The Indispensable Ensemble: The Soul of the Unit
Loretta Swit (Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan)
No character on M*A*S*H underwent a more profound transformation than Major Margaret Houlihan. Initially introduced as a stern, by-the-book head nurse and the object of ridicule, Loretta Swit meticulously guided Margaret into becoming one of television’s most complex female characters. She evolved from the one-dimensional “Hot Lips” into a highly competent, vulnerable, and respected leader who had earned her place through skill and perseverance. Swit won two Emmy Awards for her powerful portrayal. After the series ended, she remained deeply connected to her character, even as she pursued a vibrant career in theater, starring in productions of Mame and The Mystery of Edwin Drood. A passionate animal rights activist, she has dedicated much of her life to a variety of animal welfare causes, writing a book and creating a jewelry line to support her charities. She remains a beloved figure at fan conventions, celebrating the show and the character that became a feminist icon.
Gary Burghoff (Corporal Walter “Radar” O’Reilly)
As the preternaturally perceptive company clerk who could hear helicopters before anyone else, Gary Burghoff’s “Radar” was the innocent heart of the 4077th. He was the only main cast member to reprise his role from the 1970 Robert Altman film. For seven seasons, Radar was the audience’s surrogate, the small-town boy from Iowa trying to make sense of the madness around him. Burghoff’s departure from the show was a deeply emotional one, driven by the personal toll of the demanding schedule and a desire to spend more time with his family. After leaving, he largely stepped away from the spotlight. He reprised his famous role in the pilot for the spinoff W*A*L*T*E*R, which was not picked up. He has since focused on his other passions, becoming an accomplished jazz drummer, an inventor with a patent for a fishing tackle device, and a dedicated wildlife painter. He occasionally appears at conventions but has primarily enjoyed a quiet life outside of Hollywood.
Jamie Farr (Corporal/Sergeant Maxwell Q. Klinger)
What began as a one-episode gag—a corporal from Toledo, Ohio, who wore dresses in a desperate attempt to get a Section 8 psychiatric discharge—blossomed into one of the most beloved characters on the show. Jamie Farr’s Maxwell Klinger was a testament to perseverance, both for the character and the actor. Klinger’s schemes were legendary, but over time, he evolved into a responsible and surprisingly effective company clerk after Radar’s departure. A real-life U.S. Army veteran who served in Korea, Farr brought a subtle authenticity to his role. After M*A*S*H, he enjoyed a long and varied career, appearing in films like The Cannonball Run and doing extensive work on the stage, most notably succeeding his friend Harvey Korman in the national tour of Guys and Dolls. The proud Toledo native has remained a beloved public figure and a goodwill ambassador for his hometown.
William Christopher (Father Francis Mulcahy)
Every unit needs a chaplain, and in Father Francis Mulcahy, the 4077th had its moral compass. William Christopher portrayed the quiet, gentle priest with a subtle strength that often went overlooked amidst the camp’s chaos. Though rarely the focus of an episode, Father Mulcahy was the bedrock of the camp’s conscience, offering counsel and comfort with unwavering compassion. His character grew in prominence over the years, culminating in a powerful storyline in the finale where his hearing is damaged during a mortar attack. After the show, Christopher, along with Harry Morgan and Jamie Farr, starred in AfterMASH. A devoted family man, he dedicated much of his life to raising his autistic son, Ned, and became a public advocate for autism awareness, co-authoring the book Mixed Blessings with his wife. He continued to act in theatre and made guest appearances on television before his death on New Year’s Eve in 2016.
