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Star Trek actor Kenneth Washington dies at 88: The star was the last living cast member from Hogan’s Heroes

BBG News

Kenneth Washington, a prominent actor known for his roles in films and TV series, passed away at the age of 88 after a long career.

Washington died last week on July 18, according to Variety.

The entertainer stood out as the final surviving actor from the original cast of Hogan’s Heroes, the popular CBS sitcom that depicted life within a prisoner-of-war camp during World War II in Nazi Germany.

Washington appeared as a guest star in numerous prominent television shows such as My Three Sons, the 1967 re-run of Dragnet, Petticoat Junction, The FBI, The Rockford Files, and Police Story, to name a few.

In 1969, I was beyond thrilled when I got the chance to embody a character for a guest appearance on the iconic third season of the original Star Trek series. What an unforgettable experience!

Washington joined Hogan’s Heroes in 1970 for the show’s sixth and final season.

In his role, he portrayed Sergeant Richard Baker, stepping into the gap created by the exit of Ivan Dixon, the other Black actor who played Staff Sergeant James ‘Kinch’ Konloe during the last five seasons.

Although Washington was a main cast member, his part wasn’t as juicy as Dixon’s had been.

The show got canceled after his first season on Hogan’s Heroes, leaving him without the opportunity to further develop the character he played.

In the initial stages, the program garnered impressive viewership numbers, and it managed to secure two Emmy Awards out of twelve nominations throughout its broadcast.

In 1967, during its first NAACP Image Awards ceremony, Hogan’s Heroes was commended for showcasing significant Black characters in prominent roles.

That year, Washington made a special appearance on another program that received recognition at the Image Awards, called Daktari. Later on, he was featured on Star Trek as well, which earned praise for its inclusive casting choices.

In a few movies, Washington occasionally took minor or unacknowledged roles, but he was predominantly recognized for his contributions to television.

In the 1973 sci-fi western thriller Westworld, produced by Michael Crichton, his standout movie performance was that of a technician.

Besides his stint on Hogan’s Heroes, his most enduring TV character was Officer Miller on Adam-12. This recurring role in the well-liked police series continued for eight episodes from 1968 to 1969.

Washington hailed from Ethel, Mississippi, in the year 1936, however, his family didn’t stay long as they quickly moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in California.

In his maturity, Washington developed a passion for acting, prompting him to relocate to sunny Los Angeles, where he could concentrate more on audition opportunities.

In my unyielding devotion, as the curtain began to fall on his illustrious acting journey, I found myself stepping into the hallowed halls of Loyola Marymount University, eager to embark on an academic odyssey and earn my hard-won degree. Fast forward to a time when fate smiled upon me once more, I was humbled to find myself back at the same university, this time not as a student, but as a respected instructor, guiding a new generation of aspiring film enthusiasts – particularly those with African descent – in the captivating world of Black film actors.

According to Variety, Washington was additionally known for instructing courses on oral presentation and elocution at Southwest College in Los Angeles as well.

Previously, Washington was wedded to Alyce Hawkins from 1959 until 1969. Together, they raised three kids, namely Kim Lee, Kenneth Jr., and Quianna Stokes-Washington.

In the year 2001, he tied the knot with Alice Marshall, who had previously served as the editor-in-chief of Wave Newspapers based in Los Angeles and also held the position of a former film critic at Variety.

Washington leaves behind his spouse, his trio of kids, their respective offspring (three), and four great-grandkids. Additionally, he is survived by his sibling Johnnie and sister Aaliyah Akbar.

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2025-07-25 04:34

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