Gary Burghoff, known for his versatile talents, excels as an actor, wildlife painter, drummer, and songwriter.
His remarkable portrayal of Radar O’Reilly on the CBS TV series/movie MASH earned him an Emmy Award.
In addition to his acclaimed role, Gary has graced screens in various other productions, including The Love Boat, Match Game, Daniel’s Lot, and numerous movies and TV series.
Burgoff overcame his deformed fingers and pursued his passions with unwavering determination.
Alongside his impressive acting career, he gained worldwide recognition as both a wildlife painter and a drummer for prestigious bands.
His paintings command high prices in the market, reflecting their exceptional value.
Early Life
Gary Rich Burghoff, born on May 24th, 1943 in Bristol, Connecticut, relocated to Clinton, Connecticut and later settled in Delavan, Wisconsin during his early years.
As a young boy with artistic talent, Gary dedicated his time to studying tap dance and drumming.
He also nurtured his acting abilities by spending time with the Belfry Players in Williams Bay, Wisconsin.
To further refine his skills, Gary pursued professional acting training at HB Studio in New York City.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Gary Rich Burghoff |
|---|---|
| Gender | Male |
| Date of Birth | May 24, 1943 |
| Zodiac Sign | Gemini |
| Place of Birth | Bristol, USA |
| Career | Actor, jazz musician, inventor, wildlife artist, and songwriter |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Father | Rony Burghoff |
| Mother | Anna Burghoff |
| Brother | David Burghoff |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Relationship Status | Single |
| Sexuality | Straight |
| Former Spouses | Janet Gayle (1971-1979), Elizabeth Bostrom (1985-2005) |
| Daughter | Gena Gale Burghoff |
| Sons | Rodney and Ann Burghoff |
| Height | 5 feet 5.5 inches (1.66 m) |
| Hair Colour | Burnt Auburn |
| Eye Colour | Grey |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Net Worth | $6 million |
Career
Gary’s career began in 1967 when he took the stage as Charlie Brown in the Off-Broadway production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.”
Following his time as a drummer in a semi-successful music career, Burghoff landed a role in the 1970 film “MASH.”
He stood out as the only actor to reprise his original character in the spin-off series, which went on to become one of the most iconic television productions ever.
Gary’s portrayal of Radar earned him six Emmy Award nominations, with him ultimately winning an Emmy in 1977.
In 1979, Gary bid farewell to “MASH” and ventured into various game shows like “Match Game,” “Liar’s Club,” and “Showoffs.”
He also showcased his acting skills in films such as “B.S. I Love You” and later “Daniel’s Lot.” Alongside these projects, he made appearances in popular shows like “The Love Boat” and “Ellery Queen.”
Gary Burghoff Net Worth
Gary Burghoff has a net worth of $6 million. He gained fame for portraying Charlie Brown in the original Broadway musical “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.”
Additionally, he is well-known for his role as Radar in the film “MASH” and its subsequent television series.
Alongside these notable performances, Gary frequently appeared on the game show “Match Game,” participating in a remarkable 140 episodes between 1974 and 1975.
M*A*S*H Salary
In 1979, Gary Burghoff, feeling completely burned out, eventually left MAS*H. He expressed his inability to function and the loss of his vitality.
Warner Bros., determined to retain him on the show, tempted him with a $4 million contract. It’s worth noting that $4 million in 1979 held substantial value, roughly equivalent to $15 million today.
However, he declined the offer, even though accepting it wouldn’t have made him the highest-earning star on the show.
That distinction belonged to Alan Alda, who earned $5.6 million per season for his portrayal of Hawkeye and his writing contributions to the show.
Additionally, Carroll O’Connor surpassed Burghoff’s potential earnings, as he received $4.8 million per season for his role in “Archie Bunker’s Place.”
Gary Burghoff Brand Endorsements
Over the years, Burghoff has enhanced his career through various brand endorsements. He has appeared in advertisements for BP gasoline, IBM computers, and PriceRadar.com.
Other Ventures
Gary, apart from acting, possesses a strong passion for music and the arts.
In the past, he pursued a career as a professional jazz drummer, impressively displaying his skills in multiple episodes of “MASH.”
Additionally, Gary regularly engages in wildlife painting, showcasing his artistic abilities.
Notably, Gary is an inventive individual. Among his notable creations is a remarkable fishing tackle device known as “Chum Magic.”
This innovative tool effectively lures fish towards boats, and Gary proudly holds two patents for this exceptional product.
Furthermore, he has also invented a specialized toilet seat handle and a groundbreaking fishing pole design.
In addition to his various talents, Gary is an avid philatelist, deeply engrossed in the study of stamps.
Personal Life
Gary married Janey Gayle in 1971, and they had a child together in 1975. However, they finalized their divorce by 1979.
After that, Gary married Elisabeth Bostrom, and they had two more children. Unfortunately, they divorced in 2005.
Health Issues
Gary, a drummer, was born with brachydactyly, a condition caused by Poland syndrome. As a result, three of his fingers are noticeably smaller than the rest.
Despite this challenge, Gary’s accomplishments as a drummer are truly remarkable.
Gary Burghoff Movies and Tv Shows
Movies
| YEAR | TITLE | ROLE |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | MASH | Cpl. “Radar” O’Reilly |
| 1971 | B.S. I Love You | Ted |
| 1975 | Twigs | Clergyman |
| 1979 | The Man in the Santa Claus Suit | Bob Wills |
| 1980 | Casino | Bill Taylor |
| 1991 | Doubles | Arnie |
| 1992 | Small Kill | Fleck / Lady Esmerelda |
| 1995 | Behind the Waterfall | Mr. Connors |
| 2010 | Daniel’s Lot | Pastor Mahoney |
Television Shows
| YEAR | TITLE | ROLE |
|---|---|---|
| 1967 | NET Playhouse | Boy |
| 1969 | The Good Guys | Mike Butterworth |
| 1970 | The Name of the Game | Watson |
| 1972–79 | MASH | Cpl. Walter “Radar” O’Reilly |
| 1973 | Love, American Style | Sydney Melvin Wimple / Wilbur Wright |
| 1974–75 | Insight | Milo / Mombo |
| 1974–75 | Match Game | Gary Burghoff |
| 1976 | Ellery Queen | Gerald Hacker |
| 1977 | The Love Boat | Donald M. Flanders |
| 1978 | America 2-Night | Himself |
| 1978 | Fantasy Island | Richard C. Delaney |
| 1978 | The New Adventures of Wonder Woman | Alan |
| 1979 | $weepstake$ | Roscoe Fuller |
| 1980 | Fantasy Island | Gordon Hughes |
| 1981 | The Love Boat | Eddie Martin |
| 1981 | Tales of the Unexpected | Harry Flock |
| 1984 | AfterMASH | Walter “Radar” O’Reilly |
| 1984 | WALTER | Walter “Radar” O’Reilly |
| 1995 | Burke’s Law | Patrick Noyes |
Where Is Gary Burghoff ?
In March 2022, fake news about Gary Burghoff’s death spread widely, coinciding with the passing of Donald Shaffer.
Donald had served as a company clerk at Dr. Richard Hornberger’s army evacuation hospital.
It is worth noting that Richard had penned the highly successful book MAS*H under a pseudonym, with Donald serving as inspiration for the iconic Radar O’Reilly character.
Eventually, the book was adapted into both a film and a television series.
