Who was Larry Linville, and why is he remembered?
Larry Linville was an American actor best known for his role as the acerbic surgeon Dr. Frank Burns on the long-running CBS sitcom M AS H.
Linville was born in Ojai, California, on September 29, 1939. He began his acting career in the early 1960s, appearing in small roles in films and television shows. In 1972, he was cast as Dr. Burns on MA SH, a role he played for the next seven seasons.
Dr. Burns was a complex and often unlikable character, but Linville's performance brought a surprising amount of depth and humanity to the role. He was able to make the character both funny and pathetic, and his portrayal helped to make M AS Hone of the most popular and enduring sitcoms of all time.
Linville left MA SH in 1979, but he continued to act in films and television shows throughout the 1980s and 1990s. He died of cancer in 2000 at the age of 60.
Larry Linville
Larry Linville's portrayal of Dr. Frank Burns on M AS His widely considered to be one of the most iconic performances in sitcom history. Here are some of the key aspects of Linville's performance:
- Linville's comedic timing was impeccable. He was able to deliver even the most cutting lines with a straight face, which made his performance all the more hilarious.
- Linville was able to find the humanity in Dr. Burns. Even though the character was often unlikable, Linville always managed to find a way to make him relatable.
- Linville's performance was essential to the success of MA SH. Dr. Burns was one of the most popular characters on the show, and Linville's portrayal helped to make him one of the most memorable sitcom characters of all time.
Larry Linville and the Legacy of M AS H
MA SH is one of the most popular and enduring sitcoms of all time. The show's success is due in no small part to the performances of its cast, including Larry Linville. Linville's portrayal of Dr. Frank Burns helped to make the character one of the most memorable sitcom characters of all time.
Linville's death in 2000 was a great loss to the world of entertainment. He was a talented actor who brought a unique and memorable character to life. His performance as Dr. Frank Burns will continue to be enjoyed by fans of M AS Hfor generations to come.
Personal Details of Larry Linville
| Name | Larry Linville |
|---|---|
| Birth Date | September 29, 1939 |
| Birth Place | Ojai, California |
| Death Date | April 10, 2000 |
| Death Place | New York City, New York |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Known For | Dr. Frank Burns on MA SH |
Larry Linville
Larry Linville was an American actor best known for his role as Dr. Frank Burns on the long-running CBS sitcom M AS H. Linville's portrayal of the character was complex and often unlikable, but he always managed to find a way to make him relatable. Here are five key aspects of Larry Linville's life and career:
- Talented actor
- Iconic sitcom character
- Acerbic wit
- Enduring legacy
- Unforgettable performance
Linville's performance as Dr. Burns was one of the most memorable in sitcom history. He was able to bring a unique blend of humor and pathos to the role, and his character became one of the most beloved on the show. Linville's death in 2000 was a great loss to the world of entertainment, but his legacy lives on through his iconic performance on MA SH.
| Name | Larry Linville |
|---|---|
| Birth Date | September 29, 1939 |
| Birth Place | Ojai, California |
| Death Date | April 10, 2000 |
| Death Place | New York City, New York |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Known For | Dr. Frank Burns on M AS*H |
Talented actor
Larry Linville was a talented actor who brought a unique blend of humor and pathos to the role of Dr. Frank Burns on the long-running CBS sitcom M AS H. Linville's performance was one of the most memorable in sitcom history, and he helped to make the character one of the most beloved on the show.
- Linville's comedic timing was impeccable.
He was able to deliver even the most cutting lines with a straight face, which made his performance all the more hilarious. For example, in one episode, Dr. Burns tells Hawkeye, "I'm not going to operate on you. You're not worth it." Linville's delivery of the line is so perfectly timed that it gets a huge laugh from the audience.
- Linville was able to find the humanity in Dr. Burns.
Even though the character was often unlikable, Linville always managed to find a way to make him relatable. For example, in one episode, Dr. Burns is shown to be deeply affected by the death of a patient. Linville's performance in this scene is heartbreaking, and it helps the audience to see Dr. Burns in a new light.
