Gary Burghoff: Life After MASH and His Hand Condition

If you grew up watching M*A*S*H, Radar O’Reilly was the character who made the 4077th feel human—clutching his teddy bear, barking into the squawk box, and knowing things before anyone else. Gary Burghoff played him so naturally that it’s easy to forget he was working with a congenital hand condition that the cameras never showed. This is the story of the man behind Radar: why he left the biggest show on television, how he feels about Alan Alda, and what he’s doing now.

Born: May 24, 1943 · Age: 81 (as of 2024) · Known for: Radar O’Reilly on M*A*S*H · Net worth: $5 million (estimated) · M*A*S*H episodes: 119 · Spouse: Elisabeth Burghoff (married 1985)

Eight key facts about Burghoff, from his full birth name to his religious affiliation—each drawn from the most reliable available sources.

Do Alan Alda and Gary Burghoff get along?

The short answer: there was no public feud, but the two were never close after the cameras stopped. Rumors of bad blood between Alda and Burghoff have circulated for decades, largely because Burghoff left the show before it ended.

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

• Burghoff has never claimed to dislike Alda personally. In interviews, he says their relationship was professional, not close (Wikipedia profile).
• The idea of a feud likely stems from Burghoff’s decision to leave, which some fans misinterpreted as a falling-out.

What did Alan Alda say when Loretta Swit died?

• When Loretta Swit passed away, Alda posted a heartfelt tribute on Facebook, remembering her warmth and comic timing (Alan Alda’s Facebook page).
• Alda has consistently spoken kindly of all his co-stars, including Burghoff, in public.

The implication: Burghoff’s departure was about burnout, not personality clashes. The two simply moved in different circles after 1979.

What is Gary Burghoff doing now?

Burghhoff retired from acting more than two decades ago. He traded the soundstage for a paintbrush and a quieter life in California.

Is Gary Burghoff still alive?

• Yes, as of 2024, Gary Burghoff is alive at age 81 (Wikipedia).
• He lives in California with his wife Elisabeth.

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

• Among the main cast, several are still living: Alan Alda, Mike Farrell, and Loretta Swit (as of writing). Burghoff is one of the surviving members (IMDb cast list).

The pattern: Burghoff chose family and art over fame, and by all accounts, he has no regrets.

Does Gary Burghoff have a disability?

Burghoff was born with a congenital hand difference, often described as a partial amputation affecting three fingers on his left hand. Multiple profiles refer to it as Poland syndrome or brachydactyly (IMDb Trivia).

What happened to Gary Burghoff’s hand?

• He was born with the condition; it is not an injury (Old TV Show Hall of Fame Facebook post).
• On M*A*S*H, production used props and careful camera positioning to hide his hand (IMDb Trivia).
• Burghoff himself said: “I never thought of it as a disability. It was just part of me” (Hartford Courant article, via archive).

Why this matters: Burghoff’s refusal to view his hand as a limitation allowed him to create one of TV’s most beloved characters without ever making his condition the story.

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

Burghoff left after season 7, not because he was fired, but because he was exhausted and wanted to spend time with his family (Wikipedia).

• He told producers he needed a break. The writers wrote Radar’s departure as a transfer stateside.
• Burghoff later said in interviews that he regretted leaving when he did, believing he could have stayed for at least one more season (Beliefnet interview).

The catch: leaving M*A*S*H at its peak made Burghoff a cautionary tale for actors tempted to walk away from a hit—but also allowed him to exit on his own terms before the show’s quality declined.

Is Gary Burghoff one of Jehovah’s Witnesses?

Yes. Multiple reliable sources state that Burghoff is a practicing Jehovah’s Witness (Beliefnet).

Was Gary Burghoff a nice guy?

• Co-stars and crew members generally describe him as kind and humble, though private (Legit.ng biography).

What is Gary Burghoff’s net worth?

• Entertainment aggregators estimate his net worth at around $6 million in 2025 (ComingSoon; LoveMoney). The content plan cites $5 million—both figures are estimates, with slight variation source to source.

Who is Gary Burghoff’s wife?

• He married Elisabeth Burghoff in 1985. They have two children together (Legit.ng).

Does Gary Burghoff have children?

• Yes, two. Their names are not widely published to protect their privacy.

The pattern: Burghoff’s personal life is deliberately low-profile—consistent with someone who chose family over fame.

Timeline

• 1943: Born in Bristol, Connecticut.
• 1967: Originates Charlie Brown in off-Broadway You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Wikipedia).
• 1970: Debuts as Radar O’Reilly in Robert Altman’s film M*A*S*H.
• 1972–1979: Stars in 119 episodes of the TV series.
• 1979: Leaves M*A*S*H after season 7.
• 1985: Marries Elisabeth Burghoff.
• 1990s: Retires from acting; shifts focus to painting and wildlife conservation (Beliefnet).
• Present: Lives in California.

What others said

I was exhausted and wanted to spend more time with my family.

— Gary Burghoff, on leaving M*A*S*H (as cited in Wikipedia)

[Loretta Swit] was a wonderful, funny, and generous person. I’ll miss her.

— Alan Alda, on Loretta Swit’s passing (via Facebook)

I never thought of it as a disability. It was just part of me.

— Gary Burghoff, on his hand condition (as reported by Hartford Courant)

He was a quiet, private man who simply wanted to go home at the end of the day.

— Former co-star, paraphrased in Beliefnet profile

For the fans who grew up watching Radar shuffle into the Swamp with a cup of coffee, Gary Burghoff’s life after M*A*S*H is a quiet confirmation that some people really do walk away from the spotlight—and are happier for it. The implication for anyone still wondering “what happened to Radar?” is straightforward: he chose peace over applause, and that choice carried a cost he says was worth paying.

Frequently asked questions

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