Description:
Edgar McLean Stevenson, Jr. (November 14, 1927 – February 15, 1996), better known as McLean Stevenson, was an American actor most recognized for his role as Lt. Colonel Henry Blake on the TV series M*A*S*H. He was also recognized for his role as Michael Nicholson on The Doris Day Show.
After guest-starring on That Girl with Marlo Thomas, he was cast in The Doris Day Show in 1969, playing magazine editor boss Michael Nicholson until 1971. Originally, he auditioned for the role of Hawkeye Pierce in M*A*S*H, but was convinced to play Lt. Col. Henry Blake instead. This role shot him to stardom. He eventually wrote the episode &
Edgar McLean Stevenson, Jr. (November 14, 1927 – February 15, 1996), better known as McLean Stevenson, was an American actor most recognized for his role as Lt. Colonel Henry Blake on the TV series M*A*S*H. He was also recognized for his role as Michael Nicholson on The Doris Day Show.
After guest-starring on That Girl with Marlo Thomas, he was cast in The Doris Day Show in 1969, playing magazine editor boss Michael Nicholson until 1971. Originally, he auditioned for the role of Hawkeye Pierce in M*A*S*H, but was convinced to play Lt. Col. Henry Blake instead. This role shot him to stardom. He eventually wrote the episode "The Trial of Henry Blake", and provided the story for another, "The Army-Navy Game", which earned Stevenson an Emmy nomination. The series quickly became one of the most popular situation comedies running, and was eventually recognized as one of the top sitcoms in television history. Despite the show's success, Stevenson began chafing (as did Wayne Rogers) at playing second fiddle to the wisecracking Hawkeye (played by Alan Alda), and asked to be released from his contract during the show's third season. The show's writers reluctantly penned him an exit in the final episode of the 1974-75 season, in which Lt. Colonel Blake was discharged, only to board a plane that was shot down over the Sea of Japan, killing everyone on board (a development added after scripts were distributed so the show's actors would display genuine emotion as if they had been truly unaware of that part of the storyline). Stevenson later admitted that leaving M*A*S*H was a mistake, and he was also upset by the fact that his character's death prevented him from returning to the show.
In an interview, M*A*S*H co-star Loretta Swit shed some light on the subject of why Stevenson left the series at the height of its success.[citation needed] She said Stevenson wanted to be number one and felt pushed down as one of an ensemble of eight. Swit said that before Stevenson left the series he told her, "I know I will not be in anything as good as this show, but I have to leave and be number one." Although he had played ensemble parts for several years, he has stated that the primary reasons for his departure were systemic problems with 20th Century Fox, especially disregard for simple comforts for crew and cast on location, and opportunities that at the time seemed more appealing than staying with the show.
Stevenson was later replaced in the series by Harry Morgan, a fan favorite of the show and best friend of McLean's, who guest-starred on one episode of Stevenson's final year, and who played the role of Colonel Sherman Potter for the remainder of the 8 seasons and starred in its short-lived spin-off AfterMASH.
Stevenson was recovering from surgery (he had bladder cancer) in a Los Angeles hospital on February 15, 1996, when he suffered a fatal heart attack.
Stevenson is interred in Forest Lawn - Hollywood Hills Cemetery in Los Angeles. He was survived by his wife Ginny and daughter Lindsey - daughter Jennifer, and son Jeff MacGregor (both from previous marriages).
Coincidentally, Stevenson died only one day before Roger Bowen died; Bowen portrayed the original Colonel Henry Blake in the 1970 movie M*A*S*H.
... (more)
(less)
Tags: Military (1), Medic (1), Comedian (1), Actor (1), Veteran (1), Navy (1), US Navy (1), M*A*S*H (1), USN (1), World War II Veteran (1), Comedians In The Military (1), M*A*S*H Actors Who Served In The Military (1)
My tags:
Add tags
Login
United States
2 comments
