Kenneth Washington dead: Star Trek actor dies as tributes paid

Actor Kenneth Washington died, aged 89, last week, it's been announced. He had a decades-long career in the industry, which including making appearances in shows like Star Trek and he had a starring role on Hogan's Heroes.

Kenneth is best known for his role as radio expert Sergeant Richard Baker on CBS sitcom Hogan's Heroes, which ran for six seasons from 1965 to 1971. He joined the cast in the final season, which aired in the US between 1970 and 1971.

He's said to have filled a vacancy in the cast left by Ivan Dixon, who had played Sergeant James Kinchloe in the first five seasons. Kenneth's character took on James' duties as the operator of the radio following his depature.

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The show was set in a prisoner-of-war camp, used as an operations base for espionage, in Germany during World War II. Emmy Award-winning Hogan's Heroes also included the likes of Bob Crane and Werner Klemperer among its main cast.

Kenneth is understood to have been the last surviving main cast of Hogan's Heroes. His co-stars Bob and Werner died in 1978 and 2000, respectively, whilst former cast member Ivan, whose role was replaced by Kenneth's, died in 2008.

The main cast had also included the likes of John Banner, Larry Hovis and Richard Dawson, who died in 1973, 2003 and 2012 respectively. Robert Clary, who had played Corporal Louis LeBeau, more recently died back in 2022.

Kenneth went on to appear in films like Westworld (1973) following his role on the acclaimed show. He's also credited with having been in films such as Changes (1969) in the years since he launched his on-screen acting career in the 1950s.

A year prior to his role on Hogan's Heroes, Kenneth is credited with having appeared on Star Trek. He's said to have played engineer John B. Watkins in the third season episode That Which Survives, which was broadcast in 1969.

In the episode, his character John is among the Enterprise crew members who visit a mysterious abandoned planet. He's said to end up being killed by an individual who guards the planet whilst the crew are investigating it.

According to Variety, who reported on his death earlier today, he earned a college degree from Loyal Marymount University following his acting career. He's said to have later pursued jobs in education after his graduation.

The outlet reports that Kenneth become an instructor at the university, teaching a course that focused on Black actors in film, at one point. He's said to have then taught classes in oral interpretation and speech at Southwest College.

It adds that Kenneth is survived by his wife Alice Marshall, three children, three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. The actor is also survived by his two siblings Johnnie and Aaliyah, the outlet further reported today.

Tributes have been paid to Kenneth following the news of his death. One person wrote on X: "May Kenneth Washington's memory be a blessing. The last of the Hogan’s Heroes actors." Another fan said: "Rest in power, Kenneth Washington. As the last surviving main cast member of Hogan's Heroes, your legacy lives on through decades of television history."

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