The beloved war comedy-drama M*A*S*H, which aired from 1972 to 1983, continues to captivate audiences more than four decades after its finale. While many of its stars have passed away, a few, including Alan Alda, Mike Farrell, Jamie Farr, and Gary Burghoff, are still alive and occasionally appear at fan conventions or charity events. This article explores the lives and careers of the main cast members, from their iconic roles to their post-M*A*S*H journeys.
Alan Alda: From Hawkeye to Podcast Host
Alan Alda, born Alphonso Joseph D'Abruzzo on 28 January 1936 in New York City, played Captain Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce in all 11 seasons of M*A*S*H. Beyond acting, he wrote and directed several episodes, earning multiple Primetime Emmy Awards. After the series, Alda continued acting in notable projects like The West Wing, 30 Rock, The Aviator (2004), Marriage Story (2019), The Blacklist, and The Four Seasons (2025–2026). Away from acting, he hosts the Clear+Vivid podcast and supports science communication through the Alan Alda Centre for Communicating Science. Alda has lived with Parkinson's disease since 2015 and has been married to Arlene Alda since 1957; they have three daughters.
Mike Farrell: Activism and Later Roles
Mike Farrell, born Michael Joseph Farrell Jr. on 6 February 1939 in St. Paul, Minnesota, joined M*A*S*H in season four (1975), replacing Wayne Rogers as Captain B.J. Hunnicutt. He stayed until the series ended in 1983. After M*A*S*H, Farrell starred in Providence (1999–2002) and appeared in Desperate Housewives, NCIS, and American Crime Story. He also produced the 1998 hit film Patch Adams, starring Robin Williams. Farrell is known for his human rights activism, serving as president of Death Penalty Focus for many years. In 2025, he returned to television with a guest role on 9-1-1. He has been married to actress Shelley Fabares since 1984.
Jamie Farr: Klinger's Long Run
Jamie Farr, born Jameel Joseph Farah on 1 July 1934 in Toledo, Ohio, joined M*A*S*H in its first season as Corporal Maxwell Klinger. Originally intended for one episode, Farr remained until the 1983 finale and reprised the role in the spin-off AfterMASH. His notable credits include The Cannonball Run (1981), Cannonball Run II (1984), Scrooged (1988), Mad About You (1996), The Bold and the Beautiful (2002–2003), The Cool Kids (2018), and Angels on Tap (2018). Although largely retired, Farr attends fan conventions and charity events. He has been married to Joy Ann Richards since 1963, and they have two children.
Gary Burghoff: Radar's Legacy
Gary Burghoff, born Gary Rich Burghoff on 24 May 1943 in Bristol, Connecticut, was the only actor to play the same character in both the M*A*S*H film (1970) and the television series. He starred as Corporal Walter "Radar" O'Reilly from 1972 to 1979, leaving during season seven. He returned for the two-part episode Goodbye Radar (1979) and reprised the role in AfterMASH (1984) and the TV movie WALTER (1984). His performance earned seven Primetime Emmy nominations and one Emmy Award. After M*A*S*H, Burghoff appeared in The Love Boat, Small Kill (1992), Behind the Waterfall (1995), Burke's Law (1995), and Daniel's Lot (2010). He has since focused on wildlife painting, music, and inventing, largely staying out of the public eye.
Loretta Swit: Hot Lips and Animal Advocacy
Loretta Swit, born Loretta Jane Swit on 4 November 1937 in Passaic, New Jersey, played Major Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan in all 11 seasons, winning two Primetime Emmy Awards. After M*A*S*H, she appeared in Whoops Apocalypse (1986), Forest Warrior (1996), and Play the Flute (2019). Swit was a dedicated animal welfare advocate, founding the SwitHeart Animal Alliance. She hosted the Discovery Channel series Those Incredible Animals in 1992. Her last TV appearance was in 2008 on the Game Show Network. Swit died on 30 May 2025, at the age of 87.
Harry Morgan: Colonel Potter's Later Years
Harry Morgan, born Harry Bratsberg on 10 April 1915 in Detroit, Michigan, joined M*A*S*H in season four as Colonel Sherman Potter, replacing McLean Stevenson. He remained from 1975 to 1983, won a Primetime Emmy Award in 1980, and reprised Potter in AfterMASH. After M*A*S*H, Morgan starred in Blacke's Magic (1986), You Can't Take It with You (1987), and Dragnet (1987). His later credits included Renegade (1992), 3rd Rock from the Sun (1996–1997), and Love & Money (1999), his final role. Morgan died on 7 December 2011, at the age of 96, from complications of pneumonia.
