B.J. was given the honor of speaking the last word in the series. The show explained John's and Roger's absence as the military having discharged the character. After the pilot puts B.J. Wayne Rogers, who starred as the irreverently cantankerous Trapper John on TV's M*A*S*H, died Thursday . Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen (TV series episode). B.J. IMCDb.org: 1941 Indian Scout in "M*A*S*H, 1972-1983" In recent years, he has guest-starred on popular TV dramas like NCIS and American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace. Once the degree of MD is conferred on a member of the military, they are given the rank of Captain in both the Army and the Air Force. Despite his friendship with Hawkeye, it is implied that Trapper never bothered to contact him for the remainder of the war to apologize for his awkward departure; even though that was completely selfish and out of character on his part, it was probably the writers' intent to not let his departed character cast a negative shadow on his replacement, B.J. Burghoff is notable for being the only actor from the movie MASH (1970) to reprise his role as a main cast member on the television series. He is Hawkeye's partner in chaos initially, but is replaced by Trapper John once he arrives. 1922 (?) In 2001, Rogers made Destin, Florida, his home. THEN: TV veteran Harry Morgan stepped into McLean Stevensons army boots, playing the gruff-but-loveable camp commander Colonel Potter through the end of the series and into the spinoff AfterM*A*S*H. NOW: Morgan passed in his sleep in 2011 at the age of 96. Gary Burghoff and Edward Winter also appeared as guests. [1] He graduated from Princeton University in 1954 with a history degree, and was a member of the Princeton Triangle Club and the eating club Tiger Inn. Whenever I see a big pair of feet or a cheesy mustache, I'll think of you." Centered around the exploits of Army surgeons in the fictional Mobile Army Surgical Hospital 4077 during the Korean War, the show began as a spinoff of the hit Robert Altman film released in 1970, which in turn was an adaptation of the bestseller M*A*S*H: A Novel About Three Doctors. THEN: Standup comedian McLean Stevenson played the commanding officer of the 4077, Henry Blake, for three years before leaving to find starring roles in other shows and movies. to replace the departed Trapper John as Hawkeye's best friend, and they did many things together, including going to Tokyo on R&R (Dear Comrade). When he joined the show, he had B.J. McIntyre is portrayed by Elliott Gould in the 1970 film, by Wayne Rogers in the first three seasons of the television series, and then by Pernell Roberts in the 1979-86 series Trapper John, M.D. His exit is abrupt and, in the show, only explained as Trapper having been "discharged," though viewers are offered no other explanation. Some of the actors who starred in M*A*S*Hhad actual military experience to draw from when it came to their scenes. Nurse Bayliss was one of the few Black actors to appear as a recurring character on the show, and she was prominently featured in the season two episode "Dear Dad Three" in which she is forced to treat an angry and racist patient. But the guy who I think gave MASH its character was Col Potter Wayne went on to act in another medical show, House Calls, after leaving M*A*S*H. He passed away in 2015. In 1988 and 1990, he appeared before the United States House Committee on the Judiciary as an expert witness, testifying in favor of retaining the banking laws enacted under the GlassSteagall Legislation act of 1933. ", "I'm a temporarily misassigned civilian.". Despite B.J. THEN: Wayne Rogers played surgeon Captain John "Trapper" McIntyre, Hawkeye's partner-in-crime in the show's first three seasons, before leaving . [7], Rogers died on December 31, 2015, from complications of pneumonia in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 82. B.J. is from California. But Hawkeye stopped him before he did anything, gently reminding him that, being doctors, they were there to save lives, not take them. [8][9] He died exactly one year before fellow M*A*S*H cast member William Christopher. Louise referred to as such once on the "M*A*S*H" TV seriesMelanie (depicted on Trapper John, M.D. George Morgan (Father Mulcahy - Pilot Episode Only), one of the most popular sitcoms of all time, only the most popular shows can run for ten seasons or more, many of the main cast members have passed away, she's only had one