According to his Wiki page and people who knew him said that he was a kind, friendly person, and he was friends with the cast, and was best friends with Gary Burghoff.

Linville stated that he came up with the character by knowing all the SOB's and jerks in his real life and putting it in the character.

I have also heard that when he became annoyed or anxious (as we all do under work and normal stress) that he would somewhat act like Frank Burns. High, squeaky voice and he would get anxious. Probably not as bad as frank, but Frank's funnier personas was part of the real man.

Did you or anyone in your family who thought Linville was cute or hot?

Would Frank have been better played if he was a good doctor who could compete with the other two on the operating table but was Frank outside of it? I think a more intelligent Frank in the OR could have made better scenes with Alda. Charles kind of fit that scenerio in the 6th season, but he softened up and became a team player (sort of) in the end.

It seems that Linville had an interest in aviation and building aircraft. My father was an airline pilot who did the same things. If Linville was a total failure as an actor, he would have been an engineer. He liked to build things.

He has one daughter, who was a photo technician in Los Angeles somewhere. I wonder what happened to her?

Is there a film or TV show where he did not play an antagonist character? I have read that he played a cop on a TV show in the 1960's and there were other roles as Linville not as Frank. It seems unfortunately for him that later roles after MASH were him playing Frank like characters. Then he died at the relatively young age of 60 of cancer. The poor man had surgery before and still died.

Larry Linville stories, please share.

I've seen his episodes of Bonanza, Cannon, and if I remember correctly Mission Impossible. In each case he played a straightforward, capapble character -- certainly nothing at all like Burns. Usually he was one of the good guys and while not an exceptionally strong presence, certainly he could hold his own it seemed.

By all accounts he was a very likeable guy -- and a very good actor. Really sad that he's no longer with us.

I read somewhere that Larry left M*A*S*H because all the characters were growing and changing except Frank who was incapable of changing. So the show basically outgrew his character.

I read somewhere that Larry left M*A*S*H because all the characters were growing and changing except Frank who was incapable of changing. So the show basically outgrew his character.
I was actually some what glad that he left at the point he did. Hawkeye had matured a little, Margaret wasn't hotlips any more since she was engaged. It seemed like the original cast, the one that he had fit in with wasn't really there anymore and it made him out to be more of a two dimensional character rather than an actual person.

It's disappointing really, it's like the writers just figured that he was the character that they didn't need to pay that much attention to. You would think without Margaret there to boost his ego every few minutes that he would have a lot of room to grow and change, even if they were slight changes.

I heard he had a clandestine "thing" with Paul Lynde. Totally "in the closet" of course.

I remember a May 1980 Fantasy Island episode where Larry Linville played one of the protagonists, a man who wanted to "make things happen". Mr. Roarke gave him telekinetic powers, and somehow as a result got mixed up with a bad woman (played by Carol Lynley in one of her many FI appearances) who ended up with a couple bad guys and kidnapped his wife (played by Julie Sommars). I read a 1978 TV Guide Teletype item recently where he stated that he was getting lots of offers to play Frank Burns on The Love Boat and several other shows, and he turned them down because he said if he wanted to keep playing Frank, he would have stayed on M*A*S*H.

He and Gary Burghoff gave the best performances on the show and seemingly worked the hardest. He also deserves credit because he stayed true to the character and didn't insist he become more likable. Alan Alda started out good on the show, but Larry Linville stayed good.

I've always thought that it would've been interesting to have an episode centered around Frank in his final season where he actually had an epiphany. Similar to the episode where Hawkeye is injured and spends the episode with a Korean family. Frank finds himself in a situation where inspite of his usual behavior he is shown kindess by a Korean who only wants to help him and wants nothing in return; and at the end of the episode he doesn't do a 180 in his personality, but his experience obviously gives him something to think about in relation to how he views people and things.

They could've done many things with Frank's character.
Look how the writers changed Hot Lips.

Lineville did an admirable job & helped keep the show humorous.

I've always thought that it would've been interesting to have an episode centered around Frank in his final season where he actually had an epiphany. Similar to the episode where Hawkeye is injured and spends the episode with a Korean family. Frank finds himself in a situation where inspite of his usual behavior he is shown kindess by a Korean who only wants to help him and wants nothing in return; and at the end of the episode he doesn't do a 180 in his personality, but his experience obviously gives him something to think about in relation to how he views people and things.
I've had similar thoughts.
Perhaps he could've gone out of the show in a heroic way, like giving his life to save others.

Frank Burns was portrayed as simple-minded, inferior, petty and ultra-patriotic. In the world of Hollywood, patriotic is bad, ultra-patriotic is worse. His character became boring. People above that wanted him to change and become 'good' - meaning liberal minded like Alda etc. - have swallowed the Kool-Aid. At least Winchester was portrayed as an equal as a surgeon.