Wayne Rogers: Trapper John's Post-M*A*S*H Career
Wayne Rogers, born William Wayne McMillan Rogers III on 7 April 1933 in Birmingham, Alabama, played Captain "Trapper" John McIntyre in the first three seasons (1972–1975). He left due to a contract dispute and concerns about his character's prominence; Mike Farrell replaced him. After M*A*S*H, Rogers starred in House Calls (1979–1982), earning a Golden Globe nomination. His later credits included Murder, She Wrote (1993–1995), Ghosts of Mississippi (1996), Love Lies Bleeding (1999), Frozen with Fear (2001), Three Days of Rain (2002), and Nobody Knows Anything! (2003). Rogers later focused on investing and became a financial commentator on Fox Business. He died from complications of pneumonia on 31 December 2015.
William Christopher: Father Mulcahy's Advocacy
William Christopher, born on 20 October 1932 in Evanston, Illinois, played Father Francis Mulcahy throughout M*A*S*H (1972–1983), appearing in all 11 seasons. He continued the role in AfterMASH (1983–1985). Christopher also appeared in Murder, She Wrote (1989), Lois & Clark (1994), Mad About You (1995), Diagnosis Murder (1998), and Days of Our Lives (2012), his final role. He and his wife Barbara became advocates for autism awareness after their son was diagnosed with autism, co-authoring the book Mixed Blessings (1989). Christopher died from lung cancer on 31 December 2016, at the age of 84.
David Ogden Stiers: Winchester's Voice
David Ogden Stiers, born on 31 October 1942 in Peoria, Illinois, joined M*A*S*H in season six as Major Charles Emerson Winchester III, replacing Larry Linville. He remained from 1977 to 1983, earning two Primetime Emmy Award nominations. After M*A*S*H, Stiers appeared in Better Off Dead (1985) and Star Trek: The Next Generation (1990). He voiced roles in Beauty and the Beast (1991), Pocahontas (1995), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996), and Lilo & Stitch (2002). His final roles included Rizzoli & Isles (2015), Neil Stryker and the Tyrant of Time (2017), Love Unplugged (2017), and Disney Comics in Motion (2018). Stiers died from bladder cancer on 3 March 2018, at the age of 75.
Larry Linville: Frank Burns' Exit
Larry Linville, born Lawrence Lavon Linville on 29 September 1939 in Ojai, California, was an original cast member, playing Major Frank Burns from 1972 to 1977. He left after season five, replaced by David Ogden Stiers. After M*A*S*H, Linville starred in Grandpa Goes to Washington (1978–1979) and Paper Dolls (1984). His later credits included Murder, She Wrote (1985–1995), Nurses (1992–1993), A Million to Juan (1994), and Pressure Point (1997). Linville died on 10 April 2000, at the age of 60, from pneumonia following cancer surgery.
McLean Stevenson: Henry Blake's Legacy
McLean Stevenson, born Edgar McLean Stevenson Jr. on 14 November 1927 in Normal, Illinois, played Lieutenant Colonel Henry Blake from 1972 to 1975. He also wrote the season two episode The Trial of Henry Blake, earning an Emmy nomination. After M*A*S*H, Stevenson starred in The McLean Stevenson Show (1976–1977), In the Beginning (1978), Hello, Larry (1979–1980), and Condo (1983). He made guest appearances on The Love Boat, The Golden Girls, Dirty Dancing, Class Cruise, and Tales of the City (1993), his last role. Stevenson died from a heart attack on 15 February 1996, at the age of 68.
Which M*A*S*H Stars Are Still Alive?
Four core cast members are still alive: Alan Alda (90), Mike Farrell (87), Jamie Farr (92), and Gary Burghoff (83). They occasionally make public appearances, though some, like Burghoff, have largely retired from the spotlight. The other main cast members—Loretta Swit, William Christopher, David Ogden Stiers, Wayne Rogers, Harry Morgan, Larry Linville, and McLean Stevenson—have passed away.
Behind the Scenes: Feuds and Salaries
Gary Burghoff and Alan Alda had a difficult working relationship on M*A*S*H, but they later reconciled and maintained mutual respect. Alda also had creative differences with early co-stars Wayne Rogers and McLean Stevenson. Alda was the highest-paid actor, earning $300,000 per episode by the final seasons, according to Celebrity Net Worth. Alda was also the only actor to appear in every episode of M*A*S*H across all 11 seasons.
