The Core Cast: Full Biography and Current Status (2025)
The main cast of *M\*A\*S\*H* is composed of some of the most respected actors in television history. This section provides a detailed look at the lives of the 11 main cast members, including their full names, birth/death dates, and their most significant post-M\*A\*S\*H endeavors.
- Alan Alda (Captain Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce)
- Born: January 28, 1936 (Age 89)
- M\*A\*S\*H Role: The witty, womanizing, and deeply moral chief surgeon.
- Post-M\*A\*S\*H Career: Prolific actor, writer, and director. He is a seven-time Emmy Award winner and an Academy Award nominee.
- Current Status: Remains highly active as a science communicator and host of the popular podcast, Clear+Vivid with Alan Alda, which released new episodes as recently as August 2024 and has future episodes scheduled for 2025. Alda was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2015 but continues his work with vigor.
- Loretta Swit (Major Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan)
- Born: November 4, 1937 (Age 87)
- M\*A\*S\*H Role: The fiercely dedicated and eventually more compassionate head nurse.
- Post-M\*A\*S\*H Career: Primarily focused on stage acting and her dedicated work as an animal rights activist.
- Current Status: She is a passionate advocate against animal cruelty and puppy mills, establishing her own non-profit organization, SwitHeart Animal Alliance. Swit is also a celebrated watercolor artist, often focusing on animal welfare themes in her work.
- Jamie Farr (Corporal Maxwell Q. Klinger)
- Born: July 1, 1934 (Age 90)
- M\*A\*S\*H Role: The cross-dressing corporal desperate for a Section 8 discharge, who later became the company clerk.
- Post-M\*A\*S\*H Career: Continued acting in film and television, and is closely associated with his hometown of Toledo, Ohio, where the annual Jamie Farr Toledo Classic golf tournament was named in his honor.
- Current Status: Farr is one of the few main cast members still alive and remains a beloved figure in classic television, often appearing at fan conventions.
- Mike Farrell (Captain B.J. Hunnicutt)
- Born: February 6, 1939 (Age 86)
- M\*A\*S\*H Role: Hawkeye's kind-hearted, family-man tentmate and surgical partner, replacing Trapper John.
- Post-M\*A\*S\*H Career: Became a prominent human rights and social justice activist.
- Current Status: Farrell has been the President of Death Penalty Focus since 1994, dedicating much of his life to abolishing the death penalty. He is also a spokesperson for Concern America, an international refugee aid organization.
- Gary Burghoff (Corporal Walter "Radar" O'Reilly)
- Born: May 24, 1943 (Age 81)
- M\*A\*S\*H Role: The innocent, prescient company clerk who could hear helicopters before anyone else.
- Post-M\*A\*S\*H Career: Focused on painting, wildlife art, and occasional stage work. He is the only actor to reprise his role from the original 1970 feature film.
- Current Status: Burghoff left the show in 1979 due to burnout and a desire to spend more time with his family. He has largely stepped away from the spotlight, dedicating himself to his art and family life.
- Harry Morgan (Colonel Sherman T. Potter)
- Born: April 10, 1915 — Died: December 7, 2011 (Age 96)
- M\*A\*S\*H Role: The no-nonsense, yet fatherly, commanding officer who replaced Henry Blake.
- Legacy: A veteran character actor with a career spanning over 60 years, Morgan won an Emmy for his role as Colonel Potter.
- David Ogden Stiers (Major Charles Emerson Winchester III)
- Born: October 31, 1942 — Died: March 3, 2018 (Age 75)
- M\*A\*S\*H Role: The aristocratic, Harvard-educated surgeon who replaced Frank Burns.
- Legacy: After *M\*A\*S\*H*, Stiers had a prolific voice acting career, most famously as the voice of Cogsworth in Disney's *Beauty and the Beast* and Jumba in *Lilo & Stitch*.
