- Larry Linville
Infobox Person
name = Larry Linville
caption = Actor Larry Linville asFrank Burns (right) and actressLoretta Swit asMargaret Houlihan in the pilot episode of "M*A*S*H".
dead = dead
birth_date = birth date|1939|9|29|mf=y
birth_place =Ojai, California
death_date = death date and age|2000|4|10|1939|9|29|mf=y
death_place =New York, New York
occupation = Actor, Director
years_active = 1960–96
spouse = Deborah Guydon (1993 - 10 April 2000) (his death)
Susan Hagan (15 October 1986 - 1992) (divorced)
Melissa Gallant (24 April 1982 - 1985) (divorced)
Vana Tribbey (25 December 1977 - 20 April 1982) (divorced)
Kate Geer (25 April 1962 - 1975) (divorced) 1 child
children = Kelly Linville (daughter),
b. 1970Lawrence Lavonne "Larry" Linville (
September 29 ,1939 –April 10 ,2000 ) was an American actor.Biography
Larry Linville was born in
Ojai, California , and is best-known for his portrayal of obnoxious, self-importantMajor Frank Burns in thetelevision series "M*A*S*H".He was married five times: to Vana Tribbey, Kate Geer, Melissa Gallant, Susan Haganand, and Deborah Guydon. His only child, Kelly Linville (born 1970), is a photo technician in
Los Angeles, California ."M*A*S*H"
In stark contrast to the belligerent, callous, mean-spirited, selfish Frank, Larry Linville himself has often been described by the show's other cast members as a kind, friendly man who was very open-minded and courteous to those around him. When the show started, Larry signed a five-year contract and was offered a renewal for two more seasons when his contract expired, but he declined. After five seasons, Larry had grown tired of playing the same negative, cartoonish
antagonist , especially since during that period, the show's tone had changed from pure comedy to more drama-focused story lines. Linville also felt that he had taken the Frank Burns character as far as he could, given how "M*A*S*H" had developed, and decided to leave the series so that he could pursue other, more challenging roles.Post-"M*A*S*H" career
Linville starred in a total of 28 movies and TV shows. He guest-starred in many TV shows, most frequently "
Murder, She Wrote "; "Fantasy Island " (he appears as an ineptgenie trapped in a bottle); "The Love Boat "; "Mannix "; and "CHiPs ". He also appeared on episodes of ' (he usually played a vicious, unfunny Frank Burns-typeGestapo secret policeman), "The Rockford Files " (playing a petulant Frank Burns-type psychologist), and ', in which he played the youngest police captain on the force. Ironically, before appearing on "M*A*S*H", Linville played a doctor on the TV Movie "The Night Stalker ", a predecessor of the "Kolchak" TV series. After "M*A*S*H", he played astock character —the "Crazy General"—along withEdward Winter in the pilot episode of "Misfits of Science ". He also starred in the short-lived "The Jeffersons " spinoff "Checking In ", where he playedFlorence Johnston 's (Marla Gibbs ) nemesis,Lyle Block ; however, this series only lasted four episodes. In 1991, Linville appeared on a episode of the TV series "Night Court " as a doctor.Health and death
A longtime smoker and drinker, Linville underwent surgery in February 1998 to remove part of his
lung after doctors found a malignanttumor under hissternum . His health problems continued over the next two years. Linville died ofpneumonia inNew York City onApril 10 ,2000 (fellow "M*A*S*H" actor Harry Morgan's 85th birthday) after complications fromcancer surgery . He wascremated and his ashes were reportedly scattered at TheSix Nations of the Grand River First Nation in Brantford, Ontario, CanadaExternal links
*imdb name|id=0513271|name=Larry Linville
* [http://archives.cnn.com/2000/SHOWBIZ/TV/04/11/larry.linville/ 'M*A*S*H' actor Linville dead at 60] atCNN.com
*Find A Grave|id=9875
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