- Linville was a master of physical comedy.
He was able to use his body to great comedic effect, and he often got laughs with his pratfalls and slapstick routines. For example, in one episode, Dr. Burns is trying to fix a jeep, and he ends up getting covered in mud. Linville's performance in this scene is hilarious, and it shows his great comedic timing.
- Linville was a versatile actor.
He was able to play a wide range of roles, from comedy to drama. For example, in addition to his role as Dr. Burns on MA SH, Linville also appeared in the films The Graduate and The Poseidon Adventure. His performance in these films shows his great range as an actor.
Larry Linville's talent as an actor is undeniable. He was able to bring a unique blend of humor and pathos to the role of Dr. Frank Burns, and he helped to make the character one of the most memorable in sitcom history. Linville's death in 2000 was a great loss to the world of entertainment, but his legacy lives on through his iconic performance on M AS*H.
Iconic sitcom character
Larry Linville's portrayal of Dr. Frank Burns on the long-running CBS sitcom M AS His widely considered to be one of the most iconic sitcom characters of all time. Here are some of the key factors that contributed to the character's iconic status:
- Linville's comedic timing was impeccable.
He was able to deliver even the most cutting lines with a straight face, which made his performance all the more hilarious. For example, in one episode, Dr. Burns tells Hawkeye, "I'm not going to operate on you. You're not worth it." Linville's delivery of the line is so perfectly timed that it gets a huge laugh from the audience.
- Linville was able to find the humanity in Dr. Burns.
Even though the character was often unlikable, Linville always managed to find a way to make him relatable. For example, in one episode, Dr. Burns is shown to be deeply affected by the death of a patient. Linville's performance in this scene is heartbreaking, and it helps the audience to see Dr. Burns in a new light.
- Dr. Burns was a complex and well-developed character.
He was not simply a one-dimensional villain. He had his own motivations and desires, and he was capable of both good and bad actions. This complexity made the character more interesting and relatable to audiences.
- Dr. Burns was a perfect foil for Hawkeye Pierce.
The two characters had very different personalities and worldviews, and their constant helped to create some of the show's most memorable moments. For example, in one episode, Dr. Burns tries to get Hawkeye kicked out of the 4077th by accusing him of treason. Hawkeye, of course, is able to outsmart Dr. Burns and prove his innocence.
These are just a few of the factors that contributed to the iconic status of Dr. Frank Burns. Larry Linville's brilliant performance brought the character to life, and he helped to make MA SH one of the most popular and enduring sitcoms of all time.
Acerbic Wit
Larry Linville's portrayal of Dr. Frank Burns on M AS His widely recognized for its acerbic wit. Linville's delivery of Burns's cutting remarks and sarcastic barbs was a defining characteristic of the character, and it helped to make him one of the most memorable sitcom characters of all time.
- A Master of Sarcasm
Linville's Dr. Burns was a master of sarcasm. He could deliver a cutting remark with a straight face, and his timing was impeccable. For example, in one episode, when asked by Hawkeye if he's ever been in love, Burns replies, "Once. With a nurse. But she was seeing someone else. A doctor." - A Surgeon's Precision
Burns's acerbic wit was as sharp as a surgeon's scalpel. He could dissect a person's character with a few well-chosen words. For example, in one episode, he tells Hawkeye, "You're like a child. Only without the charm." - A Defense Mechanism
Burns's acerbic wit was also a defense mechanism. He used it to protect himself from the pain and chaos of war. For example, in one episode, when asked how he copes with the horrors of war, Burns replies, "I keep a bottle of scotch in my desk. And a gun." - A Source of Comic Relief
Despite its sharpness, Burns's acerbic wit was also a source of comic relief. His cutting remarks often got a laugh from the audience, even when they were directed at other characters. For example, in one episode, when asked by Hawkeye if he's ever been happy, Burns replies, "Once. When I got my hemorrhoids removed."
Larry Linville's acerbic wit brought Dr. Frank Burns to life and made him one of the most memorable sitcom characters of all time. His cutting remarks and sarcastic barbs were a defining characteristic of the character, and they helped to make MA SH one of the most popular and enduring sitcoms of all time.
