Sigrid Valdis

Sigrid Valdis
Sigrid Valdis with future husband Bob Crane on Hogan's Heroes
Born Patricia Annette Olson
(1935-09-21)September 21, 1935
Bakersfield, California, U.S.
Died October 14, 2007(2007-10-14) (aged 72)
Anaheim, California, U.S.
Cause of death Lung cancer
Occupation Actress
Years active 1957–1970
Spouse(s) George Gilbert Ateyeh (1958-1967; his death); 1 child
Bob Crane (1970-1978; his death); 2 children
Children Melissa Smith
Robert Scott Crane
Ana Sarmiento[1]

Patricia Annette Olson (September 21, 1935 – October 14, 2007), known by her stage name Sigrid Valdis, was an American actress. She was best known for playing "Hilda" in the American television series Hogan's Heroes.

Early life and career

Valdis began acting in the late 1950s. She appeared in bit parts in films and guest starred in several television shows including The Wild Wild West and Kraft Television Theatre before landing the role of Hilda, Colonel Klink's secretary, in the sitcom Hogan's Heroes.

Personal life

Valdis was married twice. Her first marriage was to fashion businessman George Gilbert Ateyeh, with whom she had a daughter, Melissa. Ateyeh died in 1967.[1]

Valdis married secondly, on October 16, 1970, to Hogan's Heroes star Bob Crane on the set of the series. Following the birth of their son in 1971, Valdis retired from acting. In 1978, she moved from the Los Angeles area after Crane was murdered.[2]

In 1980, she moved to Seattle, where in 1998 she joined the cast of her son's syndicated weekly sketch comedy radio show, Shaken, Not Stirred. In 2004, she moved back to her childhood home in Westwood.[2] Though no longer using her stage name, she later oversaw a tribute website to her husband, with a blog where she answered questions from fans of her husband and Hogan's Heroes.

Death

Grave of Bob Crane and Sigrid Valdis in Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery

Twice widowed, Valdis died on October 14, 2007, from lung cancer in Anaheim, California, aged 72. She was survived by her two daughters, Melissa Smith and Ana Sarmiento; son, Scott; sister Dale Gudegast and brother-in-law Eric Braeden; and one granddaughter, Robbyn Smith and four grandsons.[3] She had three stepchildren from Crane's earlier marriage to Anne Terzian: Karen, Deborah, and Robert David Crane.[4]

Filmography

Film
Year Film Role Notes
1962 Two Tickets to Paris Young woman Uncredited
1965 Marriage on the Rocks Kitty
1966 Our Man Flint Anna
1967 The Venetian Affair Uncredited
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1964 Kraft Suspense Theatre Ruby 1 episode
1965 The Wild Wild West Miss Piecemeal 2 episodes
1965 Hogan's Heroes Gretchen 1 episode
1966–1971 Hogan's Heroes Hilda 43 episodes

References

  1. 1 2 "Sigrid Valdis: 'Pure vamp' of 'Hogan's Heroes'". The Independent. December 8, 2007. Retrieved 2008-10-16.
  2. 1 2 "'Hogan's Heroes' star Sigrid Valdis dies". USA Today. November 19, 2007. Retrieved 2008-10-16.
  3. ↑ Mclellan, Dennis (November 18, 2007). "Sigrid Valdis, 72; sexy secretary on 'Hogan's Heroes' married its star". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2008-10-16.
  4. ↑ "Bob Crane, 'Hogan's Heroes' Star, Found Slain at Home in Arizona". The New York Times. Associated Press. June 30, 1978.
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