Which recurring psychiatrist in M*A*S*H was played by Allan Arbus?

The recurring M*A*S*H psychiatrist played by Allan Arbus was Sidney Freedman.

Major Sidney Theodore Freedman was an Army psychiatrist who visited the 4077th when soldiers or staff needed psychological evaluation or treatment. Allan Arbus played him as a recurring guest character rather than a regular member of the camp’s central ensemble.

Freedman first appeared in “Radar’s Report,” initially identified as Milton Freedman, while evaluating Klinger’s attempt to obtain a Section 8 discharge. The character later became known as Sidney and returned for a dozen episodes, including “Deal Me Out,” “Dear Sigmund,” “Pressure Points,” and the series finale, “Goodbye, Farewell and Amen.”

Freedman’s role was unusual for a sitcom-era war drama: he allowed the show to address combat stress, trauma, guilt, and psychiatric care directly. Arbus’s performance became one of his defining television roles. Luther Rizzo and Zelmo Zale were supporting camp personnel, while Sam Flagg was a separate recurring intelligence character, not the psychiatrist.