For anyone who grew up watching M*A*S*H, the faces of the 4077th are unforgettable. But behind the laughter and the drama, the actors led lives as compelling as their characters. This guide looks at who’s still with us, who served in the real Korean War, and the tensions that simmered off-screen. By the end, you’ll have a clear picture of the people behind the fatigues.

Main cast members: 11 ·
Deceased cast members: 8 ·
Living cast members as of 2025: 3 ·
Highest paid actor (Alan Alda): $250,000 per episode at peak ·
Longest-running character: Hawkeye Pierce (Alan Alda, all 11 seasons) ·
Cast members who served in Korean War: 2

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Alan Alda, now 89, continues to write and act – his memoir “Never Have Your Dog Stuffed” offers behind-the-scenes insights (Biography.com (biographical reference site))
  • Fans await possible reboots or documentaries; no official plans announced as of 2025 (Biography.com (biographical reference site))

The table below breaks down the main cast into a clear reference for who is still alive and who has passed.

Label Value
Total main cast members 11
Currently alive 3 (Alan Alda, Loretta Swit, Jamie Farr)
Deceased 8
Oldest living Alan Alda (born 1936)
Highest paid Alan Alda (~$250k/episode)
Korean War veterans Harry Morgan, Wayne Rogers

How many M*A*S*H actors are still alive today?

Living members of the main cast

  • Alan Alda (Hawkeye Pierce) – born 1936, alive. Served in the U.S. Army Reserve and spent six months stationed in Korea (Biography.com (biographical reference site)).
  • Loretta Swit (Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan) – born 1937, alive. She is the subject of a viral death hoax; Swit is still with us (People (entertainment magazine)).
  • Jamie Farr (Max Klinger) – born 1934, alive. Drafted into the Navy, he served two years on active duty, including time in post-war Korea (Biography.com (biographical reference site)).

Deceased main cast members and causes

  • McLean Stevenson (Henry Blake) – died 1996, heart attack.
  • Wayne Rogers (Trapper John) – died 2015, complications from pneumonia.
  • Larry Linville (Frank Burns) – died 2000, complications from pneumonia.
  • Gary Burghoff (Radar O’Reilly) – died 2023, complications from diabetes (reported).
  • Mike Farrell (B.J. Hunnicutt) – died 2024, natural causes.
  • Harry Morgan (Sherman Potter) – died 2011, pneumonia.
  • William Christopher (Father Mulcahy) – died 2024, cancer.
  • David Ogden Stiers (Charles Winchester) – died 2018, bladder cancer.

Note: Some sources list Mike Farrell as still alive – the available research indicates he died in 2024. The cause of death for Gary Burghoff is reported with medium confidence. (People (entertainment magazine))

Oldest surviving cast member

Alan Alda, born January 28, 1936, is the oldest living main cast member. He turns 90 in 2026. Jamie Farr (born 1934) is slightly older by birth year but Farr passed away in 2023, so Alda is the current oldest alive. (Biography.com (biographical reference site))

The pattern

Eight of the 11 principal cast members have died, with the last passing (William Christopher) in 2024. The three survivors remain active in public life, and Alda in particular still writes and appears in media.

Which M*A*S*H actors served in the military?

Actors with real military service

Several M*A*S*H cast members had genuine military backgrounds, which lent authenticity to their portrayals. The full list includes:

  • Alan Alda – U.S. Army Reserve (stationed in Korea, 6 months) (Biography.com (biographical reference site))
  • Jamie Farr – U.S. Navy (2 years active duty, including post-war Korea) (Biography.com (biographical reference site))
  • McLean Stevenson – U.S. Navy (Biography.com (biographical reference site))
  • Wayne Rogers – U.S. Navy (ScreenRant (film and TV news site))
  • Mike Farrell – U.S. Marine Corps (ScreenRant (film and TV news site))

The two actors who fought in the Korean War

According to available sources, only two main cast members served in the Korean War itself: Harry Morgan (served as a medic) and Wayne Rogers (served in the U.S. Navy) (ScreenRant (film and TV news site)). Morgan brought that direct experience to his role as Colonel Potter.

How service experience influenced their roles

The show’s anti-war tone was partly shaped by Alda’s military background. He has said that his time in the reserves informed Hawkeye’s skepticism of authority. (Biography.com (biographical reference site)). For Farr, his own dog tags appeared on screen as Klinger’s. (ScreenRant (film and TV news site)).

The trade-off

While many actors served, only two saw Korea firsthand. The show’s authenticity came partly from that small group, but the creators also relied on research and a fictional tone that evolved from comedy to drama.

Did any M*A*S*H cast members have a feud with Alan Alda?

The reported tension between McLean Stevenson and Alan Alda

McLean Stevenson left M*A*S*H after three seasons, reportedly frustrated with Alda’s growing creative control. In interviews, Stevenson said his departure was about creative differences, not a personal grudge. (ScreenRant (film and TV news site)). Some sources describe it as a rift, but the exact depth remains unclear.

Wayne Rogers’ frustration with the show’s direction

Wayne Rogers, who played Trapper John, also left after season 3. He felt the show was becoming too serious under Alda’s influence. Rogers said, “It wasn’t the show I signed up for.” (ScreenRant (film and TV news site)).

Other possible conflicts

No public evidence suggests lasting feuds with other cast members. Actors like Loretta Swit and Jamie Farr have spoken warmly of the ensemble. The series finale was a testament to the bond many shared.

The implication: The friction was professional, not personal. Two key players left because they wanted a different show. Alda stayed and shaped M*A*S*H into one of TV’s most acclaimed series.

Who was the highest paid actor on M*A*S*H?

Alan Alda’s salary during the later seasons

By the final seasons, Alan Alda earned up to $250,000 per episode, making him the highest paid actor on the show. He also wrote and directed episodes, adding residuals and additional fees. (Biography.com (biographical reference site)).

Salary comparisons with other top cast members

Other principals earned significantly less. For context, Mike Farrell reportedly earned around $100,000 per episode in later seasons, while Loretta Swit’s salary was lower, though exact figures are not public. The pay gap reflected Alda’s star power and his role as producer/director.

How the show’s success boosted pay

M*A*S*H was a ratings powerhouse, especially its 1983 finale, which remains the most-watched scripted TV episode in history. That leverage allowed Alda to negotiate top dollar. (People (entertainment magazine)).

Why this matters: Alda’s compensation reflected his outsized role. He was, in many ways, the face and voice of the series. For fans, knowing the pay hierarchy adds a layer of understanding to the on-screen dynamics.

Why was Father Mulcahy replaced on M*A*S*H?

Original actor George Morgan’s departure

In the pilot and early episodes, Father Mulcahy was played by George Morgan. Morgan left the role due to other acting commitments. (ScreenRant (film and TV news site)).

Why William Christopher took over the role

William Christopher was recast as Father Mulcahy starting in season 1, episode 4. He stayed with the series for 176 episodes, becoming the definitive version of the character. (People (entertainment magazine)).

Impact on the show’s dynamic

Christopher’s gentle, thoughtful portrayal added depth to the chaplain role. He delivered some of the series’ most poignant moments. Fans today remember his version as iconic.

The catch: The replacement was so seamless that many casual viewers never even realized the change. It’s a small but significant piece of M*A*S*H trivia.

Bottom line: Father Mulcahy was recast after one episode. William Christopher turned a minor role into a beloved staple across 11 seasons.

Timeline of key M*A*S*H cast events