Gary Burghoff: Life After M*A*S*H and Why He Left the Show

Few television characters are as beloved as Radar O’Reilly, and the man who played him, Gary Burghoff, created something unforgettable. He walked away from the biggest show on TV—and never looked back.

Full Name: Gary Rich Burghoff ·
Born: May 24, 1943 ·
Known For: Radar O’Reilly on M*A*S*H ·
Emmy Award: 1977 – Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series ·
Years Active: 1967–present

Eight key facts about Gary Burghoff, one pattern: nearly every major milestone circles back to a single iconic role and a quiet life after it.

The table below captures the essential details of his biography.

The implication: Burghoff’s public footprint is remarkably small for a former star of the highest-rated sitcom finale in history. That’s by design.

Do Alan Alda and Gary Burghoff get along?

Are Alan Alda and Gary Burghoff friends now?

• No public feud has ever been confirmed. Both have spoken respectfully in later interviews—Alda once called Burghoff “a wonderful actor, very dedicated” (IMDb Trivia (fan-contributions)).
• Burghoff has not appeared on Alda’s podcast or in recent public events together, suggesting a cordial but distant post-show relationship.

Why did Alan Alda dislike Gary Burghoff?

• There is no verified evidence that Alda disliked Burghoff. Speculation stems from Burghoff’s reported unhappiness with the show’s direction and Alda’s growing influence (YouTube (video commentary)).
• IMDb Trivia (fan-contributions) frames the departure as a mix of business and personal reasons rather than a single conflict.

Which actor didn’t like Alan Alda on MASH?

• Multiple cast members, notably McLean Stevenson, had well-publicized conflicts with Alda over creative control. Burghoff’s tension was less overt—more about workload and direction than personal animosity (IMDb Trivia (fan-contributions)).

What is Alan Alda’s disease?

• Alda publicly disclosed in 2018 that he has Parkinson’s disease. He continues to work and advocate for science communication.

The pattern: The narrative of a feud has been overstated. The available evidence points to professional friction and exhaustion—not a personal vendetta—as the driver behind Burghoff’s exit.

What is Gary Burghoff doing now?

Where is Gary Burghoff now?

• He lives in California with his wife Janet, focusing on painting and nature, and rarely gives interviews (IMDb (crowd-sourced film database)).

What is Gary Burghoff doing in 2025?

• As of 2025, Burghoff is alive at age 81 (born 1943). He occasionally attends M*A*S*H conventions and reunions but has not returned to acting (IMDb (crowd-sourced film database)).

Is Gary Burghoff still alive?

• Yes. Burghoff is alive as of mid-2025. He maintains a low profile, and no credible reports suggest otherwise.

The trade-off: Burghoff chose family and personal fulfillment over continued fame—a path that makes him a rare case among sitcom legends.

Does Gary Burghoff have a disability?

Burghoff was born with a congenital condition that left his left hand missing a finger. The condition is frequently described as Poland syndrome with brachydactyly, meaning the fingers on his left hand were significantly smaller (MeTV (classic TV network)).

What happened to Gary Burghoff’s hand?

• He often concealed the hand on M*A*S*H by keeping it in his pockets or using props like a clipboard (IMDb Trivia (fan-contributions)).
• The condition did not limit his acting career—he turned it into an invisible detail that rarely came up publicly (MeTV (classic TV network)).

What this means: Burghoff’s hand difference was a manageable part of his life, not a career barrier. He openly discussed it in later years, normalizing physical variation in Hollywood.

Why was Gary Burghoff written off MASH?

Burghoff left M*A*S*H after the 1979 season (season 7) of his own accord. He felt burned out from the grueling schedule and wanted to spend more time with his growing family. The character Radar O’Reilly was written out with a transfer to a stateside unit (IMDb Trivia (fan-contributions)).

• Voluntary departure: Contrary to persistent rumors, there was no single dramatic firing or ultimatum.
• Contract factors: IMDb trivia notes that contract disputes and limited film opportunities also played a role (IMDb Trivia (fan-contributions)).

The catch: The story of a bitter walkout is largely myth. Burghoff’s exit was pragmatic—a decision between career and family, and family won.

Who is still alive from MASH 4077?

As of 2025, several main cast members are still living. Below is a status snapshot of the core M*A*S*H 4077 unit.

• Alan Alda (Hawkeye) – Alive, 89 years old.
• Gary Burghoff (Radar) – Alive, 81.
• Loretta Swit (Hot Lips) – Alive, 87.
• Jamie Farr (Klinger) – Alive, 91.
• William Christopher (Father Mulcahy) – Died 2016.
• Harry Morgan (Colonel Potter) – Died 2011.
• McLean Stevenson (Henry Blake) – Died 1996.
• Larry Linville (Frank Burns) – Died 2000.

Why this matters: With the show now more than 50 years old, the question of who’s still alive reflects a natural curiosity about a beloved ensemble that defined a generation of TV.

Timeline

• May 24, 1943 – Born in Bristol, Connecticut.
• 1967 – Debuts as Charlie Brown in the off-Broadway musical You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.
• 1970 – Marries Janet Burghoff.
• 1972 – Cast as Radar O’Reilly in the TV series M*A*S*H.
• 1977 – Wins Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.
• 1979 – Leaves M*A*S*H after season 7.
• 1980s–1990s – Appears in TV movies and guest roles; returns to theater.
• Early 2000s – Retires from acting; focuses on painting and family.
• 2025 – Still alive, living privately in California.

The pattern: Burghoff’s arc is one of deliberate withdrawal—after a meteoric rise, he chose a quiet finale, not a third act.

Confirmed Facts vs. What’s Unclear

Quotes

I was tired. I wanted to be with my family.

— Gary Burghoff, on leaving M*A*S*H (2002 interview, as reported by IMDb)

He was a wonderful actor, very dedicated.

— Alan Alda, on working with Burghoff (2015 interview, as reported by IMDb)

I never let it stop me. It’s just a part of me.

— Gary Burghoff, on his hand condition (1998 interview, as reported by MeTV)

For the millions of M*A*S*H fans who grew up with Radar O’Reilly, the story of Gary Burghoff is a reminder that sometimes the most memorable characters are played by people who value a quiet life over the spotlight. His decision to walk away from the biggest show of its era, without regret, says something about priorities that resonates far beyond Hollywood.

Frequently Asked Questions