Edgar McLean Stevenson

 Edgar McLean Stevenson, Jr. (November 14, 1927 – February 15, 1996)

Stevenson was most recognized for his role as Lt. Colonel Henry Blake on the TV series M*A*S*H. He was also recognized for his role as Michael Nicholson on The Doris Day Show. After guest-starring on That Girl with Marlo Thomas, he was cast in The Doris Day Show in 1969, playing magazine editor boss Michael Nicholson until 1971. Originally, he auditioned for the role of Hawkeye Pierce in M*A*S*H, but was persuaded to play Lt. Col. Henry Blake instead. This role shot him to stardom. He eventually wrote the episode "The Trial of Henry Blake", and provided the story for another, "The Army-Navy Game", which earned Stevenson an Emmy nomination. Stevenson found his greatest success on M*A*S*H. The series quickly became one of the most popular situation comedies of its time, and was eventually recognized as one of the top sitcoms in television history. Despite the show's success, Stevenson began chafing (as did Wayne Rogers) at playing supporting parts to the wisecracking Hawkeye (played by Alan Alda), and asked to be released from his contract during the show's third season. The show's writers reluctantly penned him an exit in the final episode of the 1974-75 season, in which Lt. Colonel Blake was discharged, only to board a plane that was shot down over the Sea of Japan, killing everyone on board — a development added after scripts were distributed so the show's actors would display genuine emotion. After his departure from M*A*S*H, Stevenson's acting career began to decline.

He starred in a series of sitcoms, none of which lasted more than approximately one season. They included The McLean Stevenson Show (1976–77), In the Beginning (1978), Hello, Larry (1979–80) and Condo (1983). He also filled in for Johnny Carson as guest host of The Tonight Show 58 times, and as a guest on the program in 1982. Stevenson was recovering from bladder cancer surgery at the Encino-Tarzana Regional Medical Center on February 15, 1996, when he suffered a fatal heart attack and died. Stevenson is interred in Forest Lawn - Hollywood Hills Cemetery in Los Angeles.