I thought Mr. Linville did a nice job as Frank Burns. The show really lost something when he left.

At the MASH reunion show (after Larry died), the the writers admitted that the only character they never let grow was Frank. They said they considered it, but it was too tempting to let him get the laughs.

The only scene we got to see into Frank was his last scene, where Margaret goes off in a helicopter with her new husband. Everybody is there to see her off, but then only Frank is left saying softly, Goodbye, Margaret.

I am the OP and in the famous scene where Radar tells the operating crew that Henry's plane was shot down and him killed, Burns was stunned and showed real emotion with everyone else.

The most intelligent thing Frank said was about the dark, and saying that there is nothing in the dark which cannot be seen in the light.

Frank was a total SOB

I remember seeing Larry on an episode of The Rockford Files. Seems like Jim Rockford is hired by a client to find the client's missing wife, but becomes the subject of a behavior experiment being conducted by a doctor. Larry plays the doctor. He's not a "good" guy but he's not horrible, either. Just a doctor doing his research (though by questionable methods).

I've read most all of the MASH books--the bios by Alan, Gary, Jamie and a few others about the show in general. One of them told of how, when casting the TV version of the Frank Burns character, somebody said "He's kind of a 'Larry Linville' sort of character" and someone else said "Well, why don't we try to get Larry Linville?" Larry was available, and the rest is history.

They all said the same thing, that in real life Larry was a wonderful guy. One of them said that they thought he was the best actor on the show because his character was more unlike his real personality than any of the others. One of them tells a story of a fan approaching Larry's wife and asking her "In real life is he like Frank?" and she replied "OH MY GOD, NO!!!!"

Frank and Radar were the two best characters on the show. Frank made everything go. When Frank and later Radar left, the show became unwatchable for various reasons.

According to his Wiki page and people who knew him said that he was a kind, friendly person, and he was friends with the cast, and was best friends with Gary Burghoff.

Linville stated that he came up with the character by knowing all the SOB's and jerks in his real life and putting it in the character.

I have also heard that when he became annoyed or anxious (as we all do under work and normal stress) that he would somewhat act like Frank Burns. High, squeaky voice and he would get anxious. Probably not as bad as frank, but Frank's funnier personas was part of the real man.

Did you or anyone in your family who thought Linville was cute or hot?

Would Frank have been better played if he was a good doctor who could compete with the other two on the operating table but was Frank outside of it? I think a more intelligent Frank in the OR could have made better scenes with Alda. Charles kind of fit that scenerio in the 6th season, but he softened up and became a team player (sort of) in the end.

It seems that Linville had an interest in aviation and building aircraft. My father was an airline pilot who did the same things. If Linville was a total failure as an actor, he would have been an engineer. He liked to build things.

He has one daughter, who was a photo technician in Los Angeles somewhere. I wonder what happened to her?

Is there a film or TV show where he did not play an antagonist character? I have read that he played a cop on a TV show in the 1960's and there were other roles as Linville not as Frank. It seems unfortunately for him that later roles after MASH were him playing Frank like characters. Then he died at the relatively young age of 60 of cancer. The poor man had surgery before and still died.

Larry Linville stories, please share.

Frank's "Ferret Face" nickname was taken from real life. Larry's brother called him that when they were young.

There's an episode of Lou Grant titled "Sting" where he plays a very interesting character where you're not sure if he's a good guy or a bad guy and he plays it very well. I believe it's currently on youtube.

Frank's character actually did change. In the early going, he's referred to as a competent or good surgeon multiple times. That makes sense, because the 4077th couldn't have the best record of any unit in Korea if one of its surgeons was completely incompetent. The character was dragged down over time, but what's remarkable is that it continued after the character left. They even went out of their way to kick him in the last regular episode of the series.
I never understood what they did that, constantly attacking Frank.

I think Alda didn't like Linville or his character.
Ironically, if there hadn't been a Frank Burns character, there wouldn't have been MASH.
The "heavy" character was essential for that show's success.

Notice how lightweight the series became the last 2-3 seasons.

One bit of trivia that needs to be shared re the late Mr. Linville, the first of his five wives (and mother of his only child) was Kate Geer- yes, Will 'Grandpa Walton' Geer's daughter though they divorced shortly before Mr. Geer's death. Anyone care to imagine Thankgiving or Christmas with those two?

They should of had more episodes where Frank was in charge. Hot Lips would always act like she was the first lady of the Army.

After McLean and Wayne left after season 3, I was left with Margaret, Frank and Radar as my favorite characters. When Larry left after season 5 MASH suddenly started to become to preachy for my tastes. Hawkeye went from chasing women to trying to find out how to wear a skirt and sill look like a man. BJ and Winchester, while they had some very good story lines were completely overwhelmed by Alan Alda and his vision of quilt, whatever the quilt was that weeks episode. Give me the first 5 season of MASH and I am quite happy. After than, MEH! Larry Linville made MASH. RIP Larry.

