Gary Burghoff left his iconic role as Radar on MAS*H to embrace fatherhood, a role he calls more valuable than fame or fortune.
Leaving behind the chaotic battlefields of the military-medical comedy MASH*, Gary Burghoff.
The actor beloved for his portrayal of the sweet, slightly mischievous Radar O’Reilly, made a conscious and life-altering decision.
At the height of his fame, Burghoff stepped away from Hollywood’s bright lights to focus on repairing and nurturing his family, which had begun to strain under the pressures of his demanding career.
It was a choice that would define his life far beyond the world of television.
A New Chapter: Grandfatherhood
Recently, at the age of 82, Burghoff experienced a new chapter of joy as he became a grandfather.
His son, Miles “Sonar” Burghoff, welcomed a baby girl, Rylee Elisabeth Burghoff, in late March 2023.
Miles shared a heartwarming photograph on social media of himself holding his newborn daughter.
His caption read, “I caught the best 8-pounder of my life today! Everyone meet Rylee Elisabeth Burghoff!”
The family’s celebration highlights not only the continuation of Burghoff’s personal legacy but also the deep bonds of love and shared passions across generations.
Miles, while following his father in spirit, took a different path professionally.
He became a skilled and dedicated professional angler, nurturing the family tradition of connecting with nature.
Speaking at a fishing tournament, he remarked, “He’s the one who really started me out,” to which Gary responded with humility, “I’m just here to offer moral support.
This is a testament to parents doing what they love with their kids.”
Miles’ nickname, “Sonar,” pays homage to Burghoff’s legendary role on MASH*, underlining the enduring cultural imprint of the show and the family’s own playful spirit.
Family Life and Personal Sacrifices
Burghoff’s personal life has been marked by complexity and resilience.
He and his second wife, Elizabeth Bolstrom, were married in 1985 and divorced in 2005.
Bolstrom passed away in November 2019. From his first marriage to Janet Gayle, Burghoff has a daughter, Gena Gayle Burghoff, born in 1985.
Despite personal and marital challenges, Burghoff remained steadfast in his commitment to family. In a candid interview with People, he remarked, “I didn’t leave MASH* a wealthy man.
I could have renegotiated my contract, but money wasn’t the most important thing in my life…
You either want to be rich and famous, or you want to be a daddy. You can’t do both.” This sentiment reflects the depth of his values and the sacrifices he made to prioritize personal over professional success.
After leaving MASH*, Burghoff declined numerous offers to appear in sitcoms during the 1980s, including a role on Newhart.
Instead, he focused on regional theater, carefully selecting projects that allowed him to maintain control over his schedule while spending time with his family.
While theater did not bring the same level of fame as his iconic television role, it offered personal fulfillment and the flexibility he craved, highlighting his willingness to sacrifice celebrity for the well-being of loved ones.
A Career Defined by Radar
Burghoff’s portrayal of Corporal Walter “Radar” O’Reilly spanned the show’s original seven seasons, from 1972 to 1983.
Radar, a naïve and endearing farm boy, served as the company clerk—and occasionally the bugler—for the U.S. Army’s Mobile Army Surgical Hospital during the Korean War.
Burghoff remains the only actor to play Radar in both the 1970 film MASH* and the television series, cementing his place in entertainment history.
The 1970 film, which featured Donald Sutherland, Robert Duvall, and Sally Kellerman as Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan, received critical acclaim, while the television adaptation turned Radar into a household name.
Initially appearing in every episode for the first three seasons, Burghoff’s on-screen presence diminished as family obligations and personal pressures grew.
He reduced his appearances from 24 episodes to 13 per season.
The emotional weight of portraying Radar, combined with marital difficulties, culminated in the two-part farewell, Good-Bye Radar, which depicted the character’s discharge from the army.
MAS*H director Charles S. Dubin later revealed that Burghoff “couldn’t go on” during filming, explaining, “He broke into tears, and I had to stop everything for 15 minutes and walk him around the backlot of Fox.”
The storylines, reflecting Radar’s struggles with love and departure, mirrored Burghoff’s personal life, lending his performance a profound authenticity that resonated with audiences.
While MASH* continued for three more seasons with Alan Alda as Capt.
Benjamin Franklin “Hawkeye” Pierce, Loretta Swit as “Hot Lips” Houlihan, and Jamie Farr as Sgt.
