'MASH' writer Larry Gelbart dies at 81

[liberal N proud]

Gelbart also wrote for Broadway and the movies. His credits include 'Caesar's Hour,' 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,' 'Tootsie' and 'Oh, God!' He died at his home in Beverly Hills.


Larry Gelbart, the award-winning comedy writer best known for developing the landmark TV series "MASH," co-writing the book for the hit Broadway musical "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" and co-writing the classic movie comedy "Tootsie," died this morning. He was 81.

Gelbart, who was diagnosed with cancer in June, died at his home in Beverly Hills, said his wife, Pat.

Jack Lemmon once described the genial, quick-witted Gelbart as "one of the greatest writers of comedy to have graced the arts in this century."

Gelbart's more than 60-year career began in radio during World War II when he was a 16-year-old student at Fairfax High School in Los Angeles. He wrote for "Duffy's Tavern" and radio shows starring Eddie Cantor, Joan Davis, Jack Paar, Jack Carson and Bob Hope, with whom he traveled overseas when Hope entertained the troops.

He moved into television with Hope in 1950 and spent the next few years writing for the comedian as well as for Red Buttons' comedy-variety series.

...http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-larry-gelbart12-2009sep12,0,2812430.story

[dixiegrrrrl]

1. oh man. He brought us so much good.

quick witted, funny. Crowning achievement, MASH.

Good Memories.

[NYCGirl]

2. Very sad. One of the funniest people who ever lived. NT

[GreenPartyVoter]

3. :^( I loved M*A*S*H. He was a dramedy genius.

[oldtime dfl_er]

4. RIP

He was a huge talent. And as I get older, I think 81 isn't all *that* old...

[Stinky The Clown]

5. Bio just ran a two hour story about M*A*S*H and Gelbart got lots of the credit for the show.

His stuff is historic in its quality.

He fought the goodest of the good fights.

[Duke Newcombe]

6. "Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen", Mr. Gelbart. n/t