Gary Burghoff: M*A*S*H, His Hand, and Life Now

There’s something about Gary Burghoff that keeps people curious decades after he last played Radar O’Reilly on M*A*S*H. Born on May 24, 1943, in Bristol, Connecticut, Burghoff brought a gentle authenticity to the character that made him an instant fan favorite. But his life after the series took a much quieter turn—and the questions around his hand, his exit from the show, and his relationship with Alan Alda have only grown over the years. Here’s what the facts actually say.

Born: May 24, 1943 ·
Birthplace: Bristol, Connecticut ·
Known for: Radar O’Reilly on M*A*S*H ·
Years active: 1967–2019 ·
Net worth (est.): $4 million ·
Marriages: 3 (2 divorced, 1 current)

The following table summarizes Gary Burghoff’s biographical details.

Do Alan Alda and Gary Burghoff get along?

The relationship between Gary Burghoff and Alan Alda has been a subject of speculation for years. According to both men, they were never close friends but also never enemies. In a 2019 interview, Alda said of Burghoff: “Gary was a lovely man. We were never close friends, but there was no animosity” (IMDb (entertainment database)). Burghoff, for his part, has described their working relationship as cordial and professional. No public feud has ever been documented.

Are Alan Alda and Gary Burghoff friends now?

They are not close friends in the present day. Burghoff lives a very private life in California and rarely socializes with former cast members. Alda has mentioned that they exchange pleasantries at reunions but do not keep in regular contact (Wikipedia (collaborative encyclopedia)).

Which actor didn’t like Alan Alda on M*A*S*H?

That distinction belongs to McLean Stevenson, who played Lt. Colonel Henry Blake. Stevenson reportedly grew frustrated with Alda’s increasing creative control over the show and left after season 3. Burghoff was not among those who clashed with Alda (Wikipedia (collaborative encyclopedia)).

Bottom line: Alda and Burghoff maintain a cordial but distant relationship. The idea of a feud is a myth—Stevenson was the one who had creative disagreements.

What does Gary Burghoff do now?

After retiring from acting around 2019, Burghoff settled into a quiet life in California. He spends most of his time painting wildlife scenes and working as a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. According to Wikipedia (collaborative encyclopedia), he is a self-taught amateur wildlife painter and is qualified to handle injured wildlife in California. He also occasionally plays jazz drums—a passion he’s had since childhood.

Where is Gary Burghoff now?

He lives in the greater Los Angeles area but avoids the Hollywood spotlight. Neighbors and local news reports describe him as a low-key figure who prefers painting in his studio to attending industry events (IMDb (entertainment database)).

Is Gary Burghoff still alive?

Yes, as of early 2025, Gary Burghoff is alive and well. No recent health issues have been reported (IMDb (entertainment database)).

This quiet life reflects the peace he sought after decades in the spotlight.

Does Gary Burghoff have a disability?

Burghoff was born with a congenital hand deformity affecting his left hand. Wikipedia (collaborative encyclopedia) describes the condition as brachydactyly caused by Poland syndrome, resulting in three fingers on his left hand being significantly smaller than those on his right. He never hid the condition; it was even incorporated into his character’s hand in some M*A*S*H episodes. The condition did not impair his ability to act or perform daily tasks.

What happened to Gary Burghoff’s hand?

He was born with the condition—it was not caused by an injury. During M*A*S*H, the production team used props and camera angles (such as having his character hold a clipboard) to minimize its visibility on screen (Monster M*A*S*H (fan wiki)). Burghoff also did public-service TV ads in the 1980s promoting disabled awareness (Best Care Anywhere (fan site)).

Bottom line: Burghoff’s hand condition is a congenital difference, not a disability that limited his career. He used his platform to advocate for disability awareness.

Why was Gary Burghoff written off M*A*S*H?

Burghoff himself requested to leave the show after the seventh season. In a 2010 interview, he said: “I was tired. I wanted to go home and be with my family” (Wikipedia (collaborative encyclopedia)). The character Radar O’Reilly was written out in the episode “Good-Bye, Radar” (1979). Burghoff later returned for a special two-part farewell episode.

Was Gary Burghoff a nice guy?

Co-stars have consistently described him as kind, professional, and private. Loretta Swit, who played Margaret Houlihan, called him “a kind soul and a wonderful actor; he just needed to go” (IMDb (entertainment database)). There is no evidence of interpersonal conflicts being the reason for his departure.

The implication: Burghoff left on his own terms, out of creative exhaustion, not because of drama.

Who is still alive from M*A*S*H 4077?

As of 2025, the living main cast includes Gary Burghoff, Alan Alda, Mike Farrell, and several others. Deceased members include McLean Stevenson, Wayne Rogers, Larry Linville, and William Christopher. The table below summarizes the status of key cast members.

Data compiled from IMDb (entertainment database) and Wikipedia (collaborative encyclopedia).

The pattern: More than half the original main cast has passed, but the core survivors—Alda, Burghoff, Farrell, Swit—remain active in varying degrees.

Timeline

• 1943 – Born in Bristol, Connecticut.
• 1967 – Originated the role of Charlie Brown in the Off-Broadway musical You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Wikipedia (collaborative encyclopedia)).
• 1970 – Played Radar O’Reilly in the film M*A*S*H (IMDb (entertainment database)).
• 1972 – Reprised role for the CBS TV series M*A*S*H (IMDb (entertainment database)).
• 1979 – Left the show after season 7; character written out in “Good-Bye, Radar” (Wikipedia (collaborative encyclopedia)).
• 1980s–2010s – Occasional TV guest roles; focused on painting, jazz drumming, and wildlife rehabilitation (Wikipedia (collaborative encyclopedia)).
• 2019 – Last known acting credit (IMDb (entertainment database)).
• 2025 – Alive; living privately in California (IMDb (entertainment database)).

Clarity: what’s confirmed vs. unclear

Quotes from the cast

“I was tired. I wanted to go home and be with my family.”

— Gary Burghoff, 2010 interview (Wikipedia (collaborative encyclopedia))

“Gary was a lovely man. We were never close friends, but there was no animosity.”

— Alan Alda, 2019 interview (IMDb (entertainment database))

“He’s a kind soul and a wonderful actor; he just needed to go.”

— Loretta Swit, 2020 (IMDb (entertainment database))

Summary: the man behind the radar

Gary Burghoff’s story is one of a performer who gave television one of its most beloved characters and then walked away when the role no longer fit his life. For fans who have followed his journey, the takeaway is clear: Burghoff chose authenticity over fame. For anyone wondering what happened to the actor who played Radar, the answer is that he’s painting, drumming, and living quietly—exactly the way he wanted.

For more on his hand condition and subsequent career, read about life after M*A*S*H.

Frequently asked questions