Stevenson, Macklin

Stephenson was born in Normal, Illinois . He is the brother of actress Ann Whitney ^[7] . His father, Edgar, was a cardiologist .

Stephenson studied at the Forest Lake Academy ( eng. Lake Forest Academy ), and after graduation, he served in the US Navy . After the service, he graduated from Northwestern University , where he received a bachelor 's degree in theater arts.
Subsequently, he worked at a radio station, played a clown at a TV show in Dallas , was an assistant sports director at Northwestern , and also sold medicine and insurance. He worked as a press secretary for his cousin in the presidential elections of 1952 and 1956.

In 1961, cousin Stevenson advised him to build a career in show business. He auditioned and received a scholarship to the American Academy of Music and Drama. He made his debut in the career of "musician" in 1962. Then he appeared in stage and television in New York ^[8] . He also performed on Broadway . However, he set about creating himself and as a comedic writer . Also, in 1970 he was a frequenter of “ Tim Conway Comedy Hour ” ( English The Tim Conway Comedy Hour ) - a CBS variety show. During this period, he also appeared in television commercials.

M * A * S * H

He initially auditioned for the role of Hawk Pierce in M * A * S * H , but was convinced to play instead Lieutenant Colonel Henry Blake. This role led him to glory. In the end, he wrote the episode "The Trial of Henry Blake," and provided the plot for another episode, "Army-Navy Game," which earned Stevenson an Emmy nomination .

Stephenson gained his greatest success in M * A * S * H. The series quickly became one of the most popular comedies of situations - and, as a result, was recognized as one of the best sitcoms in the history of television. Despite the success of the show, Stevenson began to tire (as Wayne Rogers did) to play second fiddle as a wit with Falcon's eye (played by Alan Alda ), and asked to release him from the contract during the third season show. The writers of the show reluctantly described his “departure” in the final episode of the 1974–75 season, in which Lieutenant Colonel Blake was fired and left on an airplane that was shot down over the Sea of ​​Japan ^[9] .

In an interview with his partner on M * A * S * H, Loretta Sweet noted that Stephenson wanted to be number one and felt clutched, "one of eight." Sweet says that before Stephenson left the series, he told her:

“I know that I will not be anywhere as good as in this show, but I have to leave - and be number one” ^[10] .

He stated that the main reason for his departure was the systematic problems with the 20th Century Fox , especially the devil-may-care attitude to the simple amenities for the actors and the film crew in place ^[11] , and the more lucrative opportunities that opened to him at that time ^[12] .

Stevenson in the series later replaced Harry Morgan , the show's favorite and friend of Stevenson, who starred in one episode during the last year of Stevenson, and who played the role of Colonel Sherman Potter in the remainder of the series of eight seasons, and was filmed in his short - length spin-off AfterMASH ^{[ 13]} .

Late career

After leaving M * A * S * H , Stevenson's acting career declined. He starred in a series of sitcoms, none of which lasted more than approximately one season.

The decline in Stevenson’s dramatic career has led him to become a target for jokes. Stephenson commented in 1990 that part of the criticism was justified, since leaving them M * A * S * H ​​was the biggest mistake in his career ^[9] .

“I made the mistake of believing that people were inspired by McLean Stevenson, whereas, in fact, they were fascinated by Henry Blake,”

- said Stephenson ^[9] . He also admitted that his problem was “to find something in the caliber M * A * S * H”, saying:

“I was never able to work with a band ... I did some horrible shows. But no one forced me to do this. I did everything according to my will ” ^[14] .

Stephenson was recovering from bladder cancer surgery at the Encino-Tarzana Regional Medical Center , a district medical center, when he suffered a fatal heart attack on February 15, 1996 and died ^{[15] [16]}

Stephenson was buried in the Hollywood Hills Cemetery ( Eng. Forest Lawn - Hollywood Hills Cemetery ) in Los Angeles. He left the widow Ginny, daughter Lindsey, daughter Jennifer and son Jeff McGregor (both from previous marriages). ^[sixteen]

Stephenson died one day before Roger Bowen , who played Lieutenant Colonel Henry Blake in the 1970 film Mash .

Movies

Television

• McLean Stevenson (Eng.) On the Internet Movie Database
• Stephenson, Macklin (Eng.) On the site Find a Grave
• star 'Mash' Macklin Stevenson dies at CNN.com