Hogan’s Heroes star Cynthia Lynn died Monday night at the age of 76. She was one of the last living series’ regulars.
Lynn suffered from hepatitis. According to her daughter Lisa Brando, she died from multiple organ failures while surrounded by friends and family.
Brando posted about her mother’s death publicly via a message on her personal Facebook. Brando said this:
“Thank you all so much for your thoughts and prayers I am still in shock today but I know that life has to go on – This is a very hard day for me and our family for sure. I still can’t believe she is gone. I just wanted you all to know how helpful it is to know how many people cared about her and how you all care about me. It means more to me than you know. THANK YOU XOXO”
Brando was Lynn’s only daughter. After actor Marlon Brando’s death in 2004, Lisa revealed that Brando was her father. Lynn was born Zinta Valda Zimilis in Riga, Latvia. In her memoir entitled Escape to Freedom: A Biography of Cynthia Lynn, she chronicled her journey from Latvia to Germany and from there to the United States during and after World War II. It also revealed details about her relationship with Hogan’s Heroes co-star Bob Crane, which was depicted in the film Auto Focus.
On Hogan’s Heroes Lynn played Fraulein Helga, the secretary to Colonel Wilhelm Kink (Werner Klemperer). She appeared in 22 episodes of the first season, and then she made two uncredited appearances in the later seasons.
Lynn’s other screen credits include The Odd Couple, The Six Million Dollar Man, Mission Impossible, and Bedtime Story, where she met Brando. Lynn’s final screen appearance was in 1975 in Harry O.
Since Lynn’s death, Brando created an Indiegogo page where Lynn’s fans and friends can donate money for her memorial service. So far only $21 of the $100,000 goal has been reached.
Image via Wikimedia Commons