acting role since the 1990s, The Real Reason Shelley Long Left 'Cheers', Why Julia-Louis Dreyfus Has Never Seen The First Episode Of Seinfeld, Catherine Hicks Would Only Revive 7th Heaven Under One Condition And It Involves Stephen Collins' Character In A Coffin, The Tragic Truth About What Happened To Reba Star Scarlett Pomers, Kevin Sussman Admitted That A Lot Of Stuart On The Big Bang Theory Was Him Acting As Himself. was originally intended as a continuation of the departed Trapper John, with many of the latter's habits and mannerisms initially being retained through B.J. RELATED: M*A*S*H Star David Ogden Stiers Passes Away at 75. B.J. He was one of only two actors to reprise a role from the movie, MASH (1970), on which this series was based. In 1981, he played the role of an art forger in Roger Vadim's The Hot Touch. himself; he explains that he only got as far as Guam (one-third of the way home) before finding out that all flights are canceled, his orders had been rescinded, and that he was ordered back to the 4077th. ", ~Hawkeye when he remembers Trapper John, telling Duke about how Trapper got his nickname (1970 film), "Trapper" John McIntyre During its 11-season run, the staff at the 4077th celebrated theholiday four times. Crmetteer. The film was directed by Robert Altman and starred Donald Sutherland as Hawkeye Pierce and Elliott Gould as Trapper John McIntyre. And while the show has been off the air for a long time, its influence and legacy will never die. Although the title had no punctuation onscreen, i.e. Fans who tuned in for the series penultimate episode, "As Time Goes By," know that there was a time capsule buried by the characters. Rogers enjoyed working with Alda and the rest of the cast as a whole (Alda and Rogers quickly became close friends), but eventually chafed that the writers were devoting the show's best humorous and dramatic moments to Alda. 's relatives asking them what "B.J." THEN: Alongside Alda, Loretta Swit was one of the longest-serving members of the 4077, playing head nurse and stickler for the rules Margaret Hot Lips Houlihan for all 11 seasons. tries to reassure him that they will still get to see one another back home, but with each of them living on an opposite coast, Hawkeye doesn't see how and becomes convinced that once they go home they'll never see one another again; B.J., however, refuses to accept that finality. 6'3" Allegedly, he had an issue with the contract's "morals clause" when it was presented to him. Throughout M*A*S*H 's run, fans watched Radar, played by Gary Burghoff, grow from a naive 18-year-old who was just drafted with his teddy bear by his side to a man who was the glue that held the 4077th together. Which 'M*A*S*H' Cast Members Are Still Alive Today? It's fun to revisit some of the shows of yesteryear and discover just what was going on during filming, what the series was actually based on, and other fun hidden facts about the programs. When they finally arrive back in camp, Hawkeye introduces Frank to B.J., who drunkenly salutes and greets Frank saying, "What say, Ferret Face?". is an excellent doctor, which is noticed even by Frank's replacement, Major Winchester, though he bristles at the fact that B.J. The show ran from 1972-1983, which puts it in elite company after all, only the most popular shows can run for ten seasons or more. Klinger was only meant to appear in one episode of the show, and the character wasn't even in the book. Rogers played Trapper John, usually acting opposite of Alan Alda's Hawkeye. ", and the nickname "Trapper John" permanently stuck. He also took insults to his familial loyalty very personally. He was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar in 2004 for his role in The Aviator. The character of B.J. TV series) ", Related: The Real Reason Shelley Long Left 'Cheers'. Rogers began to test the stock and real estate markets during his tenure as a M*A*S*H cast member and became a successful money manager and investor. He was the youngest of the main characters on the show, and was 78 in 2022. then tells about how he got drafted during residency in Sausalito while his wife Peg was eight months pregnant. By the end of the third season, Rogers was fed up with the fact that Trapper was being treated as a sidekick instead of an equal. Hunnicutt replaced Trapper John in the show's fourth season, he was a young, clean-shaven, mild-mannered doctor drafted into the Korean War. A total of 15 M*A*S*H novels were published