Roy Goldman, who played a character named Roy Goldman on M*A*S*H, passed away almost exactly a year ago on September 1st, 2009. Late last week, Jeff Maxwell (who played Igor Straminsky) posted a message to the alt.tv.mash newsgroup explaining that he only just recently learned of Goldman’s death. Maxwell called Goldman “one of the funniest, nicest people on the planet” and noted that Goldman was “actually responsible for nicknaming me Igor on the set. The name stuck and ended up being written in as Private Igor.” A few days later, Maxwell posted a message from one of Goldman’s sons revealing that Goldman has passed away on September 1st, 2009 of cancer. Goldman is survived by his wife and two sons.
Although only credited — as Roy, Roy Goldman, Bartender, Orderly Corpsman and M.P. — in 21 episodes, Roy Goldman appeared in countless others. He was one of several recurring characters that, while not at the same level as Igor, Rizzo or Nurse Kellye, helped make the 4077th feel like a family. I believe his first appearance, uncredited, was in “Sticky Wicket” when he helped carry a crate containing a kitchen sink into the tent where Hawkeye was confined. His first credited role was in “The Trial of Henry Blake,” where he played an M.P. guarding Hawkeye and Trapper.
In “Adam’s Ribs,” the character of Goldman worked alongside Igor serving the liver that led to Hawkeye’s famous food revolt. In “The Red/White Blues,” Goldman developed anemia (as did Klinger) revealing that Caucasians of Mediterranean descent were also susceptible to anemia after taking primaquine; previously, it was believed only those of African descent were at risk of becoming anemic from the drug, according to text shown on screen at the end of the episode. And during the farewell dinner scene in “Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen,” Goldman revealed that he didn’t know what he was going to do now that the Korean War was over (I believe his scene was cut in syndication).
According to his Internet Movie Database profile, Goldman made only one additional acting role after M*A*S*H ended, in a movie called To Be or Not to Be, released in December of 1983. In February of 2008, he attended the ceremony at the newly restored M*A*S*H site at Malibu Creek State Park, marking the 25th anniversary of the end of M*A*S*H. He can be seen briefly in the following YouTube video (posted by snrhiker) at the 6:43 mark:
I read about this just last week, and it’s really sad, because even though Roy Goldman seldom had any actual speaking lines, he DID have a rather strong presence on the show just the same. Speaking of which, there’s a bit cut from syndication where he and Igor banter over Radar modeling the Korean bridal gown in “Ping Pong” (5×17)
IGOR: Hi honey, I’m home!
RADAR: Cut it out!
GOLDMAN: You know he hates it when you call him honey in front of strangers.
IGOR: (Immitation) Lishten shweet-haht, whaddya doin’ afta the war?
I think he appeared even earlier than “Sticky Wicket”, IRC, he was the corpsman in “Dear Dad, Again” (1×18) who saw Hawkeye naked in the Mess Tent, and dropped his tray, prompting others to look up and see him naked.
Earlier than that, he has a bit in “I Hate A Mystery” (1×10), reacting to Hawkeye talking to Radar hiding in the bushes….
Also, although always uncredited, Roy Goldman was also a background prisoner on Hogan’s Heroes, as well as an African American actor who also made some background appearances in the first few episodes of M*A*S*H as a corpsman like “Requiem for a Lightweight” (1×03) and “Chief Surgeon Who?” (1×04).
I noticed that the black actor/extra who was Goldman’s “Buddy” in Hogan’s Heroes appears in the Pilot episode of M*A*S*H (he is behind Gen. Hammond and Col. Blake in the mess tent scene after Hawkeye has announced that Mulcahy won the raffle). Does anyone know the name of this black actor? He and Goldman do a great job in Hogan’s Heroes — I have recently been re-watching that series on ME TV and noticed that each of them have at least 1 spoken line in the series, but neither seems to ever be credited.
I had not heard that Roy Goldman had passed away. I agree with Big Daddy O’Reilly that he had a strong presence in M*A*S*H. I am unsure how many episodes he was in, but I would imagine he was in the show almost as much as Kellye Nakahara.
hi jeff its marsha how r u?
sorry jeff maxwell marsha from the joan fisher days and think his name was paul animator
I was in cosmetology school became a legal asst. and a barber married to a writer thirty five years living in vegas now good luck much love health and happiness if life gets you down………MASH THAT PROBLEM !
