For many people, the beloved television show MASH remains a cherished part of television history, its characters and stories still resonating with audiences today. One figure who often sparks curiosity, very much so, is Larry Linville, the actor who brought the wonderfully exasperating Major Frank Burns to life. People often wonder about the lives of these actors, particularly what their financial arrangements looked like during their time on such a popular series. It's a natural question, really, when you consider how much of an impact the show had.

You might be asking yourself, just how much compensation did the actors receive for their roles in a show that captured the hearts of millions? It's a question that, in a way, touches upon the broader economics of television production during the 1970s and early 1980s. Understanding what a performer like Larry Linville earned per episode helps us grasp the value placed on their talent and the show's overall success.

This discussion will explore the earnings of Larry Linville during his tenure on MASH, providing some context about actor salaries of that period. We'll delve into the details of his compensation, and perhaps, compare it to some of his castmates, giving you a clearer picture of the financial landscape for the stars of this iconic comedy-drama. It's quite interesting, actually, to see how things were back then.

• Ifc Center West Village
• Dita Von Teese Las Vegas
• Javiers Restaurant Newport Beach Photos
• Chambers Bay Golf Course
• The Clock Coffee Shop

Table of Contents

• Larry Linville: A Look at the Man Behind Frank Burns
  • Biography
  • Personal Details and Bio Data
• The Financial Landscape of 1970s Television
  • TV Production Costs
  • Actor Salaries in the Era
• Unpacking Larry Linville's MASH Earnings
  • Initial Contract
  • Salary Increases Over Time
  • Why He Left and Its Impact on Pay
• Comparing MASH Salaries: A Broader Picture
  • How Much Did Alan Alda Make?
  • The Highest Paid Cast Member
• The Legacy of Frank Burns and Larry Linville's Contribution
  • Character Impact
  • Linville's Lasting Influence
• People Also Ask

Larry Linville: A Look at the Man Behind Frank Burns

Biography

Larry Linville, born in Ojai, California, on September 23, 1939, was an actor whose career spanned various television shows, films, and stage productions. Before his memorable turn as Major Frank Burns on MASH, Linville honed his craft through diverse roles, showing a range that went beyond the often-comical villainy of Burns. He had a solid background in theatre, which is that, a great foundation for any performer. He even appeared in a few films, building a steady presence in Hollywood.

His casting in MASH as Major Frank Burns, the self-important, often clueless, and highly unlikable surgeon, brought him widespread recognition. Linville played the character with a certain commitment, making Burns truly detestable yet, in a way, somewhat pitiable. This portrayal, arguably, helped define the show's early comedic tone, providing a perfect foil for the more cynical and witty characters like Hawkeye Pierce and B.J. Hunnicutt. He was, you know, just perfect for the part.

Linville stayed with MASH for the first five seasons, from 1972 to 1977. During this time, the show grew from a promising new series into a cultural phenomenon. His decision to leave after five years was, as a matter of fact, a significant moment for the program, prompting a shift in its character dynamics and overall direction. It's often said he felt his character had run its course, or that he wanted to explore other opportunities, which is fair enough for an actor.

• Honolulu Board Of Water Supply
• Photos Of Naked Old Ladies
• Kings Of Kobe Wagyu Kitchen Bar
• Ventura County Credit Union
• Xavier Worthy Mom Age

Personal Details and Bio Data

The Financial Landscape of 1970s Television

TV Production Costs

Television production in the 1970s, while different from today's streaming-driven era, still involved significant financial investment. Shows like MASH, a primetime network series, required substantial budgets for everything from sets and costumes to writing, directing, and, of course, actor salaries. Networks, like CBS for MASH, would fund these productions, hoping to recoup their investment through advertising revenue. The success of a show, you see, directly impacted how much advertisers would pay for airtime.

The concept of syndication was also a major factor in the financial health of a TV show. Once a series accumulated enough episodes, typically around 100, it could be sold to local stations for re-runs. This generated a whole new stream of income, often far exceeding the initial network licensing fees. It's why, in a way, many actors and creators sought to have a piece of the syndication pie, as it represented a great quantity of potential long-term earnings.

For a show as popular as MASH, which ran for eleven seasons and produced over 250 episodes, the syndication value was, quite frankly, enormous. This longevity meant continuous revenue for the studio and network for decades, making it one of the most profitable television properties in history. The money involved was, for its time, very substantial indeed.

Actor Salaries in the Era

Actor salaries in the 1970s were, in some respects, structured differently than they are now. While top stars could command impressive fees, the general pay scale for supporting actors, even on hit shows, was not as astronomically high as some of today's figures. Performers would negotiate their pay per episode, and these figures would often increase as a show gained popularity and secured renewals. So, too it's almost, that initial contracts were usually more modest.

Residuals, which are payments actors receive when their work is re-aired, were also a crucial part of an actor's income. These payments could add up to a significant amount over time, especially for a show that remained in constant syndication, like MASH. It meant that even after a show stopped producing new episodes, actors could still receive a steady, albeit declining, income stream. This was, in a way, a very important aspect of their overall compensation.

The industry also saw a growing emphasis on "points" or a percentage of a show's profits, particularly for lead actors and creators. This wasn't as common for supporting cast members early on, but as shows became more lucrative, even some of them might have negotiated for a small share. It was, you know, a time of evolving contract negotiations in Hollywood, with actors seeking a larger piece of the success they helped create.

