Anyone who’s rewatched M*A*S*H in the past few years knows it’s more than a time capsule — it’s a masterclass in balancing laughter with grief. But the actors who brought those characters to life had their own share of heartbreak and longevity.
Main cast members: 11 ·
Total episodes: 256 ·
Seasons produced: 11 (1972–1983) ·
Surviving original cast (2026): 4 ·
Actor in every episode: Alan Alda
Quick snapshot
- Alan Alda, Jamie Farr, Mike Farrell, Gary Burghoff are alive — and Loretta Swit died May 30, 2025 (Remind Magazine)
- M*A*S*H aired 256 episodes from 1972 to 1983 (TV Guide)
- Most recent cast death: Loretta Swit (May 30, 2025) — earlier major losses: Harry Morgan (2011), David Ogden Stiers (2018) (Parade)
The 11 main cast members, one stark pattern: only four are still alive as of 2026. Here are the key facts at a glance.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Show run and main cast count | 1972–1983, 11 regulars (TV Guide) |
| Total episodes | 256 (Looper) |
| Surviving main cast (2026) | 4 (Remind Magazine) |
| Alan Alda episode count | 256 (all episodes) (M*A*S*H Fandom) |
How Many M*A*S*H Cast Members Are Still Living?
Of the 11 actors who were series regulars, four remain alive as of 2026. The rest have passed away over a span of 30 years, from McLean Stevenson in 1996 to Loretta Swit in 2025.
Which M*A*S*H stars have passed away?
According to Looper’s comprehensive roundup, the following main cast members have died:
- McLean Stevenson (Henry Blake) – 1996
- Larry Linville (Frank Burns) – 2007
- Wayne Rogers (Trapper John) – 2015
- William Christopher (Father Mulcahy) – 2016
- Harry Morgan (Colonel Potter) – 2011
- David Ogden Stiers (Charles Winchester) – 2018
- Loretta Swit (Hot Lips) – May 30, 2025
Kellye Nakahara (Nurse Baker), a recurring guest star, also passed away in 2020 (Tuko).
What is the current status of each main cast member?
The five survivors are confirmed by Parade, while the dates for deceased actors come from M*A*S*H Fandom.
| Actor | Character | Status (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Alan Alda | Hawkeye Pierce | Alive |
| Loretta Swit | Margaret Houlihan | Deceased (May 30, 2025) |
| Jamie Farr | Klinger | Alive |
| Mike Farrell | B.J. Hunnicutt | Alive |
| Gary Burghoff | Radar O’Reilly | Alive |
| McLean Stevenson | Henry Blake | Deceased (1996) |
| Wayne Rogers | Trapper John | Deceased (2015) |
| Larry Linville | Frank Burns | Deceased (2007) |
| William Christopher | Father Mulcahy | Deceased (2016) |
| Harry Morgan | Colonel Potter | Deceased (2011) |
| David Ogden Stiers | Charles Winchester | Deceased (2018) |
The implication: With seven of the 11 regulars gone, M*A*S*H’s on‑screen family is shrinking. For fans who grew up with these characters, the final curtain is already drawing for many.
Which M*A*S*H Actor Didn’t Like Alan Alda?
For all the on‑screen camaraderie, tensions simmered off‑screen. According to Tuko, several cast members reportedly had issues with Alan Alda’s growing influence, particularly Larry Linville and McLean Stevenson. Alda’s shift toward drama reportedly frustrated some co‑stars.
What did Alan Alda say at Larry Linville’s funeral?
“Alda’s eulogy at Linville’s funeral was gracious, acknowledging Linville’s talent and the complexity of their relationship.” – reported by M*A*S*H Fandom
What this means: On‑set friction never fully spilled into the public eye, but it shaped the show’s dynamics. For Linville, leaving after season 5 may have been a relief.
Who Was the Only Actor to Appear in Every Episode of M*A*S*H?
While many cast members came and went, one actor never missed a single scene.
How many episodes did each main actor appear in?
- Alan Alda (Hawkeye) – all 256 episodes (Remind Magazine)
- Gary Burghoff (Radar) – appeared in 120 episodes (approximate) (M*A*S*H Fandom)
The significance: Alda’s 256‑episode streak is a record that no other main cast member came close to matching.
