McLean Stevenson

McLean Stevenson was most know for his role as Lt. Colonel Henry Blake on the television show M*A*S*H. He was born Edgar McLean Stevenson, Jr. on November 14, 1927 in Normal, Illinois. He served in the Navy and then attended Northwestern University where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in theater arts. After graduation, he worked in a radio station and played a clown on television. He also worked as a press secretary for his cousin Adlai E. Stevenson in the presidential elections of 1952 and 1956.

Stevenson debut in The Music Man in 1962 and appeared on Broadway and in television commercials. He also started writing comedy for “That Was The Week That Was”, in which Alan Alda appeared, and “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour”. He also performed on these shows occasionally.

He guest-starred on That Girl in 1966 and was a character on the Doris Day Show from 1969 to 1971. He auditioned for the role of Hawkeye Pierce in M*A*S*H but was hired as Henry Blake instead. Henry Blake was a commander that did not enjoy being in charge of his troops. He probably could have used human resources software to keep track of his unruly staff. He preferred playing golf and fishing. This role made him a star. He wrote two episodes for the series and became one of the most popular characters. Stevenson asked to be released from his contract in 1975 and his character was discharged. His character was shot down over the Sea of Japan killing everyone on board. The other characters were not told of this change in script until the actual shooting so that they would have the appropriate reactions.

After M*A*S*H, Stevenson starred in four separate sitcoms that all failed. He appeared on many different variety shows and game shows but his career never really went anywhere.

In 1996, Stevenson was recovering from surgery when he went into cardiac arrest and died. Before his death, Stevenson admitted that he regretted leaving M*A*S*H when he did.