Back in Time Today
The 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital became a second home for millions of viewers during M*A*S*H’s 11-season run. This groundbreaking series made us laugh, cry, and reflect on war’s harsh realities through unforgettable characters. While the show ended in 1983, the impact of these talented performers lives on in reruns and our hearts, even as many cast members have now taken their final bow.
1. McLean Stevenson: The Commanding Officer Who Left Too Soon
The lovable Lt. Colonel Henry Blake won viewers’ hearts with his folksy leadership style and fishing hat. McLean Stevenson’s portrayal balanced authority with a touching vulnerability that made his character’s shocking departure one of television’s most memorable moments.
After leaving the show in 1975, Stevenson never quite recaptured that magic in subsequent roles. Behind his warm smile was a talented comedian who started in radio before finding his way to television.
Stevenson passed away on February 15, 1996, at age 68 from a heart attack, ironically while recovering from bladder cancer surgery. His legacy as the 4077th’s first CO remains indelible.
2. Wayne Rogers: The Surgeon With a Mischievous Streak
Hawkeye’s original partner-in-crime, Captain “Trapper” John McIntyre, brought a special charm to the 4077th. Wayne Rogers infused the role with a wisecracking spirit and surgical brilliance that perfectly complemented Alan Alda’s Hawkeye during the show’s first three seasons.
Few fans know Rogers was actually a Princeton graduate with a degree in history before becoming an actor. After departing M*A*S*H over contract disputes, he found success as a businessman and financial commentator.
Rogers died on December 31, 2015, at age 82 from complications of pneumonia. His chemistry with Alda created the template for the show’s distinctive blend of humor and humanity.
3. Larry Linville: The Man Behind the Military Mustache
Major Frank Burns – the character everyone loved to hate. Larry Linville embraced playing this uptight, incompetent surgeon with remarkable commitment, creating one of television’s most memorable antagonists. His high-pitched whine of “Margaret!” still echoes in fans’ memories.
A classically trained actor with Shakespearean roots, Linville couldn’t have been more different from his pompous character. Colleagues described him as thoughtful and generous – the antithesis of Frank Burns.
Linville departed after season five and passed away on April 10, 2000, at just 60 years old from complications of cancer. His willingness to be thoroughly unlikable gave the show a perfect foil for its antiwar heroes.
4. Harry Morgan: The Colonel Who Captured Our Hearts
Colonel Sherman T. Potter rode into the 4077th in season four, bringing gravitas and warmth to the commanding officer role. Harry Morgan’s portrayal of this career Army man with a love of horses and painting created an instant father figure for both characters and viewers alike.
Morgan brought decades of acting experience to the role, having appeared in over 100 films before joining M*A*S*H. His famous “horse hockey” exclamations became a catchphrase that avoided censorship while perfectly capturing Potter’s old-school sensibilities.
Morgan remained with the show until its conclusion and passed away on December 7, 2011, at age 96. His portrayal earned him an Emmy Award and cemented Colonel Potter as television’s most beloved military commander.
5. David Ogden Stiers: The Aristocrat of the Army
Major Charles Emerson Winchester III arrived at the 4077th with his Mozart records and Boston accent, initially seeming like another Frank Burns. David Ogden Stiers transformed this potential stereotype into a complex character whose surgical brilliance was matched only by his hidden compassion.
Standing 6’4″, Stiers brought physical presence to match Winchester’s outsized personality. His classical music knowledge wasn’t just acting – Stiers later conducted symphony orchestras after M*A*S*H ended.
Winchester’s vulnerability emerged in touching episodes about his stuttering sister and orphaned musicians. Stiers died on March 3, 2018, at 75 from bladder cancer, leaving behind a character who showed that even privileged snobs could grow into better humans.
6. William Christopher: The Spiritual Heart of the Camp
Father Francis Mulcahy served as the 4077th’s Catholic chaplain, but William Christopher made him a spiritual guide for people of all faiths. His gentle portrayal of this bespectacled priest trying to find purpose amid war’s chaos resonated deeply with viewers.
Christopher improvised many of Mulcahy’s nervous mannerisms, including the habit of adjusting his glasses. These small touches made the character feel authentic and endearing. Off-screen, Christopher was a devoted advocate for autism awareness, inspired by his own son’s diagnosis.
He remained with M*A*S*H until its finale and passed away on December 31, 2016, at 84 from lung cancer. His character reminded us that even in war’s darkest moments, compassion and faith could provide essential light.
7. Kellye Nakahara: The Nurse Who Became Family
Nurse Kellye Yamato wasn’t originally meant to be a recurring character, but Kellye Nakahara’s warm presence made her indispensable to the 4077th family. Starting with just a few background appearances, she eventually appeared in 167 episodes – more than many main cast members!