If JEFF FROM MASH DOESN’T READ THESE POSTS PLEASE SEND THEM TO HIM THANK YOU MARSHA
Roy, like a few others who had roles in M*A*S*H, really started to be seen on Hogan’s Heroes (along with so many others of Jewish heritage/faith). He rarely had a line or was named but always seemed to be present as part of the barracks regulars.
He had a real presence, a solid look and, as evidenced in an episode of M*A*S*H, was in great physical condition (the episode where everyone gets a physical we see him being told by Hawkeye that he has rotatory scoliosis, which Klinger later claims in his usual scam of the episode).
I still don’t recognize him as Adolf Hitler in the Mel Brooks filmTo Be Or Not To Be’ but his name is credited as such. We don’t get a good look at him to really be able to tell it is him, or maybe it’s just the shock of seeing a guy who played US soldiers/airmen for so long dressed as Hitler.
Regardless, it is nice to see a guy contribute so much to 2 of my favourite shows without having to say much. His presence and look alone added so much.
I’m sad to learn of his death and am glad to be able to enjoy his efforts to this day.
Roy can be seen as Hitler – he was up in the balcony inside of the theater in the film “To Be Or Not To Be’. It was a pan up shot from the floor level, if remember correctly…
I loved Roy Goldman, and I am certain that everyone who worked with him on MASH, Hogan’s Heroes, To Be or Not to Be, at Gold’s Gym as well as those who walked with him in life did.
Roy may you rest in peace!
Oh, Roy. I am so sorry I missed seeing you before you took your leave. You were my best buddy on MASH. Damn. Happy trails, Roy!
Roy was probably one of the greatest unknown actors ever. He had done literally dozens of TV shows, mostly as a background character, who was barely noticed, if ever. Most people only know him for M*A*S*H and Hogan’s Heroes.
He was also featured a bit more in the episode “A Holy Mess” where fresh eggs are donated to the entire camp. Roy has a bit of an exchange of words with the Padre.
IMDB is wrong. I seen him in 2 shows after M*A*S*H went off the air. As usual, I barely noticed him! I can’t remember what they were now, but I think one was Sabrina the Teenage Witch. In the one show he played a guy sitting behind a table writing down names for some event. He was wearing sun glasses. The other I don’t remember now, all I remember thinking was “there’s another show under his belt!”
Its sad that someone didn’t write a biography for him. It would have been nice to see how many shows/movies he appeared in, because I’ll bet there were hundreds!
Roy, I salute you, Sir.!
MASH has been one of my favorite shows going back to watching it as a kid and now in my 40s. It has been fantastic since Netflix offers the show. I get to binge watch now. Thirty minutes was not enough time as I craved more when the show ended. So many famous actors of today got a start on the show.
I just learned of Goldmans passing and was sorry to hear that as I had often wondered what he and Igor did after the show.
I love m a s h it is the most favorite show to this day I am still watching it and in 2016 my favorite character in the show is Margret and haweye I will keep on watching MASH till the day.I die then my grandchildren can watched it when they grow up.
I just finished watching MASH’s final episode, Goodbye, Farewell and Amen, for the second time, and I still love it. I watch it every day at 7:00 PM. I will always watch it whenever it comes on because it is one show that was well made with great actors and directors. Here’s to MASH!!!
Something I saw made me think of Roy and I Googled his name to learn that he had passed away. Roy and his wife and newborn son were neighbors of mine in Santa Monica and we became friends, I never missed an episode of Mash and always looked for him. He and his wife were always very friendly, we played cards, had backyard barbecues. I’m not going to mention her name but I hope she is okay and I’m sorry about her loss. Rest in peace Roy. Love, Don and Pam……. and if Roy’s son is reading this I held you when you were brand new.
Most unsung hero on MASH. I’ve been watching this show since I was a teen and now own all the Seasons thanks to Prime Video. I’ve always wondered who that guy is that’s on every episode and why doesn’t he come up in the credits. Well I’m a fan of his, especially when he rook his clothes off for physical. Lol.
r.i.p. Roy
only started watching as it was going off the air as a child
subsequently I’ve grown to love and appreciate everyone’s contribution, even and sometimes especially the unknowns such as Roy
to me at least