Werner Klemperer and Kim Hamilton’s interesting relationship.

Werner Klemperer is best known for his lovable character of Colonel Whilhelm Klink on the television series HOGAN’s HEROES. Klemperer was a German Jew born on March 22, 1920 and he died on December 6, 2000. He was a stage actor and singer who twice won the Primetime Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in 1968 and 1969. Werner Klemperer shared his Jewish herritage with cast mates John Banner (Sergeant Feldwebel Hans Georg Schultz) , Leon Askin (General der Infanterie Albert Burkhalter), Howard Caine , (Major Wolfgang Hochstetter), and Robert Clary as French Army Corporal Louis LeBeau.

One role that received the least press and probably was one of his greatest accomplishments was his relationship with actress Kim Hamilton who was African American. The couple were together for 2 decades before getting married and sadly Klemperer died only 3 years later. This relationship was during a time when mixed marriages were not accepted as they are today. The couple probably had additional challenges because they were dealing with his being Jewish and her being African American. Together as a married couple, they gave the world something above and beyond their talents and achievements which were many.

Klemperer continued acting in minor roles was HOGANS HEROES wrapped up in 1971. He was, however, typecast and offered many Colonel Klink type roles, all of which he turned down. He relented, however, and did a voice over of his popular character on an episode of THE SIMPSONS. Werner Klemperer was an accomplished violinist as well as a conductor with the Buffalo Orchestra, as a narrator with nearly every major symphony orchestra in the United States. He was awarded a Tony nomination for his supporting role in the acclaimed 1988 revival of Cabaret.

Kim Hamilton was an artist, director. writer, and actress. She was born Dorothy Mae Aiken; on September 12, 1932, and passed away on September 16, 2013. . Her name may not be familiar but her face probably is from her many projects. She had roles in THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD, BODY AND SOUL, and THE WILD ANGELS. Hamilton's career began in the early 1950s and continued until 2010. The actress was in the 1959 film noir ODDS AGAINST TOMORROW opposite Harry Belafonte and ZIM and THE LEECH WOMAN both in 1960.

Kim Hamilton was one of the first African-American actors to appear on the NBC daytime drama DAYS OF OUR LIVES. She was the only African-American to ever have a speaking role on the popular sitcom Leave It to Beaver. Hamilton appeared in more than 60 television series and TV films throughout her career. She guest-starred in an episode of THE TWILIGHT ZONE titled "The Big Tall Wish, co-starring with Klemperer's HOGAN'S HEROES'castmate Ivan Dixon. She also portrayed a high-school librarian on two episodes of MY THREE SONS in 1963 and 1964.

Hamilton had roles on SANFORD AND SON and the soaps GUIDING LIGHT, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, and GENERAL HOSPITAL. Hamilton's last television credit was an episode of the ABC series PRIVATE PRACTICE in 2008. In December of 2007, Columbia University and the Harlem community honored Hamilton with a Life Achievement Award. Against all odds Klemperer and Hamilton were able to remain together as a Hollywood couple for more than 20 years. They also continued with their respective careers and this speaks volumes.

There are no recorded conversations of the could discussing their life together or why they waited so long to marry. It may have had to do with intolerance of their union or something totally unrelated. Klemperer had to deal with attitudes because he was a German Jew, and Hamilton dealt with discrimination because she was a woman, black, and an African American female. Together they faced indifference because they dared to be together. In the cover photo, they truly seem to be in love and the bottom line is that is all that really matters.