Born in Hawaii, Nakahara had no acting experience before M*A*S*H. She was working as a dental assistant when she landed the role that would define her career. Her spotlight episode “Hey, Look Me Over” revealed Kellye’s unrequited crush on Hawkeye and her impressive nursing skills.
Nakahara passed away on February 16, 2020, at 72 after battling cancer. Her character represented the unsung heroes of MASH units – the nurses who kept everything running.
8. Allan Arbus: The Psychiatrist Who Healed Healers
“Ladies and gentlemen, take my advice. Pull down your pants and slide on the ice.” Dr. Sidney Freedman’s unconventional wisdom provided psychological support to the 4077th’s overworked staff. Allan Arbus portrayed this visiting psychiatrist with such authenticity that many cast members believed he was a real therapist.
Before acting, Arbus had a successful photography career with his wife Diane Arbus. His portrayal of Sidney helped destigmatize mental health treatment for millions of viewers during an era when therapy was rarely discussed openly.
Though only appearing in 12 episodes, Arbus created one of M*A*S*H’s most memorable recurring characters. He passed away on April 19, 2013, at 95, having brought compassionate understanding to both the characters and audience.
9. Edward Winter: The Paranoid Patriot
“Wind blows. Rain falls. Colonel Flagg happens.” Edward Winter’s portrayal of the ultra-paranoid CIA operative Colonel Samuel Flagg created comedy gold whenever he infiltrated the 4077th. His character embodied Cold War paranoia taken to absurd extremes.
Winter played Flagg with such commitment to the character’s delusions that his appearances became fan favorites. His catchphrase “The wind just told me” explained his mysterious knowledge, while his disguises and self-destructing notes parodied spy thriller clichés perfectly.
Though appearing in just seven episodes, Winter made each Flagg appearance memorable. He died on March 8, 2001, at 63, leaving behind a character who represented the military intelligence community’s most ridiculous tendencies during a tense historical period.
10. Patrick Adiarte: The Camp’s First Civilian Helper
Ho-Jon represented the Korean civilians caught in war’s crossfire. Patrick Adiarte portrayed this young worker at the 4077th with a touching innocence that reminded viewers of the local population affected by the conflict.
Appearing primarily in the first season, Ho-Jon’s character highlighted the show’s humanitarian themes. His storyline about trying to get to college in the United States showed the 4077th’s commitment to helping locals beyond just medical care.
Though his character disappeared after early episodes, Adiarte helped establish M*A*S*H’s connection to Korean culture. He reportedly passed away in April 2025 at 82 from pneumonia, though his brief role helped the series establish its setting and humanitarian themes from the very beginning.
11. G. Wood: The General Who Started It All
General Hammond appeared in both the M*A*S*H film and early TV episodes, representing the military brass that the 4077th both served and subverted. G. Wood’s portrayal established the show’s dynamic between frontline medical personnel and headquarters command.
With his commanding presence and authoritative voice, Wood created a foil for Hawkeye and Trapper’s anti-authority antics. His character helped establish the show’s premise that the real heroes were the doctors and nurses actually saving lives, not the generals miles from the front.
Though appearing in just three episodes, Wood’s General Hammond set the template for the show’s portrayal of military hierarchy. He passed away on July 24, 2000, at 80 from congestive heart failure, having helped launch what would become television’s most successful medical drama.
12. Loretta Swit: The Nurse Who Defied Stereotypes
Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan evolved from a one-dimensional character into one of television’s most complex women under Loretta Swit’s masterful portrayal. Initially depicted as merely Frank Burns’ paramour, Margaret transformed into a fiercely competent nurse who demanded respect on her own terms.
Swit was one of only four cast members to remain for all 11 seasons, earning two Emmy Awards for her performance. Her character’s journey from rigid military devotee to independent woman mirrored the feminist movement of the 1970s.
According to reports, Swit passed away on May 30, 2025, at 87 from natural causes. Her portrayal challenged gender stereotypes and created a template for strong female characters in television for generations to come.
13. Rick Hurst: The Versatile Character Actor
While not a main cast member, Rick Hurst made memorable guest appearances on M*A*S*H, showcasing the talented character actors who enriched the show’s world. Fans might recognize him from his later role as Deputy Cletus Hogg on “The Dukes of Hazzard.”
Hurst appeared in the fifth season episode “The Korean Surgeon” as Captain Saunders, demonstrating the show’s rotating cast of military personnel. These smaller roles helped create the realistic atmosphere of a busy MASH unit with personnel coming and going.
Reports indicate Hurst passed away on June 26, 2025, at 79. Though not as widely remembered as the main cast, character actors like Hurst provided essential support that made the 4077th feel like a real military hospital rather than just a television set.