Although he was most famous for playing a colonel in the German Luftwaffe (air corps), Klemperer's family were German Jews who fled Nazi Germany in the 1930s.
During his guest appearance on "The Pat Sajak Show" (1989) he was presented with a monocle by Pat Sajak, as the host had learned that Werner's original monocle from his "Hogan's Heroes" (1965) days had recently been taken from his personal collection.
During World War II, served in the U.S. Army and was assigned to Maurice Evans' Special Entertainment Unit serving with fellow actor Carl Reiner.
For many years, he served as an elected member of the National Council of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
He appeared as Pasha Selim in the Mozart opera "The Abduction From the Seraglio".
He conducted the Buffalo Orchestra.
He was nominated for a 1975 Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Guest Artist for his performance in "The Great Sebastians," at the Ivanhoe Theatre in Chicago, Illinois.
His last acting role was as Colonel Klink, his most famous character, on a 1993 episode of "The Simpsons" (1989).
Immersed himself into teaching himself English so completely, that he found himself actuially thinking and dreaming in English.
Is portrayed by Kurt Fuller in Auto Focus (2002).
Klemperer agreed to take the role of Col. Klink in "Hogan's Heroes" (1965) only on the condition that none of Klink's schemes would ever succeed and that he would always wind up looking foolish.
Klemperer also appeared as a narrator with nearly every major symphony orchestra in the United States. His repertoire included such works as Beethoven's "Egmont" and "Fidelio," Stravinsky's "L'Historie du Soldat" and "Oedipus Rex."
One of his favorite works was as narrator in "Peter and the Wolf," which he performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
Served in the U.S. Army from 1942-1945.
Son of conductor Otto Klemperer.
Was nominated for Broadway's 1988 Tony Award as Best Actor (Featured Role - Musical) for a revival of "Cabaret."