Category: Entertainment | Title: Actor from MASH Who Died: Key Facts and Career Timeline | Tag: MASH cast | Meta Description: Facts about the actor from MASH who died, including career highlights, roles, and public records...
Actor from MASH Who Died: Identity and Basic Facts
The actor from MASH who died is Larry Linville, best known for playing Frank Burns in the early seasons of the classic television series M*A*S*H. He was born on September 29, 1939, in Ojai, California, and passed away on April 10, 2000, at the age of 60. His death was attributed to cancer, according to public records and reports from trusted entertainment outlets Forbes.
Linville joined M*A*S*H in 1972 and remained with the show until 1977, appearing in 68 episodes during the first five seasons. His portrayal of the abrasive, incompetent Frank Burns became one of the defining characters of the series' early run. After leaving the show, he continued acting in television and film, though he never again reached the same level of mainstream recognition.
Career Highlights and Other Notable Roles
Television Work Before and After M*A*S*H
Before M*A*S*H, Larry Linville appeared in various television series and commercials throughout the 1960s and early 1970s. After his departure from M*A*S*H, he took roles in shows such as IMDb and other network programs, often playing supporting or character roles that showcased his comedic timing.
His most enduring role remains Frank Burns, a character whose incompetence and self-importance provided much of the early comedic tension on M*A*S*H. The character was eventually written out of the show, with the storyline explaining that Frank was transferred back to the United States. Linville's exit opened the door for the introduction of new characters, including Harry Morgan as Colonel Sherman T. Potter.
Legacy and Public Record of the Actor from MASH Who Died
Death, Cause, and Public Response
Larry Linville died on April 10, 2000, at a hospital in New York City. His death was widely reported by entertainment news outlets and confirmed by his family. The cause of death was cancer, though specific details about his treatment and final days were kept private by his relatives The New York Times.
Public tributes following his death highlighted his contribution to one of the most acclaimed sitcoms in television history. M*A*S*H consistently ranks among the top-rated and most influential TV series, with its final episode still holding the record for the largest single-network television audience in U.S. history TV Guide. Linville's work as Frank Burns remains a key part of that legacy, even though the character was phased out before the series' conclusion.