Who played Colonel Henry Blake in the television series M*A*S*H?

McLean Stevenson played Colonel Henry Blake in the television series M*A*S*H. Blake was the original commanding officer of the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital and held the rank of lieutenant colonel during the Korean War setting.

Unlike the more disciplined regular Army officers around him, Blake was a reservist and a civilian doctor from Bloomington, Illinois. His relaxed, good-natured leadership made him popular with Hawkeye Pierce and Trapper John, even when his casual attitude toward regulations frustrated Frank Burns and Margaret Houlihan.

Stevenson originally auditioned for Hawkeye Pierce but was persuaded to take the role of Blake. He also contributed creatively to the show, writing the episode “The Trial of Henry Blake” and helping develop “The Army-Navy Game.” He left M*A*S*H during its third season because he wanted a larger role in the ensemble.

The television role is easy to confuse with the film version: Roger Bowen played Henry Blake in the 1970 movie, while Stevenson played him on television. Harry Morgan later played Colonel Sherman Potter, Blake’s successor.