The iconic show MAS*H (1972–1983) has had a lasting legacy, and the cast has gone on to various careers and endeavors since the series ended. Here’s an update on the main cast and what they’ve been doing since the show concluded:
1. Alan Alda (Hawkeye Pierce)
- Then: Alda portrayed Captain Benjamin Franklin “Hawkeye” Pierce, the witty and compassionate surgeon, and was arguably the most iconic character on the show.
- Now: Alan Alda has continued to have a successful career in film and television, receiving Emmy nominations for his work on shows like The West Wing and 30 Rock. He is also an advocate for science communication and started the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science. He revealed in 2018 that he has Parkinson’s disease but remains active in his work and advocacy.
2. Wayne Rogers (Trapper John McIntyre)
- Then: Rogers played Hawkeye’s sidekick, Trapper John, for the first three seasons before leaving the show due to creative differences.
- Now: After leaving MASH*, Rogers continued acting but also became a successful businessman and investor. He passed away in 2015 at the age of 82.
3. Loretta Swit (Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan)
- Then: Swit played Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan, a head nurse and a strong, complex character whose role evolved over the series.
- Now: Loretta Swit has largely retired from acting but remains active in animal rights advocacy. She also published a book on watercolors and has made occasional appearances in the media.
4. Harry Morgan (Colonel Sherman T. Potter)
- Then: Morgan joined the cast in Season 4, playing the role of Colonel Potter, a wise and caring commanding officer.
- Now: After MASH*, Morgan had a few more roles in TV and film before passing away in 2011 at the age of 96.
5. Mike Farrell (B.J. Hunnicutt)
- Then: Farrell joined the show in Season 4, replacing Wayne Rogers’ Trapper John as Hawkeye’s new partner and best friend, B.J.
- Now: Mike Farrell continues to act but is also known for his humanitarian work. He is an activist for human rights, particularly on issues like the death penalty, and he has served as the president of Death Penalty Focus, an abolitionist group.
6. Jamie Farr (Max Klinger)
- Then: Farr played the comedic role of Corporal Klinger, who was constantly trying to get discharged by pretending to be crazy, often wearing women’s clothing.
- Now: Jamie Farr has continued acting in various TV and theater roles, including numerous appearances on game shows and hosting events. He remains an active supporter of veterans and charities.
7. David Ogden Stiers (Charles Emerson Winchester III)
- Then: Stiers joined the cast in later seasons, playing the pompous but skilled surgeon, Charles Winchester.
- Now: After MASH*, Stiers became a prominent voice actor, most notably voicing Cogsworth in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. He passed away in 2018 due to bladder cancer.
8. Gary Burghoff (Radar O’Reilly)
- Then: Burghoff played the beloved Radar O’Reilly, the innocent and highly efficient company clerk who left the series early to spend more time with his family.
- Now: After leaving the show, Burghoff took a step back from acting and focused on his family. He also became an accomplished painter and wildlife advocate.
9. William Christopher (Father Mulcahy)
- Then: Christopher portrayed Father Mulcahy, the kind and soft-spoken chaplain who became a moral compass for the team.
- Now: After MASH*, William Christopher continued acting in various roles, including on AfterMASH (a spinoff of MASH*), and devoted time to autism advocacy. He passed away in 2016 at the age of 84.
The cast of MASH* not only entertained millions but also became icons of American television, leaving behind legacies both on and off the screen.