Although M*A*S*H may be their main claim to fame (for better or for worse) the cast of the series kept acting after their tenure with the series came to an end. Many are still active today, appearing in films or television or on the stage. In 2002, the cast of the series, with the exception of McLean Stevenson and Larry Linville who had both sadly passed away, reunited for a 30th anniversary reunion special (read about it here). The images on this page are from the reunion special, except for those for Larry Linville and McLean Stevenson, which are from the 1991 special “Memories of M*A*S*H.”

Alan Alda (Hawkeye)

Alan Alda in 2002

The year after M*A*S*H ended Alan Alda was producing The Four Seasons, a television follow-up to his 1981 feature film. Over the next two decades he stuck primarily to the big screen, aside from a stint on NBC’s popular medical drama ER in 1999. He began hosting the PBS documentary series Scientific American Frontiers in 1993; the series ended in 2005.

In 2004 and 2005 Alda garnered critical acclaim for roles in television and film. He appeared in The Aviator, released in December of 2004, and received an Academy Award nomination. And he joined the cast of NBC’s The West Wing in October of 2004 as presidential hopeful Senator Arnold Vinick. He was nominated for Emmy awards in 2005 and 2006 for the role. Other recent television appearances include recurring roles on NBC’s 30 Rock (2009-2010) and Showtime’s The Big C (2011), while recent films include Nothing But the Truth (2008), Flash of Genius (2008) and Tower Heist (2011). On stage, Alda starred in the play “Glengarry Glen Ross” on Broadway in spring 2005. Radiance: The Passion of Marie Curie, a play written by Alda, opened off-Broadway in December of 2011.

Alda has released two memoirs, Never Have Your Dog Stuffed: And Other Things I’ve Learned (September 2005) and Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself (October 2007).

Gary Burghoff (Radar)

Gary Burghoff in 2002

In the years after leaving M*A*S*H in 1979, Gary Burghoff guest-starred on a handful of television shows including The Love Boat and Fantasy Island. He returned to his famous role of Radar O’Reilly in two episodes of AfterMASH and W*A*L*T*E*R (an unsold pilot for CBS). In 1995 he guest starred in an episode of Burke’s Law; he would not act again on television or film until 2010 when he co-starred in Daniel’s Lot. In 1999/2000 Burghoff toured more than 100 cities appearing in Neil Simon’s “Last of the Red Hot Lovers”, putting on the play in over 100 cities. An accomplished wildlife painter, he has turned much of his attention to his artwork since he moved away from acting.

Burghoff released an autobiography, Gary Burghoff: To M*A*S*H and Back: My Life in Poems and Songs (That Nobody Ever Wanted to Publish!) in June of 2009.

William Christopher (Father Mulcahy)

William Christopher in 2002

Along with Jamie Farr and Harry Morgan, William Christopher starred in AfterMASH following the conclusion of M*A*S*H in 1983. When AfterMASH ended in 1984, Christopher continued acting occasionally on television, in films and on stage (including a touring production of “The Odd Couple” with Jamie Farr). His last credited role was an episode of Mad About You in 1998. Christopher and his wife wrote Mixed Blessings, a non-fiction account of their experience raising an autistic son. The book was released in 1989. The two continue to work promoting autism awareness through the National Autistic Society.

Jamie Farr(Klinger)

Jamie Farr in 2002

After reprising his role of Klinger in AfterMASH, Jamie Farr had a handful of television and film roles, including quite a few game shows. He played himself in two episodes of That ’70s Show in 2002 and 2003 and co-hosted Biography‘s “TV Week” in 2003. Most recently he guest-starred in an episode of the Fox sitcom The War at Home (on February 8th, 2007). Farr has also been active in local and regional theater since M*A*S*H ended. Along with William Christopher he toured in a production of “The Odd Couple” in the mid-1990s. In 2004 he played the lead in the Tony-nominated “Say Goodnight Gracie,” based on the life of George Burns and in 2011 he appeared in Tuesdays With Morrie. Farr also involved with the annual LPGA Jamie Farr Toledo Classic, a golf tournament he founded in 1984. He released his autobiography, Just Farr Fun, in 1994.

Mike Farrell (B.J.)

Mike Farrell in 2002

In the years following the end of M*A*S*H Mike Farrell appeared in a string of made-for-TV movies and a variety of guest spots on television. In 1996 he lent his voice to the character of Jonathan Kent for the animated series Superman. His wife Shelley Fabares voiced Martha Kent. From 1999 to 2002 he played Dr. James Hansen on NBC’s Providence. Farrell is politically active, a strong advocate of human rights/environmental awareness and has lent his support to a variety of organizations and causes. He also served three terms as First Vice President of Screen Actors Guild, beginning in 2002.

Farrell released his autobiography, Just Call Me Mike: A Journey from Actor to Activist, in March of 2007.

