Larry Linville: The Actor Behind M*A*S*H Villain Frank Burns

For five seasons, television audiences loved to hate Major Frank Burns, the smug, incompetent surgeon on M*A*S*H, but the man playing him was almost nothing like his character. Larry Linville brought such nuance to a superficial role that he created one of TV’s most memorable villains — and then quietly walked away to avoid being trapped by it.

Born: September 29, 1939 ·
Died: April 10, 2000 ·
Known for: Major Frank Burns on M*A*S*H ·
Cause of death: Throat cancer ·
Age at death: 60 ·
Years active: 1960–2000

Here are the key facts about Larry Linville’s life and career.

Did Alan Alda like Larry Linville?

The relationship between Alan Alda and Larry Linville has been a point of curiosity for M*A*S*H fans for decades. The two actors played bitter rivals on screen, but the off-screen dynamic was more nuanced — and perhaps less dramatic than popular lore suggests.

What did Alan Alda say at Larry Linville’s funeral?

• Alda delivered the eulogy at Linville’s funeral in 2000, praising his acting ability (IMDb Trivia)
• Alda described Linville as “a fine actor who made Frank Burns a character we loved to hate” (MeTV)
• Sources indicate Alda remembered Linville fondly after his death, distinguishing the man from the character (IMDb Trivia)

Who did Alan Alda not like working with on M*A*S*H?

There is no confirmed record of Alda personally disliking any co-star. The on-screen conflict with Frank Burns was purely professional; Alda later praised Linville’s talent and character. The tension existed between the characters, not the actors.

The actor who played Frank Burns was so convincing that some viewers assumed Linville himself had an abrasive personality. But his co-stars — including Alda — have repeatedly drawn a clear line between performance and person.

The implication: The on-screen animosity did not reflect the off-screen relationship.

Why was Larry Linville written out of M*A*S*H?

Linville’s departure was not a firing or a creative dispute — it was his own choice, driven by a clear-eyed understanding of where Frank Burns had gone as a character.

• Linville voluntarily left M*A*S*H after the fifth season in 1977 (Wikipedia)
• He declined a renewal offer for two more seasons at the start of the fifth season in late 1976 (Wikipedia)
• Linville said he left because he felt he had done everything possible with the Frank Burns character (IMDb Trivia)
• Secondary accounts report he believed the character had become increasingly one-dimensional and wanted to pursue other roles (Wikipedia)
• His departure was amicable — the show explained his absence as a transfer, and Linville never returned for guest appearances (Wikipedia)

The pattern: Linville made a career gamble that most actors would find terrifying — leaving a top-rated show at its peak because he believed the role had run its course. It was a decision rooted in artistic integrity rather than financial calculation.

Did Loretta Swit get along with Larry Linville?

On screen, Major Frank Burns had an awkward, often antagonistic dynamic with Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan, played by Loretta Swit. Off screen, the story was very different.

Did Larry Linville and Loretta Swit have an offscreen fling?

• Rumors of a romantic relationship between Swit and Linville have circulated for decades, but both parties denied them (Remind Magazine)
• Swit described Linville as a “delightful” and “gentle” person in interviews (MeTV)
• The on-screen animosity was pure acting — Swit and Linville maintained a friendly, professional relationship throughout the show’s run (Remind Magazine)

“Larry Linville was a gentle, delightful man. People would see the character he played and assume he was that person. Nothing could be further from the truth.”

— Loretta Swit, as quoted by MeTV

What this means: The Frank Burns–Margaret Houlihan relationship worked so well because both actors understood the assignment — create tension that serves the story. The fact that they were friends off camera made the on-screen friction even more impressive.

What was Larry Linville like in real life?

If Frank Burns was loud, petty, and insecure, Larry Linville was his polar opposite — educated, curious, and remarkably private.

Did Larry Linville serve in the military?

• Linville did not serve in the military; he pursued acting from an early age (Wikipedia)
• His realistic portrayal of a military officer was based on observation and acting skill, not personal experience (MeTV)

Was Larry Linville a smoker?

• Linville was a longtime smoker, a habit that contributed to his throat cancer diagnosis (Wikipedia)
• His smoking was a personal choice that had direct health consequences later in life (Remind Magazine)

Did Larry Linville have children?

• Linville had two children: Kelly and David (Wikipedia)
• Kelly Linville-Schwartz is his daughter from an earlier marriage (Monster M*A*S*H – Fandom)

Who was Larry Linville’s spouse?

• Linville was married four times (Wikipedia)
• His final marriage was to Susan Hagan, who was not an actress (Wikipedia)
• His earlier marriages included a brief union with actress Vicky Linville and two other relationships that ended in divorce (Monster M*A*S*H – Fandom)

“We weren’t Hollywood types. We had all worked in the theater. That’s why there were so few ego problems.”

— Larry Linville, as quoted by MeTV

What this means: Linville’s real personality was a complete inversion of his on-screen persona, which made his performance even more remarkable.

What was Larry Linville’s cause of death and legacy?

Linville’s death at age 60 came after a battle with throat cancer, but his legacy extends far beyond the circumstances of his passing.

What happened at Larry Linville’s funeral?

• Linville died of throat cancer on April 10, 2000, at age 60 (Wikipedia)
• His funeral was a private ceremony attended by close family and some M*A*S*H cast members (IMDb Trivia)
• Alan Alda spoke at the funeral, praising Linville’s acting and his contribution to the show (IMDb Trivia)
• Gary Burghoff, who played Radar O’Reilly, described Linville as a “renaissance man” with wide-ranging intellectual interests (IMDb Trivia)

What was Larry Linville’s net worth?

• Linville’s estimated net worth at the time of his death was approximately $500,000 (Wikipedia)
• This relatively modest figure reflects that he did not achieve the same level of commercial success after leaving M*A*S*H (Monster M*A*S*H – Fandom)

The pattern: By leaving at the peak, Linville ensured Frank Burns would remain a memorable character, not a tiresome one.

“Frank Burns could be a real pain, but Larry Linville was a pretty decent guy.”

— MeTV Facebook post, reflecting fan sentiment

For M*A*S*H fans who grew up watching Frank Burns squirm under Hawkeye’s barbs, discovering the real Larry Linville is like finding the other side of a well-worn coin. The actor who made us laugh at incompetence was himself a thoughtful, intellectually curious man who made a deliberate sacrifice: he left a hit show to preserve his artistic future, accepting that the role that made him famous might also be the one that defined his career. For an actor in Hollywood, the choice is clear: take the money and repeat yourself, or walk away and risk being forgotten. Linville chose the harder path, and in doing so, earned the respect of those who knew the man behind the uniform.

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