Gary Burghoff AKA Radar from ‘M*A*S*H’ Always Kept His Left Hand Out of View – Five Times We Could See It
Gary Burghoff, who played Corporal Radar O’Reilly on “M*A*S*H,” became a fan favorite. Yet, few noticed his careful effort to hide his left hand on screen. Only occasionally seen, this detail had a personal reason, which Burghoff later revealed, adding depth to his beloved character’s story.
The hit 1972 sitcom “M*A*S*H” introduced the world to many memorable and beloved characters, from the smart-mouthed yet compassionate Captain Benjamin Franklin “Hawkeye” Pierce to his endearing friend, Captain B.J. Hunnicutt. Almost every character had a place in the minds of the fans.
Gary Burghoff, Mike Farrell, and Alan Alda during the filming of the television show “M*A*S*H,” circa August 1976 | Source: Getty Images
One of the characters who was often featured but was easily overlooked by his military counterparts due to his nervous nature was the 4077 MASH unit’s company clerk, Corporal Walter Eugene “Radar” O’Reilly. Although many of the staff on the base tended to take Radar’s professional efforts for granted, the fans surely noticed him.
Gary Burghoff on “M*A*S*H” in 1977 | Source: Getty Images
Radar was portrayed by the acclaimed actor Gary Burghoff from the start of the TV show in 1972 until the seventh season, which aired in 1979. Although fans clamored for more of the unassuming clerk, Burghoff revealed that he needed to step away from the show to rekindle his personal relationships and fight burnout.
Allison Argo and Gary Burghoff in “Casino,” 1980 | Source: Getty Images
“M*A*S*H’s” Influence and Burghoff’s Personal Identity
Although Burghoff enjoyed playing Radar, the role became increasingly demanding. The actor commented that it became difficult to separate himself from his character in the eyes of the public, which soon became tedious. He also
“Aw, I know I’m cute. Cute, cute, CUTE! I was always cute because I was always the smallest kid on the block. I hate cute.”
Gary Burghoff on “M*A*S*H” | Source: 20th Century Fox Television
Everyone saw Burghoff as an adorable, short, timid character as they’d known him on-screen and on the stage for many years. However, after years of being looked down upon, both metaphorically and physically speaking, Burghoff grew tired of the persona so easily attributed to him by scores of people he had never even met.
Gary Burghoff and Linda Henning in “Love American Style” in 1973 | Source: Getty Images
The actor lashed out against this view of him as a cute little fellow by defending his height. As he so rightly pointed out, 5 feet 6 inches isn’t irregularly short, and he would have seen the tops of Arte Johnson or Mickey Rooney’s heads had they ever met. Nonetheless, the persona stuck.
Luckily for all his fans, Burghoff didn’t let his disability stand in his way, and he pursued his dream of becoming an actor.
Gary Burghoff in “Fantasy Island,” 1978 | Source: Getty Images
Despite his misgivings about how others perceived him, Burghoff’s fellow cast members adored him. The director Charles Dubin recalled working with Burghoff before he left “M*A*S*H,”
Gary Burghoff in “M*A*S*H” in California, 1975 | Source: Getty Images
Burghoff had been born with a congenital disability called Brachydactyly, a form of Poland Syndrome. The condition left the actor with three fingers on his left hand that were noticeably smaller than the rest of his digits, and the abnormality had plagued him since he was a small child. The actor
“Of course, this defect affected me while I was growing up. I suppose when I was very young, I knew my disability would set me apart and make me special.”
Gary Burghoff as a guest star on “The Love Boat,” season 1, circa 1977 | Source: Getty Images
Luckily for all his fans, Burghoff didn’t let his disability stand in his way, and he pursued his dream of becoming an actor. Yet, becoming a fan-favorite on one of the most iconic TV shows America had ever produced never managed to quell his insecurities about his stout fingers and stocky frame.
Gary Burghoff in Canada, 1988 | Source: Getty Images
Gary Burghoff on April 7, 2001, in North Hollywood, California | Source: Getty Images
Throughout his run on “M*A*S*H,” Burghoff tried to hide his left hand from the camera. He would often position himself so that the camera could only see one side of his body and usually gestured with his right if the scene required it, although the actor would be obligated to use both hands now and again.
Gary Burghoff as Radar O’Reilly on “M*A*S*H,” circa August 1976 | Source: Getty Images
Gary Burghoff in Malibu, California, in 1977 | Source: Getty Images
In one of the earliest episodes, viewers were introduced to Radar as he stood in an open area, wearing a greyish shirt and his trademark cap. As the actor turned around and looked at the sky — once again hearing approaching helicopters before everyone else — the camera briefly panned over both his hands holding a football.
Gary Burghoff on “M*A*S*H” | Source: 20th Century Fox Television
When Colonel Sherman T. Potter first made his appearance on the show, taking over from the beloved Lieutenant Colonel Henry Blake, Radar and the new commander shared a scene where they first met. As Colonel Potter exited the room to find the latrines, the camera centered on Burghoff’s upper body as he opened a box with both hands.
Gary Burghoff in Malibu, California, in 1977 | Source: Getty Images
Another infamous scene caught Burghoff with both hands on camera. During a regular morning salute, with the loathsome Major Frank Burns leading the ceremony, Radar does his usual morning salute with a bugle. In a hilarious twist, one of the men fires off the ceremonial canon at Burns’ behest.
Gary Burghoff on “M*A*S*H” | Source: 20th Century Fox Television
Naturally, Radar gets the short end of the stick as the cannonball flies directly at him, knocking his instrument clean out of his hands. In the next few seconds, Burghoff turns toward the camera in a pantomime of rage, balling his fists and stomping in outrage. Here, both his hands can be seen for a brief second.
Gary Burghoff on “M*A*S*H” | Source: 20th Century Fox Television
In one of the later episodes, the writers showed off Radar’s softer side when he cuddled his pet guinea pig, Babette.
Gary Burghoff on “M*A*S*H” with his pet guinea pig | Source: 20th Century Fox Television
Naturally, Radar stood with his left hand beneath his right, but just as he started to sing, Father John Mulcahy called for him. Burghoff’s hands were visible again as he put the Babette away.
Gary Burghoff and Jamie Farr in “M*A*S*H,” 1977 | Source: Getty Images
Gary Burghoff and Alan Aldain on “M*A*S*H,” 1976 | Source: Getty Images
One of the scenes where Burghoff openly showed his left hand came as part of another gag the show pulled. At the start of the scene, Radar could be seen walking across a dirt road while two other military personnel walked away from the camera.
Gary Burghoff portrays Corporal Walter ‘Radar’ O’Reilly on the CBS television series, “M*A*S*H,” as seen on May 9, 1972, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
The man on Radar’s right first lifted his hand in salute, followed shortly by one on the left. Radar, the pleasant character he was, lifted his right hand in response to the first salute, as military etiquette dictates.
Caught off guard by the quick second salute, Radar lifted his left hand as well, essentially performing a double salute. Feeling sheepish, he frowned and lowered his hands slowly in one of Gary Burghoff’s classic displays of confusion.