After McLean and Wayne left after season 3, I was left with Margaret, Frank and Radar as my favorite characters. When Larry left after season 5 MASH suddenly started to become to preachy for my tastes. Hawkeye went from chasing women to trying to find out how to wear a skirt and sill look like a man. BJ and Winchester, while they had some very good story lines were completely overwhelmed by Alan Alda and his vision of quilt, whatever the quilt was that weeks episode. Give me the first 5 season of MASH and I am quite happy. After than, MEH! Larry Linville made MASH. RIP Larry.

I couldn't of said it better myself, oldschool59.

After McLean and Wayne left after season 3, I was left with Margaret, Frank and Radar as my favorite characters. When Larry left after season 5 MASH suddenly started to become to preachy for my tastes. Hawkeye went from chasing women to trying to find out how to wear a skirt and sill look like a man. BJ and Winchester, while they had some very good story lines were completely overwhelmed by Alan Alda and his vision of quilt, whatever the quilt was that weeks episode. Give me the first 5 season of MASH and I am quite happy. After than, MEH! Larry Linville made MASH. RIP Larry.

Agree. I don't like the episodes after McLean left. It became the Alan Alda show and he made sure he was front and center of most episodes.

Linville was great as Frank but had a rough private life. Was married a bunch of times and was an alcoholic. People say he was very nice and professional on-set. Gary Burghoff was admittedly a nightmare to work with. The cast said they loved Radar, hated Gary.

I remember seeing Larry on an episode of The Rockford Files. Seems like Jim Rockford is hired by a client to find the client's missing wife, but becomes the subject of a behavior experiment being conducted by a doctor. Larry plays the doctor. He's not a "good" guy but he's not horrible, either. Just a doctor doing his research (though by questionable methods).

I've read most all of the MASH books--the bios by Alan, Gary, Jamie and a few others about the show in general. One of them told of how, when casting the TV version of the Frank Burns character, somebody said "He's kind of a 'Larry Linville' sort of character" and someone else said "Well, why don't we try to get Larry Linville?" Larry was available, and the rest is history.

They all said the same thing, that in real life Larry was a wonderful guy. One of them said that they thought he was the best actor on the show because his character was more unlike his real personality than any of the others. One of them tells a story of a fan approaching Larry's wife and asking her "In real life is he like Frank?" and she replied "OH MY GOD, NO!!!!"

This was actually one of my least favorite episodes of The Rockford Files, although it had nothing to do with Larry. Larry and James were great, it was just a poorly written episode in my opinion.

Franks character & acting was Top Notch ! Years ago I remember Alda commenting in an interview that when Franks scenes were filmed - the entire cast were all watching because HE was truly the comic star on the show ! - & the Lipless wonder !

Also was surprise to see him in reruns of Mannix & Adam 12 !

Frank Burns was portrayed as simple-minded, inferior, petty and ultra-patriotic. In the world of Hollywood, patriotic is bad, ultra-patriotic is worse. His character became boring. People above that wanted him to change and become 'good' - meaning liberal minded like Alda etc. - have swallowed the Kool-Aid. At least Winchester was portrayed as an equal as a surgeon.

You know, it IS possible to be a liberal and patriotic at the same time. Patriotism isn't unquestioning loyalty to a group, "mu country right or wrong". It's having the courage to believe in the principles on which your group or nation was founded and be perfectly willing to sacrifice your self, you career, even your personal relationships in order to stand up and tell your nation it's acting like a bunch of damned fools.

You know, it IS possible to be a liberal and patriotic at the same time. Patriotism isn't unquestioning loyalty to a group, "mu country right or wrong". It's having the courage to believe in the principles on which your group or nation was founded and be perfectly willing to sacrifice your self, you career, even your personal relationships in order to stand up and tell your nation it's acting like a bunch of damned fools.
If this was 30 years ago I would believe you. Show me one liberal who these days isn't a progressive. Look at what liberals are electing to congress these days. Its very sad, just like MASH became after Larry left. Sad, very sad.....;)

If this was 30 years ago I would believe you. Show me one liberal who these days isn't a progressive. Look at what liberals are electing to congress these days. Its very sad, just like MASH became after Larry left. Sad, very sad.....;)

Most Democrats in Congress are quite conservative, and they spend far more time undermining actual liberals like Sanders, Gabbard, and Ocasio-Cortez than you think. They're too busy helping the GOPhers implement their far right nuts-o agenda.

