As of 2026, only a handful of the principal MAS*H cast members remain. The show that defined television comedy-drama from 1972-1983 has seen many of its stars pass on, but a few treasured actors from the 4077th endure.
Alan Alda (age 89) - The iconic Hawkeye Pierce remains the heart of MASH. At 89, Alda is one of only two surviving members of the original Season 1 cast (alongside Gary Burghoff). He is the only actor to appear in all 256 episodes of the series. Beyond MASH, Alda starred in films including "Same Time, Next Year" and "The Aviator," and hosted the PBS series "Scientific American Frontiers" for 13 years. He has been married to actress Arlene Alda since 1957 [1].
Mike Farrell (age 87) - The beloved B.J. Hunnicutt, who joined the show in Season 4 replacing Wayne Rogers, is now 87. After MAS*H, Farrell became a prominent activist for human rights and animal rights. He wrote two books and continued acting in television, including guest appearances on "Desperate Housewives" and "Criminal Minds" [2].
Gary Burghoff (age 81) - The man behind Radar O'Reilly is now 81. Burghoff was the only actor to appear in both the original 1970 MASH film and the television series. He left MASH after Season 8, with his character written out in the two-part episode "Good-Bye Radar."
Burghoff chose to leave because his "life at that time, it was a beautiful picture that was all crooked, and I had to step back, big time, in order to grow as a human being." He had a seven-year contract and simply didn't renegotiate because he was "stepping back from everything." He also felt he wasn't being given enough to do on the series. Additionally, problems in his marriage had begun to affect his performance. After the show, Burghoff worked as a spokesman for BP and IBM and appeared on various game shows [3].
Jamie Farr (age 90) - Maxwell Klinger himself is approaching 91. Farr was originally brought on as a recurring character but became a regular starting in Season 4. His portrayal of the cross-dressing combat medic who became company clerk made him a fan favorite. He is the longest-lived principal cast member and appeared in all 11 seasons [4].
Loretta Swit (1937-2025) - Major "Hot Lips" Houlihan passed away on May 30, 2025, at age 87. The two-time Emmy winner was the only other cast member besides Alan Alda to appear in both the pilot and the finale. Swit also starred in the film pilot for "Cagney & Lacey" but her MAS*H obligations prevented her from taking the role permanently. She was a passionate animal rights activist, running the Switheart Animal Alliance [5].
Harry Morgan (1915-2011) - Colonel Sherman T. Potter passed away at age 96 in 2011. He joined in Season 4 replacing McLean Stevenson's Henry Blake and brought dignity and gravitas to the role of commanding officer.
David Ogden Stiers (1947-2018) - Charles Emerson Winchester III died in 2018 at age 75. The acclaimed actor brought arrogance and occasional vulnerability to the character who replaced Frank Burns.
William Christopher (1932-2016) - Father Mulcahy passed away in 2016 at age 84. He remained active in the spin-off series "AfterMASH."
McLean Stevenson (1927-1996) - Henry Blake himself died in 1996 at age 69, just one year after Loretta Swit's husband Dennis Holahan.
Larry Linville (1939-2000) - Frank Burns died in 2000 at age 60 from pneumonia following cancer surgery.
Wayne Rogers (1933-2023) - Trapper John passed away in 2023 at age 84. He left MAS*H after Season 3. Rogers wanted to pursue film opportunities and felt the role was limiting his career. He had not signed a formal contract with 20th Century Fox, and when the studio sued him for breach of contract, the lawsuit collapsed. His character was written out in "Welcome to Korea," the first episode of Season 4, with Trapper leaving for a transfer to Japan without saying goodbye to anyone. This was notably less dramatic than Henry Blake's exit in the previous episode.
The passing of the MAS*H cast marks the end of an era in television history. The show's blend of comedy and drama revolutionized what television could achieve, and its messages about war, humanity, and compassion continue to resonate. The surviving cast members carry forward the legacy of what many consider the greatest television series ever made.