MASH’s Wayne Rogers has died

Actor Wayne Rogers, who played Trapper John on the TV show “M.A.S.H.”, died Thursday in Los Angeles.

The show ran until 1983.

Wayne Rogers, beloved “M*A*S*H” star has died.

Born April 7, 1933, in Birmingham, Ala., Rogers graduated from Princeton University, where he dabbled in dramatics, performing in its Triangle show. Three decades after the show went off the air, a spinoff called Trapper John, MD aired but Rogers did not play the character. Rogers initially auditioned for the part of Hawkeye Pierce, before opting for the character Trapper John.

It was modeled after Robert Altman’s 1970 hit movie by the same name.

After leaving M*A*S*H*, he continued to guest-star on television, including in the Larry Hagman role in the TV movie I Dream of Jeannie… He had planned on attending Harvard Law School after joining the Navy, but his ship was docked in NY for maintenance and while there Rogers caught the acting bug for good. He also enjoyed success as a real estate and stock investor.

He started his career in multiple westerns and small roles in films including Cool Hand and The Glory Guys.

After M.A.S.H., Rogers became a successful businessman – founding an investment strategy firm and a production company.

His first marriage, to actress Mitzi McWhorter, ended in divorce. Menashe said he was survived by Amy, his children, Bill and Laura, and four grandchildren.