Deadline Hollywood is reporting that actress Marcia Strassman, who played Nurse Margie Cutler in six episodes of M*A*S*H during its first season, passed away yesterday after a long battle with cancer. She was 66. I’ve been a fan of hers for years so this was particularly sad news to read earlier today.
Nurse Cutler first appeared in the third episode of M*A*S*H (“Requiem for a Lightweight”). Her memorable introduction involved her rushing out of the showers and shortly thereafter losing her towel. Both Hawkeye and Trapper were immediately smitten with the pretty new nurse but Margaret had her transferred. Trapper agreed to enter a boxing tournament in an attempt to get her back to the 4077th. He succeeded.
In “Yankee Doodle Doctor,” Cutler helped Hawkeye and Trapper with their very special film about MASH units. When Hawkeye turned her down in “Bananas, Crackers and Nuts” it prompted concern that he was mentally unstable. In “Edwina,” Cutler was the one who started the nurses’ boycott of the men of the 4077th until somebody agreed to go out on a date with Edwina.
Cutler had a very brief role in “Love Story” helping Hawkeye take Radar’s x-rays. Her last appearance was in “Ceasefire,” the penultimate episode of Season One. She was thrilled at the prospect of the war ending and wanted to make going home plans with Hawkeye. When told he was married (a lie) she didn’t react well, hitting him over the head with a bedpan. Like several other recurring characters from the first season, Cutler was written out of the series without any explanation.
Outside of M*A*S*H Strassman is perhaps best known for her role on ABC’s Welcome Back, Kotter from 1975-1979 opposite Gabe Kaplan. She also co-starred in Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989) and its sequel Honey, I Blew Up the Kid (1992).
Strassman had regular roles in a number of other television shows over the years, including Good Time Harry (NBC, 1980), Booker (FOX, 1989-1990), and Tremers (Sci-Fi Channel, 2003). From 2001 to 2002 she had a recurring role on NBC’s Providence, which co-starred Mike Farrell.
In the late 1960s, she had a short-lived recording career. She released three singles (“The Flower Children,” “The Groovy World of Jack & Jill,” and “”Self-Analysis”) between 1967 and 1968. Although a few were apparently popular in specific cities, none were hits nationally. You can listen to these songs (and their B-sides) on YouTube.
RIP. I always enjoyed her character and would have liked to see her (along with Ugly John) continued beyond season 1.
I always thought that Ms. Strassman was one of, if not, the best looking nurse the 4077th ever had. She certainly was the only one there that caught the eye of two of the doctors there. She was fantastic and was missed when she wasn’t on the show anymore.
RIP Ms. Strassman. Your work will live on forever!!
I also always liked her and wish she had stayed with the show for at least the first 3 seasons.
I read a blurb about this on Facebook last night, and it is sad to hear that she finally lost the battle she had been fighting with breast cancer for so long.
Despite being a big M*A*S*Her, growing up in the 90s, I remember her moreso from the aforementioned HONEY, I SHRUNK THE KIDS and HONEY, I BLEW UP THE KID and such… and I’m sure people of the 70s probably remember her moreso as Mrs. Kotter from WELCOME BACK, KOTTER.
I always felt that she didn’t get enough credit where she clearly deserved it, that goes for all of her career. Also I feel badly for RJ because I know this was his favorite nurse on the show. 🙁
RIP
HAVING HAD THE PLEASURE OF WORKING ON SEVERAL PRODUCTIONS WITH HER, I WILL GREATLY MISS HER PROFESSIONAL AND DELIGHTFUL PERSONALITY.
MUCH LOVE,
RIP, GOOD, AND SWEET LADY.
RIP BEAUTIFUL LADY
Another angel in heaven.
I always thought she was very funny, would have liked to see her in more MASH eps. Her interaction with Radar in Yankee Doodle Doctor was priceless . Rip, thanks for the entertainment.
I agree Steve. Would have liked to have seen her in a lot more episodes. She was very funny in yankee doodle doctor! She was also very pretty.