between 1968 and 1977, some co-authored by William E. Butterworth. It starred Alan Alda as Hawkeye Pierce and Wayne Rogers as Trapper John McIntyre. First appeared in: I can't imagine what this place would have been like if I hadn't found you here." Out of the characters onM*A*S*H*,the most famous is not Hawkeye Pierce or Maxwell Klinger. The strain and stress of being apart from his family, plus his alcohol addiction, caused Trapper to suffer a severe case of stomach ulcers which almost got him transferred home (Check-Up), but when he finds out that the Army no longer discharges personnel for ulcers, Trapper is offered a transfer to another hospital for treatment, but decides to stay on at the 4077th. Although the show depicted many truths to the war, it also avoided some that painted the troops in an unpatriotic light. Boston born and raised, John McIntyre is a thoracic surgeon (chest cutter), and in the film is appointed chief surgeon at the 4077th. Sara Sanderson is a writer, author, and teacher who produces content for a variety of publications, both on and offline, beneath various names. There were plenty of other details that were either omitted, changed or exaggerated as well, including the length of the war. Show was on another level when they replaced most of the earlier characters. Rogers also played a role in Odds Against Tomorrow, which was nominated for a Golden Globe Award in 1960 as Best Film Promoting International Understanding. Surgeon at the 4077th M*A*S*H In the film he had a very dry and sardonic sense of humor, while in the TV series he was more of a clown. Odessa Cleveland appeared on M*A*S*H from 1972-1975 as Ginger Bayliss, one of the most frequently featured nurses over the first few seasons. Captain B.J. The Korean War lasted under four years, yet the show itself ran for 11 years. Almost all versions of the series fit into the genre of black comedy or dramedy; the lead characters were doctors or nurses, and the practice of medicine was at the center of events. His interest in science has led to work as a visiting professor at Stony Brook, where he founded the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science. And in his place was Mike Farrell playing Capt. Before Farr acted on M*A*S*H, he actually did serve in Korea with the United States Army, and according to an article Farr wrote for the U.S. Trapper John, M.D. But B.J. The movie was set during the Korean War and followed irreverent army surgeons "Hawkeye" Pierce and "Trapper" John, played by Donald Sutherland and Elliott Gould respectively. That means doctors and nurses at the numerousMobile Army Surgical Hospitals were there for three Christmases. In addition to The Things, Leo writes for Inside the Phillies on Sports Illustrated, Pitcher List, and Baseball Prospectus, and his comedy writing has been featured in The Beaverton and in festivals across the world. said, but motions for the pilot to take off nonetheless. THEN: Wayne Rogers played surgeon Captain John Trapper McIntyre, Hawkeyes partner-in-crime in the shows first three seasons, before leaving to pursue other work. The rank of Captain is achieved after 7 years of active duty service or a field promotion for officers on the line side (fighting). Monster M*A*S*H is a FANDOM TV Community. Trapper John, M.D. This series is the most popular and best-known version of the franchise and was ranked #25 in TV Guide's "50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time". Hunnicutt. RELATED: 12 Most Controversial TV Episodes Ever Aired. At one point, Trapper was about to adopt a Korean orphan boy (Kim), and was crushed when the boy's actual mother came looking for him. Early on, Trapper and Hawkeye were partners, both partaking in hedonistic pursuits and playing practical jokes on Majors Frank Burns and Margaret Houlihan. Much of the story line of Trapper John, M.D. This article is about the media franchise. secretly manipulates things to where Charles again gets victimized (again losing his pants) while Hawkeye is vilified by the others and B.J. He wrote his novel in 1956. As they get airborne, a smile grows on Hawkeye's face as he sees B.J. Especially in the episodes where he played the drums. You think a lot of people will be tuning in to see the series finale of Supernatural this year, or Law and Order: SVU (whenever that happens)? He found the character too cynical, however, and asked to screen test as Trapper John, whose outlook was brighter. itself; when Hawkeye rhetorically asks who would name their son "B.J. Hazel In 1990, Rogers co-starred with Connie Selleca in the CBS made-for-television movie Miracle Landing based on the true story of the 1988 Aloha Airlines Flight 243 crash landing after an explosive cabin depressurization. 