- McLean Stevenson (Lieutenant Colonel Henry Blake)
- Born: November 14, 1929 — Died: February 15, 1996 (Age 66)
- M\*A\*S\*H Role: The bumbling, laid-back original commanding officer.
- Legacy: Stevenson won a Golden Globe in 1974 for his role. His shocking departure and subsequent death scene remain one of the most memorable and controversial moments in television history.
- Wayne Rogers (Captain "Trapper" John McIntyre)
- Born: April 7, 1933 — Died: December 31, 2015 (Age 82)
- M\*A\*S\*H Role: Hawkeye's original partner in crime.
- Legacy: After leaving the show, Rogers became a highly successful investor, financial analyst, and entrepreneur, often appearing on financial news programs.
- Larry Linville (Major Frank Burns)
- Born: September 29, 1939 — Died: April 10, 2000 (Age 60)
- M\*A\*S\*H Role: The incompetent, whiny, and insecure surgeon known as "Ferret Face."
- Legacy: Linville left the show to pursue other roles, finding it creatively limiting to play the same villainous character for five seasons.
The Unexpected Activism of the M*A*S*H Stars
While the actors were known for satirizing the absurdity of war, many of the cast members have channeled their fame into serious humanitarian and political causes, which is a major part of their current legacy. This commitment to social justice is one of the most compelling aspects of the *M\*A\*S\*H* actors' lives today.
Mike Farrell’s work is perhaps the most well-known. As Captain B.J. Hunnicutt, he was the moral anchor of the 4077th, and in real life, he has taken on the mantle of a dedicated human rights advocate. His role as the head of Death Penalty Focus is a full-time commitment, making him one of Hollywood’s most prominent political activists.
Similarly, Loretta Swit, whose character Major Houlihan evolved from a strict military officer to a deeply empathetic nurse, has dedicated her post-show life to animal welfare. Her organization, SwitHeart Animal Alliance, focuses on everything from spaying and neutering programs to combating animal cruelty. She uses her celebrity platform to give a voice to animals in need, a commitment that has defined her life for decades.
Fresh Updates: Podcasts, Reunions, and New Projects
For fans seeking the most recent connection to the 4077th, several avenues have opened up in the last few years, confirming the show's lasting cultural impact. These projects provide fresh perspectives and new interviews, keeping the spirit of *M\*A\*S\*H* alive in 2025.
The January 2024 Reunion Special
The two-hour special, *M\*A\*S\*H: The Comedy That Changed Television*, aired in January 2024 and was a significant event for fans. It featured new interviews and reflections from the surviving cast members, including Alan Alda, Loretta Swit, and Mike Farrell, providing a deep dive into the show's production, its groundbreaking finale, and its enduring relevance to modern audiences.
Alan Alda's 'Clear+Vivid' Podcast
Alan Alda, at 89, continues to defy expectations. His podcast, Clear+Vivid with Alan Alda, is not a typical celebrity show but a deep exploration of how people connect and communicate. The podcast continues to release new episodes throughout 2024 and 2025, proving that Alda’s intellectual curiosity and desire to communicate remain as sharp as Hawkeye’s wit.
The 'MASH Matters' Podcast Hosted by Private Igor
One of the most exciting developments for dedicated fans is the *MASH Matters Podcast*, hosted by actor Jeff Maxwell (who played the recurring character Private Igor Straminsky) and writer Ryan Patrick. The podcast offers a fascinating, behind-the-scenes look at the show from someone who was on the set for many years. Maxwell’s unique perspective as a supporting player provides a fresh, less-explored angle on the *M\*A\*S\*H* production, offering a steady stream of new content and LSI keywords for fans.
The Enduring Legacy of the 4077th
The *M\*A\*S\*H* actors, whether through their continued work, their passionate activism, or their memorable portrayals, have solidified the show’s place in television history. The blend of comedy and tragedy, which defined the Korean War sitcom, continues to resonate, and the ongoing activities of its stars ensure that the 4077th will never truly close its doors.
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