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William Christopher

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For the artist and activist, see [[:William R. Christopher]]. For the German nobleman, see [[:William Christopher of Baden-Baden]].
William Christopher
Christopher as Father Mulcahy in M*A*S*H, 1977
Born(1932-10-20)October 20, 1932
Evanston, Illinois, U.S.
DiedDecember 31, 2016(2016-12-31) (aged 84)
Pasadena, California, U.S.
Cause of deathSmall-cell carcinoma
Alma materWesleyan University
OccupationActor
Years active1965–2012
SpouseBarbara O'Connor
Children2

William Christopher (October 20, 1932 – December 31, 2016) was an American actor, best known for playing Private Lester Hummel on Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. from 1965 to 1968 and Father Mulcahy on the television series M*A*S*H from 1972 to 1983 and its spinoff AfterMASH from 1983 to 1985.

Early life

Christopher was born in Evanston, Illinois, in a family believed to be descendants of Paul Revere.[1] He spent his youth in several of Chicago's northern surburbs,[2] including Winnetka, where he attended New Trier High School.[2] Christopher graduated from Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut with a B.A. in drama, focusing on Greek literature.[1][3] While at college, he participated in fencing, soccer, and the glee club, and was initiated as a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity.[4]

Christopher met his future wife, Barbara, on a blind date. They married in 1957 and the couple adopted two sons, John and Ned.[1]

Career

Christopher (right) as an Army doctor on an episode of Good Times
Christopher (back left) as Father Mulcahy in 1977 cast photo of M*A*S*H

Christopher moved to New York and appeared in a variety of regional productions and later a number of off-Broadway productions such as The Hostage at One Sheridan Square. His Broadway debut came in Beyond the Fringe, a British revue, acting alongside Peter Cook and Dudley Moore.[5][1]

Christopher left New York City for Hollywood to attempt to gain work in television where he guest-starred in several well-known series, including The Andy Griffith Show, Death Valley Days, The Patty Duke Show and The Men from Shiloh. He made several appearances on Hogan's Heroes, and had recurring roles on Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. and That Girl. In 1972, Christopher gained the role of Father Mulcahy in the television series M*A*S*H when the actor who was first cast in the role, George Morgan, was replaced after a single appearance in the pilot episode.[5] Immediately following M*A*S*H, Christopher continued the role for the two seasons of the short-lived spin-off AfterMASH.[1]

In feature films, Christopher performed in The Fortune Cookie, The Private Navy of Sgt. O'Farrell, The Shakiest Gun in the West, With Six You Get Eggroll, and Hearts of the West.[1] He had parts in telefilms including The Movie Maker, The Perils of Pauline, and For the Love of It. With Six You Get Eggroll is notable for fans of M*A*S*H, as Jamie Farr appears along with Christopher five years before they co-starred in the series, both playing hippies.[1]

After gaining attention for M*A*S*H, Christopher appeared in various other television series, including Good Times (as the military doctor examining J. J. Evans) and Murder, She Wrote, and made multiple guest appearances on The Love Boat. In 1998, he guest-starred as a priest in an episode of Mad About You.[1] He also remained active in the theater, including a tour of the United States in the mid-1990s with Farr, performing Neil Simon's The Odd Couple on stage.[1] In 2008–09, he toured with Church Basement Ladies.[6]

Charity work

Christopher, whose son Ned has autism, devoted much of his spare time to the National Autistic Society, doing public service announcements to bring attention to autism. In 1985, he and his wife Barbara wrote Mixed Blessings, a book about their experiences in raising Ned.[5]

Death

Christopher died at his home in Pasadena, California on December 31, 2016. According to his son John Christopher, the 84-year old actor died as the result of small-cell carcinoma.[7][8]

He had been diagnosed with cancer about 18 months earlier, according to his New York-based agent, Robert Malcolm.[9]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "William Christopher – Biography". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved January 1, 2017.
  2. ^ a b Hendrickson, Matthew (December 31, 2016). "'MASH' actor, Evanston native William Christopher dead at 84". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved January 1, 2017.
  3. ^ Carcamo, Cindy (December 31, 2016). "William Christopher, Father Mulcahy on 'MASH,' dies at 84". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 1, 2017.
  4. ^ "Honoring the Sigma Chi Fraternity on the occasion of its 150th anniversary". Congressional Record. June 22, 2005. Retrieved January 1, 2017.
  5. ^ a b c Littleton, Cynthia (December 31, 2016). "'M*A*S*H' Star William Christopher Dies at 84". Variety. Retrieved January 1, 2017.
  6. ^ "Church Basement Ladies Tour 2008". Troupeamerica.com. Retrieved May 17, 2011.
  7. ^ "William Christopher, Father Mulcahy on 'MASH,' dies at 84". ABC7 Los Angeles. Retrieved January 1, 2017.
  8. ^ Dunham, Will (December 31, 2016). "Actor William Christopher, M*A*S*H chaplain, dead at 84". Reuters.
  9. ^ "William Christopher dead, 84: MASH star loses battle with cancer". News.com.au. January 1, 2017. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
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