In 2023, fans of classic television are still curious about the net worth and salary of the late McLean Stevenson. In 1996. He passed away, leaving an indelible mark on the entertainment industry through his memorable performances.
In this blog, Wcnetworth will discuss McLean Stevenson net worth, early life, career and personal life.
What is Mclean Stevenson’s Net Worth and Salary 2023
Mclean Stevenson was an actor and comedian from the United States. He is best known for playing Lieutenant Colonel Henry Blake on the TV show M*A*S*H. Stevenson had a long and successful 3-decade career in the entertainment industry.
McLean Stevenson’s net worth was estimated to be around $6 million at his death in February 1996. His profits were mostly from his acting career, including a MASH role that paid him more than $100,000 each episode.
Mclean Stevenson Overview
Early life
Stevenson was born in Normal, Illinois on November 14, 1927. He was the great-grandson of William Stevenson (brother of US Vice President Adlai E. Stevenson), making him Adlai E. Stevenson II’s second cousin once removed.
He was also Ann Whitney’s younger brother. Edgar, his father, was a cardiologist. Their middle name, McLean, was inspired by Stevenson’s paternal grandmother, Lottie McLean.
Stevenson went to Lake Forest Academy and Bloomington High School. After high school, he joined the United States Navy and served as a hospital corpsman from January 1946 to November 1947.
Following his service, he attended Northwestern University and finished with a bachelor’s degree in theater arts as a Phi Gamma Delta fraternity brother.
Career
McLean Stevenson was a skilled American actor and comedian who started his show business journey when he was 31 years old. He became famous for playing Lieutenant Colonel Henry Blake in the popular TV show MAS*H, and he even won a special award called the Golden Globe in 1974 for his great performance.
But before becoming famous, Stevenson did different jobs. He worked as an insurance seller, a coach, and even helped his cousin Adlai Stevenson with his political campaign. Adlai Stevenson was a governor of Illinois and also ran for president as a Democrat.
He eventually found his way into acting, working in night clubs, comedy cabarets, summer stock theater, and television before moving to Hollywood. There, he worked as a comedy writer for Tom Smothers and began acting in sketches.
Stevenson’s portrayal of Lt. Colonel Henry Blake in M*A*S*H brought him widespread recognition and acclaim. However, after leaving the show in 1975, his acting career took a downturn.
Even though he sometimes appeared as a temporary host on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, Stevenson acted in a few TV shows that didn’t do well. These shows were called The McLean Stevenson Show (1976-77), In the Beginning (1978), Hello, Larry (1979-80), and Condo (1983).
These shows were poorly received by both audiences and critics, with some even suggesting that Stevenson had worn out his television welcome.
Even though Stevenson faced challenges in his career, he never lost his love for acting and continued to pursue it. He realized that leaving MAS*H was a major error in judgment, as he had difficulty finding roles that matched the quality of the famous show.
Sadly, on February 15, 1996, Stevenson died at the age of 66 while he was recovering from surgery for bladder cancer.
He had a sudden heart attack at the Encino-Tarzana Regional Medical Center and was cremated. His ashes were laid to rest at the Forest Lawn – Hollywood Hills Cemetery in Los Angeles.
Throughout his lifetime, McLean Stevenson made a significant impact on the entertainment industry. Despite the ups and downs of his career, he remained dedicated to his craft and left a lasting impression on audiences worldwide.
His role as Lt. Colonel Henry Blake in M*A*S*H will forever be remembered as one of the most iconic characters in television history.
Personal life
McLean Stevenson was married three times. His first marriage lasted from 1957 to 1960 to Polly Ann Gordon. In May 1969, he married Louise Herbet. Their marriage, however, also failed, and the pair divorced in 1971. Jeff MacGregor, the couple’s son, was born.
He married Ginny Fosdick in December 1980, and they were together until his death in February 1996. Lindsey Stevenson is the couple’s daughter.
McLean Stevenson died on February 15, 1996, in Los Angeles, California, at 68. He was recovering from surgery at Encino-Tarzana Regional Medical Center when he became cardiac arrest.
Why is McLean Stevenson famous?
McLean Stevenson became famous as Lieutenant Colonel Henry Blake on the TV show MAS*H. Even though he left the show too soon, the character he played, who was friendly and easy to talk to, made a lasting impact on viewers.
His horrible death still stands out as a key moment in the history of television. Stevenson also had fans and fellow actors because he was passionate about his work and could add humor to his acts.
FAQs about McLean Stevenson
Why did McLean Stevenson leave MASH?
McLean Stevenson was dissatisfied with his shrinking role.
Stevenson was aware that leaving the show might be a mistake, but he decided to seek other endeavors. As a result, he was written off in the Season 3 finale with a dramatic death.
Why did Henry leave MASH?
Despite MASH’s success, Stevenson’s decision to leave the program was apparently his own, as he disliked playing a supporting role to Alan Alda’s wisecracking Captain Hawkeye Pierce, who was obviously becoming the show’s major star.
Why was MASH canceled?
The weekly topical satire, which aired on BBC Two from 2017 to 2020, was initially cancelled by the BBC after four seasons due to low ratings.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, Mclean Stevenson was a beloved actor and comedian who left behind an incredible legacy. His long and successful career in the entertainment world earned him an impressive net worth of $6 million. Even though he’s gone, his legacy lives on through his iconic role on M*A*S*H. Thank you for reading!
