Hollywood Film Industry Figure. He gained fame as an American television producer and writer, screenwriter, actor, and director. He was best remembered for his role as Pvt. Gomez on "Sergeant Bilko" from 1955 to 1959 for 137 episodes and as the co-creator of the hit World War II television sitcom, "Hogan's Heroes" from 1965 to 1971 with Albert S. Ruddy. Born in West Orange, New Jersey and raised in New York City, Fein began his entertainment career as an actor in the early 1940s, appearing in the B-movie film serial, "Spy Smasher" in 1942. He had his big break in 1955 in the role of Pvt. Gomez in "Sergeant Bilko." He also guest-starred on various TV shows throughout the 1950s and 1960s, including "The Untouchables," "Lawman," "The Twilight Zone," "The F.B.I.," "77 Sunset Strip," "Alfred Hitchcock Presents," "Perry Mason," and "Sea Hunt," among others. His films included "The Rise and Fall of Legs Diamond" and "The Facts of Life" both in 1960, "Man-Trap" and "Pocketful of Miracles" both in 1961, "Robin and the 7 Hoods" in 1964, and "Body Fever" in 1969. Inspired by the film "Stalag 17" in 1953, Fein and Albert S. Ruddy came up with the idea for "Hogan's Heroes." Premiering on CBS on September 17, 1965 with the episode, "The Informer," with Bing Crosby Productions as the production company, it was an instant hit among TV audiences, making a star out of Bob Crane. His responsibilities on "Hogan's Heroes" were writing episodes and being an associate producer on set. By the mid-1970s, he was inactive from entertainment.
Hollywood Film Industry Figure. He gained fame as an American television producer and writer, screenwriter, actor, and director. He was best remembered for his role as Pvt. Gomez on "Sergeant Bilko" from 1955 to 1959 for 137 episodes and as the co-creator of the hit World War II television sitcom, "Hogan's Heroes" from 1965 to 1971 with Albert S. Ruddy. Born in West Orange, New Jersey and raised in New York City, Fein began his entertainment career as an actor in the early 1940s, appearing in the B-movie film serial, "Spy Smasher" in 1942. He had his big break in 1955 in the role of Pvt. Gomez in "Sergeant Bilko." He also guest-starred on various TV shows throughout the 1950s and 1960s, including "The Untouchables," "Lawman," "The Twilight Zone," "The F.B.I.," "77 Sunset Strip," "Alfred Hitchcock Presents," "Perry Mason," and "Sea Hunt," among others. His films included "The Rise and Fall of Legs Diamond" and "The Facts of Life" both in 1960, "Man-Trap" and "Pocketful of Miracles" both in 1961, "Robin and the 7 Hoods" in 1964, and "Body Fever" in 1969. Inspired by the film "Stalag 17" in 1953, Fein and Albert S. Ruddy came up with the idea for "Hogan's Heroes." Premiering on CBS on September 17, 1965 with the episode, "The Informer," with Bing Crosby Productions as the production company, it was an instant hit among TV audiences, making a star out of Bob Crane. His responsibilities on "Hogan's Heroes" were writing episodes and being an associate producer on set. By the mid-1970s, he was inactive from entertainment.
Bio by: J. Wilson
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