," which gave him enough money to send for his wife, Ann, and their daughter.

Hovis next got a job as a standup comedian in showcase club the Horn in Santa Monica. Within weeks, he was discovered by Richard Linke, best known as Andy Griffiths' producer and manager. He was hired as a regular on "The Gomer Pyle Show," which led to his winning the part of Carter on "Hogan's Heroes," which ran for six years.

Next, he became a writer and performer on "Rowan & Martin's Laugh In." He spent the balance of his career in Hollywood working as an actor, singer and writer. He was head writer and a panelist on gameshow "The Liars Club" and continued to perform as a singer in jazz clubs around Los Angeles. He also toured in the first national roadshow of "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas."

After 30 years in Los Angeles, Hovis and his family moved back to Texas. He began teaching acting at Southwest Texas (now Texas State U.), where he remained for 12 years. He also appeared in and directed numerous stage productions.

He is survived by two daughters and two sons; three grandchildren; his mother; and two sisters and two brothers. His wife predeceased him, also from cancer.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday Sept. 13 at the Texas State U. Theater Building in San Marcos.

Donations are suggested to Christopher House -- Hospice Austin, 4107 Spicewood Springs Road, Suite 100, Austin, TX 78759.

I bet it would have been a blast to have him as a prof. :)

Larry Hovis
John Ritter
Johnny Cash

Will be missed.

i didn't know about Larry Hovis. That's terrible! I just remember Werner Klemperer and Leon Askin. so lets see I know LeBeau is alive and so is Newkirk...is Kinch the other one?

(...) so lets see I know LeBeau is alive and so is Newkirk...is Kinch the other one?Those are the three remaining original Heroes.

Larry was certainly a very nice guy. I have a photo of my friend and him holding up a little sign saying hello to me in my other room. Not many people would take the time for that sort of thing.