William Christopher, R.I.P.

Actor William Christopher, best known for playing Father Mulcahy on M*A*S*H, passed away on the morning of December 31st of lung cancer. He was 84.

Prior to M*A*S*H, Christopher was best known for playing Private Lester Hummel, a recurring character in Gomer Pyle: U.S.M.C. He also appeared on shows like The Patty Duke Show, The Andy Griffith Show and Hogan's Heroes. 

Christopher was not the original Father Mulcahy. That distinction belonged to George Morgan who only lasted the pilot episode. Christopher made his first appearance as Mulcahy in the series' third episode "Requiem for a Lightweight". That was the episode where Trapper John went into the boxing ring. It is worth noting that Christopher's death comes a year to the day of Wayne Rogers who played Trapper John in the show's first three seasons.

It would not be until the fifth season where Christopher would be elevated to a full cast member and he would remain with the show until its conclusion in 1983. He would reprise the role in the short-lived AfterMASH along with Harry Morgan and Jamie Farr who played Colonel Potter and Corporal (later Sergeant) Max Klinger, respectively.

Following the cancellation of AfterMASH, Christopher acted sporadically appearing in episodes of Murder, She Wrote, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman & Mad About You. His last acting credit came in 2012 when he appeared on a few episodes of the NBC soap Days of Our Lives playing (what else?) a priest.

One of Christopher's adopted sons Ned was diagnosed with autism. In an 1989 People Magazine article, Christopher spoke about the struggles he and his wife Barbara had in raising an autistic child.

Here is a short video of William Christopher taken earlier in 2016 speaking of how important chaplains are in both the civilian and military health care systems.

Goodbye, Farewell & Amen, Padre. R.I.P.