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What would the '70s and '80s be without the hit series M*A*S*H? This classic TV show, which aired from 1972 to 1983, was developed by writer Larry Gelbart and based on the 1968 novel "MASH: A Novel About Three Army Doctors" by Richard Hooker. This brilliant television masterpiece has developed a huge cult following and is shown to have some of the highest ratings in U.S. TV history!
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The basic plot of the show follows the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (M*A*S*H) Unit as they tell character-driven stories about their deployment during the Korean War. Topics discussed during the show ranged all the way from the origins of characters' names to criticism of the Cold War in general.
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"Margaret Houlihan" was the head nurse and temporary adjutant of the unit, who married and later divorced fellow unit member and Lieutenant Colonel Penobscot, a subplot that brought more dramatic tension to the show.
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After M*A*S*H, Swit never really landed another major role in television. She went on to guest star in dozens of other TV shows such as Bonanza, The Love Boat, and Gunsmoke. She became one of the only M*A*S*H cast members to actually visit South Korea while filming a documentary on the true events of the war.
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"Radar's" real name is "Walter O'Reilly". He was the Corporal of the unit, even being promoted to second lieutenant in one episode of the series only to beg for a demotion back to his original rank at the end of the episode.
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Gary Burghoff actually left the show in the final episode of season 7, due to personal issues and mental health. He soon returned to TV and starred in countless shows such as Match Game, Tattletales, and even The Adventures of Wonder Woman. Burghoff became the TV spokesman for BP and IBM Computers in the '80s. Among other things, Gary is a wildlife painter and professional jazz drummer.
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"B.J. Hunnicutt" was the second captain of the Medical Army Surgical Unit. Throughout the series, B.J. was a part of a subplot in which the origins of his name are explored. It was later revealed that his nickname is a combination of both his father and his mother's names, "Bea" and "Jay".
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After M*A*S*H, Farrell went on to guest star in Murder, She Wrote, Justice League, and Desperate Housewives. He has also hosted several National Geographic Presents specials and starred in dozens of other TV Movies. On December 31, 1984, Mike Farrell married actress Shelley Fabares.
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"Sherman Potter" was a Colonel surgeon in the M*A*S*H unit. "Potter" was a regular army man, having served in both World Wars. Harry Morgan, the actor who played "Sherman Potter", moved on to star in several minor roles in Disney movies such as The Barefoot Executive, Snowball Express, Charley and the Angel, and many more. Afterward, he was in short-lived series like Blacke's Magic and Incident of a Small Town. Morgan died peacefully on December 7, 2011 at the age of 96.
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"Father Mulcahy", played by William Christopher, was first lieutenant and later captain of the 4077th unit. "Mulcahy" was portrayed as a good poker player and boxer. He was seen delivering supplies to local Korean orphanages throughout the course of the series.
What would the '70s and '80s be without the hit series M*A*S*H? This classic TV show, which aired from 1972 to 1983, was developed by writer Larry Gelbart and based on the 1968 novel "MASH: A Novel About Three Army Doctors" by Richard Hooker.
Check out our gallery to find out what the actors are doing today...
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