Maxwell Q. Klinger, Radar’s absence marked a turning point in Burghoff’s life. He reprised the role briefly in the spinoff AfterMASH and the unaired pilot WALTER*, which explored Radar’s life post-war.
Even a $4 million offer could not convince him to return full-time, demonstrating that family priorities outweighed financial incentives.
Reinvention Beyond Hollywood
Financial challenges followed Burghoff’s departure from Hollywood. By 1991, he reportedly had only $500 to his name.
Undeterred, he turned to his many talents to reinvent himself. Burghoff, an accomplished off-Broadway actor, jazz musician, stamp collector, and inventor (creator of “Chum Magic,” a device used to attract fish), developed a second career as a visual artist. His oil-on-canvas paintings of North American wildlife gained recognition in galleries and sold for tens of thousands of dollars.
His artistry, marked by meticulous attention to detail, has also supported charitable causes, including GoFundMe campaigns to aid victims of California wildfires, reflecting his enduring generosity.
Fans continue to celebrate Burghoff for his professional contributions and his personal integrity.
Social media posts by his children, particularly Jordan, have sparked an outpouring of appreciation.
One fan commented, “OMG I remember him when I was just a child watching MASH*. He still has the same voice and looks.”
Another added, “Good to see you, Mr. Burghoff. I’m donating not just because of the need, but because I feel I owe you something.
As a kid I watched MASH* and loved your work. Now my wife and I are enjoying it all over again on Netflix. You made me laugh, feel, and think, and I appreciated all of that.”
Legacy of a Caring Star
Gary Burghoff’s life exemplifies a rare balance of professional success, personal integrity, and devotion to family.
Choosing to leave a lucrative career at the height of fame to prioritize marriage and children is both extraordinary and inspiring.
Beyond Radar, Burghoff’s work in theater, music, invention, and painting illustrates a multifaceted legacy of creativity, determination, and thoughtfulness.
Today, as a grandfather and active family figure, Burghoff continues to influence generations—not only through the timeless comedy of MASH* but also through the example of living according to one’s values.
His story is a poignant reminder that fame and wealth are fleeting, but love, guidance, and family memories endure.
Fans are encouraged to share their memories of MASH* and reflect on the life of a man who consistently chose love, family, and integrity over immediate fame and fortune.
Leaving behind the chaotic battlefields of the military-medical comedy MASH*, Gary Burghoff.
The actor beloved for his portrayal of the sweet, slightly mischievous Radar O’Reilly, made a conscious and life-altering decision.
At the height of his fame, Burghoff stepped away from Hollywood’s bright lights to focus on repairing and nurturing his family, which had begun to strain under the pressures of his demanding career.
It was a choice that would define his life far beyond the world of television.
A New Chapter: Grandfatherhood
Recently, at the age of 82, Burghoff experienced a new chapter of joy as he became a grandfather.
His son, Miles “Sonar” Burghoff, welcomed a baby girl, Rylee Elisabeth Burghoff, in late March 2023.
Miles shared a heartwarming photograph on social media of himself holding his newborn daughter.
His caption read, “I caught the best 8-pounder of my life today! Everyone meet Rylee Elisabeth Burghoff!”
The family’s celebration highlights not only the continuation of Burghoff’s personal legacy but also the deep bonds of love and shared passions across generations.
Miles, while following his father in spirit, took a different path professionally.
He became a skilled and dedicated professional angler, nurturing the family tradition of connecting with nature.
Speaking at a fishing tournament, he remarked, “He’s the one who really started me out,” to which Gary responded with humility, “I’m just here to offer moral support.
This is a testament to parents doing what they love with their kids.”
Miles’ nickname, “Sonar,” pays homage to Burghoff’s legendary role on MASH*, underlining the enduring cultural imprint of the show and the family’s own playful spirit.
Family Life and Personal Sacrifices
Burghoff’s personal life has been marked by complexity and resilience.
He and his second wife, Elizabeth Bolstrom, were married in 1985 and divorced in 2005.
Bolstrom passed away in November 2019. From his first marriage to Janet Gayle, Burghoff has a daughter, Gena Gayle Burghoff, born in 1985.
Despite personal and marital challenges, Burghoff remained steadfast in his commitment to family. In a candid interview with People, he remarked, “I didn’t leave MASH* a wealthy man.
