Sigrid Valdis

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

Sigrid Valdis
Valdis with future husband Bob Crane on Hogan's Heroes in 1969
Born
Patricia Annette Olson

(1935-09-21)September 21, 1935
Bakersfield, California, U.S.
DiedOctober 14, 2007(2007-10-14) (aged 72)
Anaheim, California, U.S.
Resting placeWestwood Memorial Park
OccupationActress
Years active1957–1970
Spouses
George Gilbert Ateyeh
​
​
(m. 1958; died 1967)​
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1970; died 1978)​
    Children3[1]


    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. She appeared in one episode of Hogan's Heroes as a different character before landing the role of Hilda, Colonel Klink's secretary, replacing Cynthia Lynn ("Helga") who played the role in the first season.

    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' second marriage was to Hogan's Heroes star Bob Crane on the set of the series on October 16, 1970. Co-star Richard Dawson served as Crane's best man. Following the birth of their son Robert Scott Crane 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 had two daughters, Melissa Smith and Ana Sarmiento, and a son, Scott.[3] She had three stepchildren from Crane's earlier marriage to Anne Terzian: Karen, Deborah, and Robert David Crane.[4]

    Filmography
    Film
    Year Title 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. "Sigrid Valdis: 'Pure vamp' of 'Hogan's Heroes'". The Independent. December 8, 2007. Retrieved October 16, 2008.
    2. "'Hogan's Heroes' star Sigrid Valdis dies". USA Today. November 19, 2007. Retrieved October 16, 2008.
    3. Mclellan, Dennis (November 18, 2007). "Sigrid Valdis, 72; sexy secretary on 'Hogan's Heroes' married its star". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 16, 2008.
    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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