2 daughters, Kathy & Becky (mentioned on M*A*S*H TV series) Dr. John 'J.T.' He was also greatly frustrated with the producers demanding that he sign a contract that included a "morality clause" which stated the producers had the right to suspend him or fire him if he took part in an acting project outside of M*A*S*H without their approval, which he refused to sign because he saw it as an absurd demand. In addition to the disputes about contracts, he says he also left M*A*S*H (1972) because he felt the writers were not giving Trapper John any character development. Fox developed a M*A*S*H video game that was released for the Atari 2600, Atari 8-bit family and the TI-99/4A. He guest starred on an episode of the CBS western Johnny Ringo. 'Trapper' John! NEXT:20 Mistakes In Iconic Sitcoms Only True Fans Noticed. The two exchange a long brotherly embrace, and Hawkeye boards a chopper while B.J., now wielding his San Francisco sign from the fingerpost, gets back on his motorcycle, but says one last thing to Hawkeye before he rides off: "I'll see you back in the States. THEN: David Ogden Stiers character Winchester replaced Frank Burns as Hawkeyes foe, although Charles Emerson Winchester III was a little more rounded, being less antagonistic and more stuffy and pompous, if kindhearted. : Eventually, B.J. And filling the famous classic TV shoes was absolutely "terrifying." When Farrell arrived, the show had already built a strong following. Captain "Trapper John" McIntyre (born John Francis Xavier McIntyre), is a character in Richard Hooker's M*A*S*H novels, as well as in the 1970 film and two TV series. George Morgan played the role of Father Mulcahy in the pilot episode of M*A*S*H, but when the character next appeared he was played by a new actor William Christopher. He was replaced on the show by Mike . In Bottoms Up, after he stages a prank with Hawkeye during which Charles loses his pants in the OR (for which Hawkeye was blamed), B.J. So I would still go witrh Trapper. NOW: Jamie Farr has most recently appeared in MeTV promos for M*A*S*H reruns as well as the Fox sitcom The Cool Kids. Why did Trapper leave M*A*S*H? Audiences still looked forward to seeing which outfit Klinger would wear next and what stunts he'd pull to attempt getting discharged. He was replaced on the show by Mike Farrell, who played B.J. However, to relieve the pressures of duty in a field hospital close to the front and the attendant horrors of war, the staff engage in humorous hijinks, frivolity, and petty rivalries off-duty. Farrell's wife at the time, Judy Farrell, also acted on M*A*S*H in the recurring role of Nurse Able. 1970 MASH film and M*A*S*H and Trapper John, M.D. When they return to the site, all that remains are the foundations of the wood and metal buildings. Like many great long-lasting TV shows, many of the guest stars who appeared in M*A*S*Hwent on to become A-list actors. Lucille Ball's Daughter Lucie Arnaz Is Honoring Her Mom on 'Will and Grace', The Real Reason Why Frank Burns (Larry Linville) Left 'M*A*S*H'. Rogers never gave an official reason why he walked away from the show, but Farrell has an idea. But immediately after Hunnicutt departs, his orders are rescinded, and he only gets as far as Guam before being sent back to the 4077th, by which time Hawkeye has returned. Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place! While discussing Fr. Birthplace: Incorrectly regarded as a goof in the series is him being shown as a Captain. TV series The U.S. entered the Korean conflict at the end of June 1950. In the end, Hawkeye thinks he has won until the others all point out to him that he never actually saw any of them get pranked; B.J. Captain B. J. Hunnicutt is played by Mike Farrell in the TV show. Rogers co-starred with Robert Bray and Richard Eyer in the western series Stagecoach West on ABC from 1960 to 1961. Walter "Radar" O'Reilly is perhaps one of the most beloved characters in television history. Back when TV shows like M*A*S*H, Cheers, Hill Street Blues, and other beloved hits of the 1970s and '80s first aired, fans didn't have the internet to connect them to the latest news and tidbits about actors, their lives, and behind-the-scenes insider information.