I could have renegotiated my contract, but money wasn’t the most important thing in my life…
You either want to be rich and famous, or you want to be a daddy. You can’t do both.” This sentiment reflects the depth of his values and the sacrifices he made to prioritize personal over professional success.
After leaving MASH*, Burghoff declined numerous offers to appear in sitcoms during the 1980s, including a role on Newhart.
Instead, he focused on regional theater, carefully selecting projects that allowed him to maintain control over his schedule while spending time with his family.
While theater did not bring the same level of fame as his iconic television role, it offered personal fulfillment and the flexibility he craved, highlighting his willingness to sacrifice celebrity for the well-being of loved ones.
A Career Defined by Radar
Burghoff’s portrayal of Corporal Walter “Radar” O’Reilly spanned the show’s original seven seasons, from 1972 to 1983.
Radar, a naïve and endearing farm boy, served as the company clerk—and occasionally the bugler—for the U.S. Army’s Mobile Army Surgical Hospital during the Korean War.
Burghoff remains the only actor to play Radar in both the 1970 film MASH* and the television series, cementing his place in entertainment history.
The 1970 film, which featured Donald Sutherland, Robert Duvall, and Sally Kellerman as Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan, received critical acclaim, while the television adaptation turned Radar into a household name.
Initially appearing in every episode for the first three seasons, Burghoff’s on-screen presence diminished as family obligations and personal pressures grew.
He reduced his appearances from 24 episodes to 13 per season.
The emotional weight of portraying Radar, combined with marital difficulties, culminated in the two-part farewell, Good-Bye Radar, which depicted the character’s discharge from the army.
MAS*H director Charles S. Dubin later revealed that Burghoff “couldn’t go on” during filming, explaining, “He broke into tears, and I had to stop everything for 15 minutes and walk him around the backlot of Fox.”
The storylines, reflecting Radar’s struggles with love and departure, mirrored Burghoff’s personal life, lending his performance a profound authenticity that resonated with audiences.
While MASH* continued for three more seasons with Alan Alda as Capt.
Benjamin Franklin “Hawkeye” Pierce, Loretta Swit as “Hot Lips” Houlihan, and Jamie Farr as Sgt.
Maxwell Q. Klinger, Radar’s absence marked a turning point in Burghoff’s life. He reprised the role briefly in the spinoff AfterMASH and the unaired pilot WALTER*, which explored Radar’s life post-war.
Even a $4 million offer could not convince him to return full-time, demonstrating that family priorities outweighed financial incentives.
Reinvention Beyond Hollywood
Financial challenges followed Burghoff’s departure from Hollywood. By 1991, he reportedly had only $500 to his name.
Undeterred, he turned to his many talents to reinvent himself. Burghoff, an accomplished off-Broadway actor, jazz musician, stamp collector, and inventor (creator of “Chum Magic,” a device used to attract fish), developed a second career as a visual artist. His oil-on-canvas paintings of North American wildlife gained recognition in galleries and sold for tens of thousands of dollars.
His artistry, marked by meticulous attention to detail, has also supported charitable causes, including GoFundMe campaigns to aid victims of California wildfires, reflecting his enduring generosity.
Fans continue to celebrate Burghoff for his professional contributions and his personal integrity.
Social media posts by his children, particularly Jordan, have sparked an outpouring of appreciation.
One fan commented, “OMG I remember him when I was just a child watching MASH*. He still has the same voice and looks.”
Another added, “Good to see you, Mr. Burghoff. I’m donating not just because of the need, but because I feel I owe you something.
As a kid I watched MASH* and loved your work. Now my wife and I are enjoying it all over again on Netflix. You made me laugh, feel, and think, and I appreciated all of that.”
Legacy of a Caring Star
Gary Burghoff’s life exemplifies a rare balance of professional success, personal integrity, and devotion to family.
Choosing to leave a lucrative career at the height of fame to prioritize marriage and children is both extraordinary and inspiring.
Beyond Radar, Burghoff’s work in theater, music, invention, and painting illustrates a multifaceted legacy of creativity, determination, and thoughtfulness.
Today, as a grandfather and active family figure, Burghoff continues to influence generations—not only through the timeless comedy of MASH* but also through the example of living according to one’s values.
His story is a poignant reminder that fame and wealth are fleeting, but love, guidance, and family memories endure.
Fans are encouraged to share their memories of MASH* and reflect on the life of a man who consistently chose love, family, and integrity over immediate fame and fortune.
