Producer and filmmaker Burt Metcalfe, who was best known for running the CBS hit comedy series ‘M*A*S*H’ for 11 seasons, died on Wednesday, July 27. He was 87. The news of his demise was shared by his actress wife Jan Jorden. Metcalfe died of natural causes.
The news of Burt Metcalfe’s death comes weeks after 'Goodfellas' actor Ray Liotta died at the age of 67 in May 2022. Actor Tony Sirico, who also played a gangster in ‘The Sopranos’ died in July at the age of 79.
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Who is Burt Metcalfe's wife?
Burt Metcalfe, whose real name was Burton Denis Metcalfe, was born in March 1935, in Canada. He moved to Los Angeles in 1949 and studied theater at UCLA for four years, graduating in 1955. The skilled personality made his onscreen acting debut with Mark Robson’s ‘The Bridges of Toko Ri’ (1954) and served U.S. Navy in 1956-57. Burt Metcalfe acted in ‘Gidget’ in 1959, and appeared on the first season of ‘The Twilight Zone’. He also starred on the 1961-62 CBS sitcom ‘Father of the Bride’ before going behind the camera full-time.
The renowned producer was first married to Toby H Richman from 1961 to 1968. He then walked down the aisle with actress Jan Jorden in 1979. Jan is best known for portraying the role of Nurse Baker in nine episodes of ‘‘M*A*S*H’ from seasons six to 11. Jan, whose real name is Janice Hope Jorden, is also known for her work on ‘MacGyver’ (1985) and ‘Days of Our Lives’ (1965). She was married to Burt for 43 years.
Speaking of Burt Metcalfe, he was nominated for Emmy for 13 times but sadly, could not win once. He served as a producer on all but five seasons of ‘M*A*S*H’ and then its showrunner for its last six seasons. He also helmed 31 installments of the acclaimed CBS comedy. He had also penned three of them and acted in one.
‘It’s a body blow to the MASH Family’
Social media users paid their tributes to the renowned Hollywood personality. “RIP Burt. It’s always painful when another branch falls from the family tree. It’s a body blow to the MASH Family”, said one user as another posted, “#RIP Burt Metcalfe; as one of the unsung heroes of 'M*A*S*H,' the 'Gidget' and 'Twilight Zone' actor worked on all 11 seasons of the acclaimed series as a producer, director & writer. Everybody just had a pride in what they were doing, he said.”
The next one added, “RIP Burt Metcalfe….an intregal part of MASH. I Always enjoyed seeing my last name on the screen during my youth watching MASH”, as another tweeted, “Saddened to hear about the passing of Burt Metcalfe, one of M*A*S*H's guiding lights throughout most its 11-year run. RIP. #burtmetcalfe” One shared, “Burt Metcalfe was but one reason M*A*S*H resonated and still resonates with many people including myself. Sad to hear about his passing.” And, one concluded, “#RIPBurtMetcalfe Thank you for helping to give us 11 seasons of comedy/drama gold! I still watch this show every single day.”
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