Popular American actor McLean Stevenson is best known for playing Lt. Colonel Henry Blake in the successful TV show “M*A*S*H.” Stevenson had a strange variety of jobs in his early years while earning a degree in theater.
He also had a brief career in the US Navy. However, he became well-known as an actor, a profession he decided to pursue on his cousin’s advice.
Stevenson made his breakthrough in the 1960s after a slow start. He was able to get the part of Lt.
Colonel Henry Blake in the popular television series “M*A*S*H” because of his early performances on “The Doris Day Show” and other guest spots. Stevenson’s career was in decline after his resignation from “M*A*S*H.”
Aside from M*A*S*H, he is most known for his roles in the later-career television series “The McLean Stevenson Show,” “Hello Larry,” and “Condo.” Additionally, he made numerous long-form films.
He served as a guest panelist on the well-known game program “Match Game” in the early 1980s. In the miniseries “Tales of the City,” he made his last televised appearance. Stevenson passed away soon after.
Mclean Stevenson’s Date of Birth and Parents
Edgar and Lottie McLean Stevenson welcomed their son Edgar McLean Stevenson Jr. on November 14, 1927, in Normal, Illinois. Ann Whitney, his sister, was a well-known actress.
Mclean Stevenson’s Education
After completing his education at Lake Forest Academy, he enlisted in the US Navy. He chose to pursue theater studies at Northwestern University after serving his country. After earning a bachelor’s degree, he started a career in radio.
Stevenson generally had an idle existence, but he did have aspirations of breaking into Hollywood. Selling insurance and medical supplies was how he supported himself. He continued to work for the radio station while also serving as a press secretary.
His cousin suggested that Stevenson get into the show industry when he went to New York in 1961 for a political event since it was clear that he had an attraction. He continued to work in nightclubs and comedic performances while he was still in New York.
Stevenson was able to get into the business thanks to a scholarship he received to study at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Only after he had his diploma from the school did he make an appearance on the big screen.
Mclean Stevenson’s Career
With the television program “The Girl,” McLean Stevenson made his acting debut. Later in the year, he was given a larger part in the comedy TV show “The Doris Day Show.”
In the program, which ran from 1969 to 1971, he played Michael Nicholson for 49 episodes over three seasons.
He starred in many TV movies in 1971, including “Mr. and Mrs. Bo Jo Jones,” “My Wives Jane,” and the feature-length drama “The Christian Licorice Store.” Additionally, he made guest appearances in the TV shows “Love, American Style” and “The Bold Ones: The New Doctors.”
Despite getting off to a slow start, Stevenson had made a name for himself in the field. The highly regarded comedy war series “M-A-S-H” cast him as Lt. Col. Henry Blake, which would prove to be a turning point in his career.
His other performances in 1972 included a cameo in the television program “Insight” and the TV movie “This Week in Nemtim.”
Stevenson spent his whole time until 1975 shooting for “M-A-S-H” and appeared in just a few films, including “Shirts/Skins” from 1973 and “Win, Place or Steal” (1974).
His performance as Lt. Col. Henry Blake pushed him to popularity as “M-A-S-H” enjoyed great success. Over the course of three seasons, he was seen in 72 episodes of the show.
In addition, his performance earned him a number of nominations and a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor in a TV Series.
Steven not only played a character on “M-A-S-H,” but he also wrote an episode called “The Trial of Henry Blake.” The 1974 episode garnered positive reviews from both reviewers and viewers, and it was also nominated for an Emmy.
After “M-A-S-H” was a hit, Stevenson was cast in more significant parts. In twelve episodes of the 1976–1977 television series “The McLean Stevenson Show,” he starred Mac Ferguson.
He made his television debut in 1978 in the TV series “In the Beginning,” playing the part of Father Daniel M. Cleary for nine episodes. He played Link in the science fiction comedy “The Cat from Outer Space.”
In three episodes of the family drama “Diff’rent Strokes” in 1979, Stevenson made his television debut as Larry Alder. The success of the program was a diversion from “Hello, Larry,” where he played Larry Alder for two seasons and 38 episodes.
His appearances became rare during the subsequent two years. He only appeared in a few episodes of the 1981 comedy-romance series “The Loveboat” and the 1982 TV movie “The Astronauts.”
Stevenson had previously served as a guest panelist on “Match Game” for several weeks in 1973, and he took on the same position again in 1978. Up to the show’s cancellation in 1981, he was a regular panelist starting in 1981.
In 1983, the comedy series “Condo” gave McLean Stevenson his next recurring part, James Kirkridge, in which he appeared for 13 episodes. He had a cameo appearance in the drama series “Hotel” the following year.
Despite a successful beginning to the decade, responsibilities decreased by the 1980s’ end. Stevenson only appeared in a few episodes of Tall Tales & Legends, The Golden Girls, Mathnet, and Square One Television between 1986 and 1988. (1988).
In 1988, he landed his following recurring part in the romantic followup to the film “Dirty Dancing.” From 1988 to 1989, Stevenson represented Max Kellerman in eleven episodes. He appeared in the 1989 television film “Class Cruise.”
Stevenson’s last appearance on a major motion picture screen was in the 1993 miniseries “Tales of the City.” In two out of the six episodes, he played the part of Booter Manigault. He put acting on hold due to a variety of medical conditions.