As far as sitcoms go, it doesn’t get much better than MAS*H. The wartime comedy was never afraid to tackle serious subjects regarding the conflict and its effect on humanity. At the same time, it could still bring on the laughs like it was no one’s business. The core cast helped keep the show afloat for twelve years, though some cast changes occurred along the way.
In addition to this, numerous recurring characters and guest stars contributed their talents to several episodes. Many of these faces made their appearance long before they hit fame, so it’ll be interesting to see them as the following ten entries list ten guest stars you forgot were on MAS*H.
John Ritter
The talented actor was making the rounds on TV long before his big break on Three’s Company. In the episode “Deal Me Out,” Ritter played a wounded soldier dreading the idea of going back to the front once his injury healed up. Frank Burns continually taunts him and reminds him of his duty to his country.
Eventually, Ritter’s character gets fed up and takes Burns hostage. It’s hard to feel bad for the super-patriotic doctor considering his attitude throughout the series, but Trapper John and Hawkeye subdue the soldier and save Frank’s life.
Patrick Swayze
The Dirty Dancing star will forever be remembered for his masculine roles, but long before stardom came a role in the episode “Blood Brothers” as a terminally-ill soldier. Even though he has Leukemia and is in need of treatment, he refuses to leave his injured comrade’s side.
The soldier’s selflessness deeply affects Father Mulcahy. While it may be surprising to see some of these actors so early in their careers, one can easily see the star potential in Swayze’s performance. It also didn’t hurt that he was already one of the most gorgeous people on the planet.
James Cromwell
“Last Laugh” sees a significantly younger James Cromwell come to the camp and play a long series of practical jokes on everyone in the camp. It gets so ridiculous, even Hawkeye and B.J. want him to stop.
He eventually does, but not before the duo get the last laugh on him and getting their friend held accountable for his actions. Despite being almost two decades before his starring role in Babe and Star Trek: First Contact, the actor is easily recognizable.
Ron Howard
In his older years, Ron Howard is more noted for his directorial feats like Apollo 13 and Solo: A Star Wars Story. Older viewers will remember his starring role as Sheriff Andy Taylor’s son on The Andy Griffith Show.
In between both career paths he guest-starred on the episode “Sometimes You Hear the Bullet” as an underage soldier who lied his way into the army to impress a girl back home. Hawkeye is conflicted by hearing this and ultimately decides to blow the kid’s cover in order to save his life. As a consolation prize, he steals Frank Burns’ Purple Heart to give Howard’s character something to show off back home.
Shelley Long
Hawkeye likes to dwell in the sauce, and his attempts to curb his drinking is the subject of the episode “Bottle Fatigue.”
While taking a break from alcohol, he goes on a date with a nurse and destroys his chances after some unkind words regarding her drinking. The nurse in question is played by Shelley Long, two years before she would grace television screens weekly for years on Cheers.
Noriyuki “Pat” Morita
Noriyuki Morita, more commonly known by his stage name Pat, is most famous for playing Mr. Miyagi in the Karate Kid film series. He got his start as a comedian and got several bit parts on sitcoms, including a recurring role on Happy Days.
MAS*H stands out as an early role in a more serious job. Even though the show was still a comedy, it required more acting talent than the typical program on air at the time. He played a South Korean doctor on two episodes of the second season.
Joe Pantoliano
“Identity Crisis” follows a soldier stealing a dead comrade’s dog tag in an attempt to be sent home early. Father Mulcahy tries to persuade the soldier out of this scheme.
The wounded army man in question is played by none other than Joe Pantoliano, familiar to readers from The Matrix, The Sopranos, and Bad Boys. He is currently set to appear in the third film of the series, Bad Boys for Life. The actor is sixty-eight years old, and most of his noted work is from more recent years, making his appearance on the show’s tenth season a treat to behold.
Laurence Fishburne
Laurence Fishburne got his start in a supporting role in Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now, perhaps one of the most celebrated war movies ever made.
Not long afterward he played another soldier in a season ten episode of MAS*H. The episode, “The Tooth Shall Set You Free,” involves a commander who seems to only send black soldiers into the most dangerous operations, evident by the abundance of African-American soldiers sent in with injuries compared to white soldiers. Hawkeye and B.J. force him to resign or else face a court-martial.
Andrew Dice Clay
The last place one would expect to see Andrew Dice Clay is near a battlefield, yet he played a marine on an eleventh season Halloween episode “Trick or Treatment.” His character needs some attention from the doctors after injuring himself after a drunken accident.
The profane wisecracks are absent, but he still has that trademark Brooklyn accent. The voice, after all, isn’t a part of the act, but his natural voice.
Leslie Nielsen
Leslie Nielsen took the role in Airplane! in an attempt to avoid typecasting into his older years. It was far from his first comedic role, however.
Prior to the celebrated comedy, Nielsen played an overzealous soldier who Hawkeye and Trapper John want to take out of the field for his overabundance of casualties out on the front line in the episode “The Ringbanger.” The role is a far cry from his comedic Frank Drebin, being a serious character in a comedic sitcom.
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