M*A*S*H star William Christopher – beloved as Father Mulcahy on the long-running television show – has died at age 84.
What was his cause of death?
According to CNN, “William Christopher had a small carcinoma, says his son John Christopher, and had been diagnosed about 18 months ago.” The network reported that Christopher’s son says his health went downhill in the past two to three weeks. He died at home, CNN reported. TMZ reported that Christopher had “non-lung, small cell carcinoma. He leaves behind a wife and 2 kids.”
The M*A*S*H cast members pose during a reunion March 6, 2000 in Los Angeles. The cast, from left, Allan Arbus, Harry Morgan, Mike Farrell, Alan Alda, Wayne Rogers, William Christopher and Jamie Farr were on hand to participate in the William S. Paley Television Festival. (Getty)
NBC News reported that Christopher died in his bed with his wife, Barbara, nearby. They were married almost 60 years. He had been responding well to chemotherapy treatments until recently, reported The Los Angeles Times.
On Twitter, fans cursed 2016 for taking another bright light in Hollywood. One last kick in the teeth, wrote one fan. It’s been a tough year for celebrity deaths – we’ve lost everyone from Prince to Carrie Fisher – and people were quick to note that Christopher was the final celebrity loss of 2016.
One last kick in the teeth from 2016. William Christopher has died.
Godspeed, Fr. Mulcahy.
“A faith of… t.co/OW81yQnZnW
People Magazine reported: “According to his rep, Christopher died at 5:10 a.m. PT on Saturday morning with his wife nearby.”
TMZ reported of Christopher’s star turn on television that the star “played a Catholic priest but was actually Methodist in real life.” On M*A*S*H, Christopher’s character was an Army chaplain.
According to People Magazine, he had other television appearances, ranging from Hogan’s Heroes to Gomer Pyle: USMC and The Love Boat. “He most recently portayed Father Tobais in a 11-episode guest stint on Days of Our Lives in 2012,” reported People.