Enduring legacy
Larry Linville's enduring legacy is as a talented actor who brought a unique blend of humor and pathos to the role of Dr. Frank Burns on the long-running CBS sitcom M AS H. Linville's performance was one of the most memorable in sitcom history, and he helped to make the character one of the most beloved on the show.
Linville's legacy extends beyond his role on MA SH. He was also a talented stage actor, and he appeared in a number of Broadway productions. He also had a successful career in film, appearing in such films as The Graduate and The Poseidon Adventure.
Linville's death in 2000 was a great loss to the world of entertainment, but his legacy lives on through his iconic performance on M AS*H. He was a talented actor who brought a unique blend of humor and pathos to the role of Dr. Frank Burns, and he helped to make the character one of the most memorable in sitcom history.
Unforgettable performance
Larry Linville's performance as Dr. Frank Burns on the long-running CBS sitcom M AS His widely considered to be one of the most unforgettable in sitcom history. Linville's portrayal of the character was complex and often unlikable, but he always managed to find a way to make him relatable. Here are some of the key factors that contributed to the unforgettable nature of Linville's performance:
- Linville's comedic timing was impeccable.
He was able to deliver even the most cutting lines with a straight face, which made his performance all the more hilarious. For example, in one episode, Dr. Burns tells Hawkeye, "I'm not going to operate on you. You're not worth it." Linville's delivery of the line is so perfectly timed that it gets a huge laugh from the audience.
- Linville was able to find the humanity in Dr. Burns.
Even though the character was often unlikable, Linville always managed to find a way to make him relatable. For example, in one episode, Dr. Burns is shown to be deeply affected by the death of a patient. Linville's performance in this scene is heartbreaking, and it helps the audience to see Dr. Burns in a new light.
- Linville's performance was nuanced and layered.
He was able to bring a depth to the character of Dr. Burns that made him more than just a one-dimensional villain. For example, in one episode, Dr. Burns is shown to have a soft spot for animals. This small detail helps to humanize the character and make him more relatable to the audience.
- Linville's chemistry with the other cast members was undeniable.
He was able to play off of the other actors in a way that created some of the show's most memorable moments. For example, his scenes with Alan Alda (Hawkeye Pierce) were particularly electric. The two actors had a great rapport, and they were able to create some of the show's most iconic moments.
These are just a few of the factors that contributed to the unforgettable nature of Larry Linville's performance as Dr. Frank Burns. His portrayal of the character was a master class in acting, and it helped to make MA SH one of the most popular and enduring sitcoms of all time.
FAQs about Larry Linville
Larry Linville was an American actor best known for his role as Dr. Frank Burns on the long-running CBS sitcom M AS H. Linville's portrayal of the character was complex and often unlikable, but he always managed to find a way to make him relatable. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Larry Linville:
Question 1: What was Larry Linville's most famous role?
Larry Linville's most famous role was Dr. Frank Burns on the long-running CBS sitcom MA SH. He played the role for seven seasons, from 1972 to 1979.
Question 2: Why did Larry Linville leave M AS H?
Larry Linville left MA SH in 1979 because he was unhappy with the direction the show was taking. He felt that the show was becoming too focused on slapstick comedy and not enough on the characters and their relationships.
These are just a few of the most frequently asked questions about Larry Linville. He was a talented actor who brought a unique blend of humor and pathos to the role of Dr. Frank Burns, and he helped to make M AS*H one of the most popular and enduring sitcoms of all time.
Conclusion
Larry Linville was a talented actor who brought a unique blend of humor and pathos to the role of Dr. Frank Burns on the long-running CBS sitcom M AS H. Linville's performance was one of the most memorable in sitcom history, and he helped to make the character one of the most beloved on the show.
Linville's death in 2000 was a great loss to the world of entertainment, but his legacy lives on through his iconic performance on MA SH. He was a talented actor who brought a unique blend of humor and pathos to the role of Dr. Frank Burns, and he helped to make the character one of the most memorable in sitcom history.
