RIP William Christopher

[sprite75]

Fr. Mulchaey has left us

William Christopher, who played the unassuming U.S. Army chaplain, Father Mulcahy, struggling to bring spiritual comfort to an anarchic surgical unit during the Korean War on the long-running hit TV series "M*A*S*H," died on Saturday. He was 84.

Christopher, who was diagnosed with cancer about 18 months ago, died in his bed at his home in Pasadena, California, according to his longtime New York-based agent, Robert Malcolm. The actor's wife of nearly 60 years, Barbara Christopher, was with him at the time, Malcolm said.

Christopher landed his signature role of Father Francis Mulcahy on "M*A*S*H" after another actor played the part on the show's pilot episode. He went on to portray the soft-spoken priest assigned to the fictional 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital for the duration of the series, which ran from 1972 to 1983 on the CBS network and continued to air in syndication for decades after.

Together with Alan Alda as Captain "Hawkeye" Pierce, Loretta Swit as Major Margaret "Hotlips" Houlihan and Jamie Farr as cross-dressing Corporal Maxwell Klinger, Christopher was among the only cast members to remain on the show for all 11 seasons.

[Newt]

Oh no.  This one makes me cry.

I remember that sweet character so fondly; I know I am projecting Father Mulcahy's attributes onto the actor, but I cannot help it.

Rest in Peace.  You gave such a gift to so many.

[indianasmith]

 I don't know that I ever saw him in any other role, but he did play that one perfectly.

[messedup]

Never saw him in any other role besides MASH. Still he was perfect in that role and will always be remembered for it.