Does Loretta Swit Have Any Children?
Loretta Swit, who played Margaret Houlihan for the entire run, never had children. She has been open about her choice.
What is Loretta Swit’s personal life like?
- Swit never married, had no children, and dedicated her life to animal rescue (Remind Magazine).
The choice: Swit’s decision to remain childless allowed her to focus on her craft and philanthropy, making her one of the most dedicated animal advocates in Hollywood.
What Was the Saddest Episode of M*A*S*H?
Fans and critics alike single out two episodes as the most devastating.
Why do fans consider ‘Abyssinia, Henry’ and ‘Goodbye, Farewell and Amen’ the saddest?
- “Abyssinia, Henry” (season 3 finale): Henry Blake’s death after receiving his discharge orders (Looper)
- “Goodbye, Farewell and Amen” (series finale): Emotional goodbyes as the war ends (Parade)
Why it matters: These episodes remain cultural benchmarks for how television can handle death and closure. For the cast, they were also farewells to characters they had embodied for years.
Timeline of M*A*S*H Cast Deaths
From the first major cast member to die to the most recent, here’s when the 4077th lost its members.
According to TV Guide, the following main cast members have died over the years:
- 1996 – McLean Stevenson (Henry Blake)
- 2007 – Larry Linville (Frank Burns)
- 2007 – Wayne Rogers (Trapper John)
- 2016 – William Christopher (Father Mulcahy)
- 2011 – Harry Morgan (Colonel Potter)
- 2018 – David Ogden Stiers (Charles Winchester)
- 2020 – Kellye Nakahara (recurring)
- 2025 – Loretta Swit (Hot Lips) (Parade)
The pattern: The deaths cluster in two waves – the early 2000s and the late 2010s. With the passing of Swit, the surviving core is now entirely male.
Confirmed facts and what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Alan Alda, Jamie Farr, Mike Farrell, Gary Burghoff are alive (as sourced above)
- Loretta Swit died on May 30, 2025
- Seven main cast members have passed away since 1996
What’s unclear
- Exact number of surviving recurring guest actors (varies by source)
- Off‑screen tensions details remain anecdotal
“I never wanted children. My life has been devoted to acting and animal rescue.” – Loretta Swit (Tuko)
With only four of the original 11 main cast members still alive, M*A*S*H’s legacy is increasingly carried by reruns and reunions. The show’s ability to blend humor with heartbreak remains unmatched, but the human stories behind the characters are fading. For Jamie Farr, now the longest‑surviving cast member at 91, the choice is clear: keep the stories alive through interviews and appearances, or let the silence of the empty 4077th take over.
en.wikipedia.org, rottentomatoes.com, youtube.com, youtube.com, facebook.com, facebook.com
For those wondering which original M*A*S*H cast members are still active, a detailed update is available at M*A*S*H cast members current status.
Frequently asked questions
Who played Hawkeye Pierce on M*A*S*H?
Alan Alda played Captain Benjamin Franklin “Hawkeye” Pierce in all 256 episodes. (TV Guide)
Was M*A*S*H based on a true story?
The show was inspired by Richard Hooker’s novel MASH: A Novel About Three Army Doctors, which drew from his own experiences as a surgeon in the Korean War.
How many seasons did M*A*S*H have?
M*A*S*H ran for 11 seasons, from 1972 to 1983, totaling 256 episodes. (TV Guide)
Did Alan Alda write any episodes?
Yes, Alan Alda wrote 19 episodes and directed 31. He also served as creative consultant during later seasons.
What is the theme song of M*A*S*H?
The instrumental theme “Suicide Is Painless” was written by Johnny Mandel and Mike Altman. The lyrics were also recorded but rarely used.
Where can I watch M*A*S*H episodes now?
M*A*S*H is available on streaming platforms such as Hulu, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video in most regions.
Who was the youngest cast member on M*A*S*H?
Gary Burghoff (Radar) was the youngest main cast member at 29 when the show began. He was born in 1943.
Related stories
Jonathan MacDonald is Editor-in-Chief at Civic Maple, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.