Larry Linville

Infobox Person
name = Larry Linville


caption = Actor Larry Linville as Frank Burns (right) and actress Loretta Swit as Margaret 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. 1970

Lawrence 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-important Major Frank Burns in the television 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 inept genie trapped in a bottle); "The Love Boat"; "Mannix"; and "CHiPs". He also appeared on episodes of ' (he usually played a vicious, unfunny Frank Burns-type Gestapo 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 a stock character—the "Crazy General"—along with Edward Winter in the pilot episode of "Misfits of Science". He also starred in the short-lived "The Jeffersons" spinoff "Checking In", where he played Florence 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 malignant tumor under his sternum. His health problems continued over the next two years. Linville died of pneumonia in New York City on April 10, 2000 (fellow "M*A*S*H" actor Harry Morgan's 85th birthday) after complications from cancer surgery. He was cremated and his ashes were reportedly scattered at The Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation in Brantford, Ontario, Canada

External 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] at CNN.com
*Find A Grave|id=9875