Unpacking Larry Linville's MASH Earnings

Initial Contract

When Larry Linville first joined MASH in 1972, he was a relatively unknown actor, at least to a broad national audience. His initial contract, like those of many supporting cast members on new series, would have reflected this status. While exact figures from that time are often not publicly disclosed, industry estimates suggest that actors in his position typically earned somewhere in the range of $5,000 to $7,500 per episode for the first season of a network show. This was, in a way, a pretty good starting point for a television actor then.

For a 24-episode season, this would translate to a yearly income of around $120,000 to $180,000. Considering the purchasing power of money in the early 1970s, this was a substantial amount. It provided a comfortable living, certainly, and was a far cry from what many working actors made. So, too it's almost, that even at the beginning, his earnings were a great quantity for the time.

It's important to remember that these figures are gross amounts. Actors, of course, had agents' fees, taxes, and other expenses to consider. Nevertheless, it represented a significant opportunity for Linville to establish himself as a recognizable face in American television. He was, to be honest, doing quite well.

Salary Increases Over Time

As MASH gained immense popularity and became a top-rated show, the salaries of its cast members, including Larry Linville, saw increases. It's a typical pattern in television; as a show proves its worth and generates more revenue for the network, the actors who contribute to that success expect a larger share. This usually happens during contract renegotiations between seasons. You know, it's just how the business works.

By his final season in 1977, it's widely reported that Larry Linville was earning around $15,000 per episode. This represents a significant jump from his initial pay, reflecting his importance to the show's dynamic and its overall success. This was, for the period, a very impressive figure for a supporting actor. It indicates a substantial extent of his value to the production.

Over his five seasons, his total earnings from the show would have amounted to a considerable sum, especially when factoring in residuals from the constant re-runs. While not as high as the lead actors, who often had more leverage, Linville's pay was a testament to the show's financial success and his integral role within the ensemble. He was, in fact, earning a large amount of money for his work.

Why He Left and Its Impact on Pay

Larry Linville's decision to leave MASH after season five was, in some respects, a personal one driven by his desire for different acting challenges. He reportedly felt that the character of Frank Burns had become too one-dimensional, and he wanted to explore roles with more depth and range. This kind of artistic frustration is, you know, quite common among actors who spend many years playing the same part.

His departure, naturally, meant an end to his regular per-episode salary from MASH. While he continued to receive residuals from past episodes, the consistent, high-paying work of a lead supporting role on a hit series ceased. This decision, while perhaps creatively fulfilling, did mean stepping away from a very lucrative position. It's a trade-off many performers face.

Interestingly, the show adapted by bringing in David Ogden Stiers as Major Charles Emerson Winchester III, a character who was also pompous but possessed a different kind of intelligence and sophistication. This change, arguably, allowed MASH to evolve, moving away from some of the broader comedic elements associated with Frank Burns. So, his departure had a ripple effect, changing the show's tone and, in a way, its future direction.

Comparing MASH Salaries: A Broader Picture

How Much Did Alan Alda Make?

When we talk about MASH salaries, the earnings of Alan Alda, who played Hawkeye Pierce, stand out as a significant point of comparison. As the undisputed lead of the series, Alda commanded a much higher salary than his co-stars, which is, you know, pretty standard for the star of a hit show. His pay reflected his central role in the narrative and his considerable popularity with audiences.

By the show's final seasons, it's widely reported that Alan Alda was earning around $200,000 to $225,000 per episode. This was an absolutely massive amount for television at the time, making him one of the highest-paid actors on television. This figure represents a far larger amount of money compared to what Larry Linville or other supporting cast members earned. It truly shows the difference in pay between a show's lead and its supporting players, even on a highly successful program.

Alda's salary also included, in some respects, a share of the show's profits and syndication revenue, further increasing his overall compensation. His long tenure and increasing influence on the show's writing and direction gave him considerable negotiating power. He was, as a matter of fact, a major player in the show's success, and his earnings reflected that.

The Highest Paid Cast Member

Without a doubt, Alan Alda was the highest-paid cast member on MASH. His salary dwarfed that of his fellow actors, a testament to his star power and the integral nature of his character to the show's identity. While actors like Mike Farrell (B.J. Hunnicutt) and Harry Morgan (Colonel Potter) also saw their salaries increase over time, they never reached the same level as Alda's. This is, you know, a common hierarchy in television production.

The core ensemble, including Loretta Swit (Hot Lips Houlihan) and Jamie Farr (Klinger), also earned substantial amounts, especially in the later seasons. However, the gap between the lead and the rest of the cast was, in a way, quite pronounced. So, while Larry Linville earned a great quantity of money for his time on the show, it was nowhere near the peak earnings of the show's central figure. It's just how the business was structured.

The Legacy of Frank Burns and Larry Linville's Contribution

Character Impact

Major Frank Burns, as portrayed by Larry Linville, remains one of the most memorable characters from MASH, despite his relatively short tenure compared to other long-running cast members. His self-righteousness, incompetence, and often petty behavior provided a constant source of conflict and humor, which is that, a great comedic device. He was the perfect antagonist for the irreverent and humane doctors of the 4077th.

Linville's ability to make Burns so consistently annoying yet, in a way, oddly endearing at times, was a testament to his acting skill. The character's departure left a void that was filled by a different kind of foil, but the memory of "Ferret Face" endures. He was, to be honest, a very significant part of the show's early success, setting a tone for much of the humor. You can learn more about MASH on our site.

Linville's Lasting Influence

Larry Linville's performance as Frank Burns secured his place in television history. Even after leaving MASH, he continued to work steadily in television and film, though perhaps never again in a role as iconic. His legacy is tied to that particular character, and for many viewers, he will always be remembered as the pomp