And for the record, I've been an Independent for the past nine years officially and an indy-minded party member in one organization or another since I was old enough to vote. All the tribalistic B.S. is just that, and it's like Jesse Ventura said, the politicians are like professional wrestlers in that they pretend to oppose each other when the cameras are rolling but at the end of the day most of them are taking their money and their orders from the same corporate buyers.

Now, as to M*A*S*H*, remember that from the very beginning it was a critique of the Vietnam war, going back to the film version that led to the TV series. The Korean war, which by the way didn't have a lot of support from my parents' generation either (they were born late 30s), was the perfect parallel and backdrop for that, so I really don't see how the show getting more in line with its cinematic incarnation over time is either a surprise or something to be frowned upon if you liked the show from its early days.

Other than Joe Manchin of WV which one can you point to as being "conservative?"

Larry Linville I believe was also in one of those 80s knockoffs of Porkys or similar movies. Playing a Frank Burns type guy (principal).

Linville was great at playing at Frank but around his last years Loretta Swit said he dreaded the scenes he had to do. He left cause the character was too cartoonish. Almost unbearable to watch at times. Loretta Swit also had nice things to say about Larry, along with Burghoff.

Most Democrats in Congress are quite conservative, and they spend far more time undermining actual liberals like Sanders, Gabbard, and Ocasio-Cortez than you think. They're too busy helping the GOPhers implement their far right nuts-o agenda.



Beyond ridiculous. :crazy:

I know that MASH is a show about war and obviously politics will inevitably become part of many discussions here - that's fine with me. That being said, let's try to get this thread back on track, which is discussing your thoughts on Larry Linville --- Thank you - HF

Larry Linville I believe was also in one of those 80s knockoffs of Porkys or similar movies. Playing a Frank Burns type guy (principal).

Linville was great at playing at Frank but around his last years Loretta Swit said he dreaded the scenes he had to do. He left cause the character was too cartoonish. Almost unbearable to watch at times. Loretta Swit also had nice things to say about Larry, along with Burghoff.

School Spirit, a cheesy T & A movie from 1985.

School Spirit, a cheesy T & A movie from 1985.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089974/

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089974/

Sounds like something you would see on Skin-e-max on a Friday night in the late 1980's, not that I ever watched those movies of course (cough, cough). :cool:

Sounds like something you would see on Skin-e-max on a Friday night in the late 1980's, not that I ever watched those movies of course (cough, cough). :cool:

Lol. I most likely saw it on there too. Those knock off movies were pretty bad but you didn’t always watch for a story lol. I’m a fan of Porkys, Revenge of the Nerds, Fast Times, Spring Break, Hardbodies.

Ed Winter (Flagg) was in Porky’s 2.

Lol. I most likely saw it on there too. Those knock off movies were pretty bad but you didn’t always watch for a story lol. I’m a fan of Porkys, Revenge of the Nerds, Fast Times, Spring Break, Hardbodies.

Ed Winter (Flagg) was in Porky’s 2.


Flagg was a GREAT character on MASH !

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0935719/

I hated Frank Burns as a character. Never thought anything more of it until now.

There are MASH books written by the cast? How did I not know this?

I wonder why, if Larry was the nice guy people claimed, he was married five times. And why did his career falter after leaving “MASH”?

Well, the exes all must have thought so -at least when they first married him. I've never heard any of them dis him even after his death.

I imagine it was a case of the casting folks not being able to imagine him as anything besides Frank (even his costarring roles in 'Grandpa Goes to Washington' and 'Checking In' were very Frank-like ).

Some people just aren’t cut out for married life.

What would have happened if Larry had stayed? Would the show have been able to go into that serious mode that they did or would they have been able to change Frank?

What would have happened if Larry had stayed? Would the show have been able to go into that serious mode that they did or would they have been able to change Frank?
I think the show would have survived, and thrived.
Look at how Margaret and even Charles changed. Charles, at first, was a sefish, greedy you-know-what. He became much more lovable as the series plodded on.

Watching the early seasons shows a far different Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan than the modern 70s bleach-blonde in the latter seasons.

I saw Larry on the Love Boat . His career after he left Mash went to hell. Outside of Frank his career was doomed.

Larry Linville loved speaking with college students about acting, M*A*S*H and Maj. Frank Burns (https://www.metv.com/stories/larry-linville-loved-speaking-with-college-students-about-acting-m-a-s-h-and-maj-frank-burns)

Linville told students his dream was to rise through the sky. Instead, he rose through the ratings with M*A*S*H's success.

Many believe Linville was the greatest actor on MASH.
Why? Because he played someone he wasn't.
Linville wasn't anything like the annoying, obnoxious, devious and "sniveling" character he played.

Linville was like Ken Osmond, who played Eddie Haskell on Leave It To Beaver. Jerry Mathers (Beaver) has often said Ken Osmond was the greatest actor on that show, because of his ability to play someone he wasn't.

I concur.