Posted on 07/25/2025 2:48:56 AM PDT by Morgana
Kenneth Washington, the film and television actor who appeared on several high-profile shows over multiple decades, has died at 88.
Washington died last week on July 18, according to Variety.
The performer held the sad distinction of being the last living cast member from Hogan's Heroes, the classic CBS sitcom set in a POW camp in Nazi Germany.
Washington had guest roles on major TV series, including My Three Sons, the 1967 revival of Dragnet, Petticoat Junction, The FBI, The Rockford Files and Police Story, among others.
He also held the distinction of playing a guest role on the third and final season of the original Star Trek series in 1969.
Washington joined Hogan's Heroes in 1970 for the show's sixth and final season.
He played Sergeant Richard Baker, who filled the void left by the departure of another Black actor, Ivan Dixon, who had appeared in the previous five seasons as Staff Sergeant James 'Kinch' Kinchloe.
Although Washington was a main cast member, his part wasn't as juicy as Dixon's had been.
He didn't have time to expand the character, as the show was canceled after his first season on Hogan's Heroes.
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RIP. I know that Robert Clary lived close to the century mark.
R.I.P. I remember the original actor, Ivan Dixon.
He did have a couple of lines, however, and his death was dramatic - so not a typical "redshirt" death.
Regards,
Rest In Peace, Kenneth.
Great.
Now I have to parse every dm article headline which claims “Star Trek actor dies” for cameo and red shirt roles.
/s
[dumbass millennials]
I don’t remember him, but it sounds like he joined the cast during the Sunset period of the series.
Similar to certain actors who joined the MASH TV show during it’s very last years. Ivan Dixon, I do recall.
I am for you Kenneth Washington.
How did they explain Kinch leaving?
They didn’t
RIP
I do remember him from Hogan’s Heroes. RIP
Now I’m going to have to go watch the series for the first time since my youth because I can’t recall who it was that he replaced on the show.
Thanks.
In the case of Ivan Dixon, however, they still managed to give him his "day in the limelight" when he performed in a dual role - both as Sgt. Kinchloe and as a crazy African prince who was visiting Stalag 13. And in another hilarious episode, he enjoyed centerstage as a boxer. In plenty of episodes, he was shown to be a super-competent electronics specialist.
Dixon also did a pretty convincing Hitler - over the phone, of course.
Unfortunately, Sgt. Washington was never given even only a single stand-out scene during the entire final season.
Regards,
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