William Christopher, a prominent actor from the 1970s and 1980s sitcom “M*A*S*H” remembered for his portrayal as Father Francis Mulcahy, passed away on Saturday at his Pasadena, California, residence. In years, he had lived to 84.
Robert Malcolm, his agent, stated that cancer was the cause. Additionally, he mentioned that Mr. Christopher had been diagnosed fifteen months ago and had shown good response to treatment up until lately.
Mr. Christopher shot to fame after appearing in New York City theaters on Broadway and Off Broadway. He then relocated to Los Angeles to pursue acting roles on television. Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., “Hogan’s Heroes,” “The Love Boat,” “The Andy Griffith Show,” “The Patty Duke Show,” and many more notable shows included his appearances.
On “M*A*S*H,” Mr. Christopher played the role of Father Mulcahy, a quiet Roman Catholic chaplain stationed at a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital in Korea. From 1972 until 1983, CBS aired the series.
“After M*A*S*H” ran from 1983 to 1985 and followed the protagonists as they returned to civilian life following the conclusion of the war. In it, he played Father Mulcahy again.
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“He became TV’s quintessential padre,” Loretta Swit — who co-starred on “M*A*S*H” as the nurse Margaret Houlihan, better known as Hot Lips — said in a statement. “It was the most perfect casting ever known. He was probably responsible for more people coming back to the church.”
Mr. Christopher’s “kind strength, his grace and gentle humor weren’t acted,” tweeted Alan Alda, who played Hawkeye, Captain Benjamin Pierce on the program. He went on to say, “They were Bill.”
Mr. Christopher and Jamie Farr, who was also a cast member on “M*A*S*H,” were in a touring production of “The Odd Couple” in the 1990s. Offscreen, Mr. Christopher spent a great deal of time supporting families dealing with developmental disabilities and caring for his autistic son, Ned.
He and Barbara published “Mixed Blessings” in 1985, detailing their experiences as autistic parents. “There is no magic cure for autism,” the couple told People magazine in 1989.
“Parents should know that it’s a lifelong fight to get what your child needs. They should make sure to save time for themselves, and they should allow themselves to cry.”
The Chicago Sun-Times reports that William Christopher was born in Evanston, Illinois, on October 20, 1932, and spent his childhood in the northern suburbs of the city.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in theater from Middletown, Connecticut’s Wesleyan University. According to Mr. Malcolm, his wife and two boys, Ned and John, are among the survivors.
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