William Christopher

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William Christopher (born October 20, 1932 in Evanston , Illinois , † December 31, 2016 in Pasadena , California ) was an American actor .

He became internationally known through the role as Father Francis John Patrick Mulcahy in the American television series M * A * S * H .

Life

Childhood and youth

William Christopher was born in Evanston. He spent his childhood in a suburb of Chicago, where he also spent the war years. After attending New Trier High School, he graduated from Wesleyan University in 1954 , where he studied dramaturgy . He worked here not only as an actor, but also in the fields of fencing, football and singing. In 1957 he married Barbara O'Conner, whom he had met on a blind date.

Acting career

After graduating, Christopher worked as an actor from 1966 on in numerous cinema and TV films in supporting roles, for example in the series A Cage Full of Heroes .

From 1972, Christopher played the role of Father Francis John Patrick Mulcahy in the television series M * A * S * H , a naive and somewhat insecure but helpful cleric who was assigned to the hospital of the same name during the Korean War . Since Mulcahy was actually planned as a supporting character, Christopher only got a permanent contract at the beginning of the 5th season. However, he was initially unable to perceive it because he was seriously ill with hepatitis . At this point he had long since established himself as the main character and was extremely popular with the audience. He remained one of the audience favorites until the end of the series.

After the end of the series in 1983, Christopher played again the role of Father Mulcahy in the less successful sequel After MASH and took on several, mostly smaller roles. He also performed the play The Odd Couple on stage with Jamie Farr , who played Klinger in M * A * S * H , until the mid-1990s .

After acting and doing charity work

Christopher continued to withdraw from acting in order to better take care of his autistic son, who always had to be looked after.

William Christopher was an honorary vice chairman of the Autism Society of America and an active member of the Devereux Foundation , which helps people with disabilities.

He left behind his wife Barbara O'Conner and two sons.

Filmography (selection)

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Reports: Actor William Christopher of M * A * S * H ​​* dies at 84 . Fox8 (Cleveland) , December 31, 2016, accessed January 1, 2017.
personal data
SURNAME Christopher, William
BRIEF DESCRIPTION US-American actor
DATE OF BIRTH October 20, 1932
PLACE OF BIRTH Evanston , Illinois , United States
DATE OF DEATH December 31, 2016
Place of death Pasadena , California , United States