Larry Linville (Frank)

Larry Linville in 1991

In 1977, after five seasons playing Frank Burns on M*A*S*H, Larry Linville decided he had taken the character as far as he could go and left the series. Over the next two decades he had a slew of guest spots on various television shows, including The Love Boat, Fantasy Island and Murder, She Wrote. He also had roles in Grandpa Goes to Washington and Paper Dolls. Linville was also active in theater after leaving M*A*S*H. Along with Larry Gelbart and David Ogden Stiers, Linville was present at the closing of the 43rd Mobile Army Surgical Hospital — the inspiration for M*A*S*H‘s 4077th — in June of 1997. After battling cancer for several years Linville passed away due to complications of pneumonia in April of 2000.

Larry Linville: September 29th, 1939 – April 10th, 2000

Harry Morgan (Colonel Potter)

Harry Morgan in 2002

Harry Morgan joined with Jamie Farr and William Christopher to continue their roles from M*A*S*H in a follow-up series. When AfterMASH came to a close in 1984, Morgan had guest-starring roles in a handful of television shows, including The Love Boat and Murder, She Wrote. In 1987 he had a role in Dragnet and played the lead in a syndicated sitcom called You Can’t Take It With You. In the early 1990s Morgan teamed up with Walter Matthau for three made-for-TV movies about a lawyer (Matthau) and a judge (Morgan). He had a recurring role on 3rd Rock from the Sun in 1996 and 1997 before retiring from acting. Morgan passed away in December of 2011 at the age of 96.

Harry Morgan: April 10th, 1915 – December 7th, 2011

Wayne Rogers (Trapper)

Wayne Rogers in 2002

Only a year after leaving M*A*S*H Wayne Rogers was starring in his own series, City of Angels, about a detective in the 1930s. The series lasted half a season. In 1979, Rogers was starring in House Calls as a brilliant doctor who often bends the rules. House Calls ended in 1982. Three years later, Rogers took over the role of Major Tony Nelson in I Dream of Jeannie: 15 Years Later. He had a recurring role in Murder, She Wrote during the early 1990s. In addition to acting, Rogers is a avid businessman, who occasionally appears on Fox News Channel’s Cashin’ In, a segment of their The Cost Of Freedom program.

McLean Stevenson (Colonel Blake)

McLean Stevenson in 1991

After leaving M*A*S*H at the end of its third season, McLean Stevenson starred in The McLean Stevenson Show. In the sitcom he played the owner of a hardware store trying to juggle his business with his family. The show was cancelled after less than one season. In 1979 Stevenson was starring in another sitcom, Hello, Larry, which was a spin-off of the popular Diff’rent Strokes. Stevenson played Larry Alder, a divorced radio psychologist with two teenage daughters. Hello, Larry ran until 1980. During the 1980s Stevenson made guest appearances on several television programs. He also had a role in the 1988 television version of Dirty Dancing. His last credited role was the miniseries Tales of the City in 1993. Stevenson passed away of a heart attack in February of 1996.

McLean Stevenson: November 14th, 1929 – February 15th, 1996

David Ogden Stiers (Charles Emerson Winchester, III)

David Ogden Stiers in 2002

Two years after the end of M*A*SH, David Ogden Stiers had roles in a blockbuster television miniseries (North and South) and a string of made-for-TV movies based on Perry Mason (from 1986 to 1988). In 1991 he had a guest role on Star Trek: The Next Generation and voiced Cogsworth in the animated Beauty and the Beast. His voiceover work continued throughout the 1990s, including roles in Pocahontas and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. In 1998 he had appeared in Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place on ABC, although his role was soon phased out. Another television series, Love & Money, followed in 1999. In 2002, Stiers voiced a character in the animated hit Lilo & Stitch (he would return to the character several times in the following years). From 2002 to 2007 he had a recurring role on The Dead Zone as well as a recurring role on Stargate: Atlantis from 2006 to 2007. In addition to acting, Stiers is an associate conductor for the Newport Symphany Orchestra and has conducted a variety of orchestras around the world.

Loretta Swit (Major Margaret Houlihan)

Loretta Swit in 2002

Swit appeared in a number of television and film roles following the end M*A*S*H but has not had a credited film or television role since 1998. She is active on the stage, however. From 1985 to 1987 she appeared on Broadway in The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Other stage credits include Shirley Valentine, The Vagina Monologues, Forty-Second Street, Cactus Flower, and Love, Loss and What I Wore. A vocal supporter of animal rights, Swit is a member of Actors and Others for Animals. She is also an artist and proceeds from sales of her artwork benefit animal rights organizations. In 1986, she published A Needlepoint Scrapbook.

References:

• “Actor Larry Linville Dies at 60.” The Washington Post: 12 Apr 2000.
• Everett, Todd. “MASH Actor Glad to Be Back on Local Stage.” Los Angeles Times: 19 Sep 1996.
• Jelinek, Pauline. “The Real-Life MASH Unit Celebrates Its Final Episode.” Los Angeles Times: 15 Jun 1997.
• Townsel, Lisa Jones. “10 questions for actress Loretta Swit.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch: 1 Jul 2004.

Last updated January 1st, 2012