M*A*S*H Writer, Producer Larry Gelbart Dead at 81

[Ian]

Sad ... I'm a huge fan of M*A*S*H ... the cast and creators are slowing leaving us ...

CNN) -- Writer and producer Larry Gelbart, known for his work on the hit television series "M*A*S*H," died Friday in his Beverly Hills, California, home, his wife said.

Gelbart died of cancer, Pat Gelbart said. He was 81.

According to the Internet Movie Database, Gelbart directed 6 episodes of "M*A*S*H," the satirical comedy about Army doctors at a field hospital in the Korean War. The series ran from 1972 to 1983 and was based on a popular movie and book of the same name.

"M*A*S*H" was so popular it lasted much longer than the Korean War itself, and was seen as a commentary on American involvement in the Vietnam War. Gelbart also was involved in the short-lived sequel, "After MASH."

Gelbart also wrote for films, with his credits including the 1982 hit "Tootsie" and "Oh, God!" in 1977.

In more recent years, Gelbart was a writer of the 1993 TV movie "Barbarians at the Gate," which won an Emmy and two Golden Globes.

In 2000, he was involved in the remake of the film "Bedazzled" and at the time of his death was working on a project called "City of Angels," according to IMDB.

[EPCOT84]

Larry Gelbart was indeed one of the geniuses behind the success of M*A*S*H. I was saddened to read of his passing. To Larry, a drink raised in your honor
Rest in peace, from the Swamp.

[BPATSMouse]

Very sad. M*A*S*H is one of my all time favorite shows.

[VolMickey]

Very sad. M*A*S*H is one of my all time favorite shows.

+1. Feel the same way.

[magicofdisney]

Definitely a classic show. It was an incredible mix of writers and performers.

[bucky at disney]

Very sad. M*A*S*H is one of my all time favorite shows.

RIP

One of these years I am going to get the boxed set. I still watch the reruns on Hallmark Channel.

[DisneyDog]

Although I am way too young to have watched Your Show Of Shows (1950s), I am fascinated with television from that time period. Larry Gelbart was one of the writers from this work of pure genius. He worked along side Sid Caesar (star of the show), Imogene Coca (you may remember her as the elderly aunt from National Lampoon's Vacation), Mel Brooks, Woody Allen and Carl Reiner. This was a ground breaking show and so incredibly funny. Check out the dvds if you can.

[Ian]

He worked along side Sid Caesar (star of the show), Imogene Coca (you may remember her as the elderly aunt from National Lampoon's Vacation), Mel Brooks, Woody Allen and Carl Reiner ...

Trivia question ... there's another "Vacation" movie tie-in in this list ... who is it?

And no Google or IMBD cheating! You're on the Disney Honor System here!

[DisneyDog]

Oh, yeah, wasn't Sid Caesar in Vegas Vacation?

I sometimes think I was born 50 years too late. I know more about comedy writers and comedians from the 1950s than I do about celebrities from today.

[Ian]

Oh, yeah, wasn't Sid Caesar in Vegas Vacation?

Ding ding ding ding ding! We have a winnah!

I sometimes think I was born 50 years too late. I know more about comedy writers and comedians from the 1950s than I do about celebrities from today.

That's because in the 50's those people were called "talent." IMO there's a big different between the "talent" of the 1950's and 60's and the "celebrities" of this era.

[DisneyDog]

Yes, and I used the word "celebrity" specifically to differentiate between the two.