Larry Gelbart Dead: 'MAS*H' Writer Dies from Cancer

by Tina Kells | September 11, 2009 at 04:22 pm

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Larry Gelbert, one of the brilliant minds behind the success of M*A*S*H, is dead at the age of 81. Gelbert died from cancer in his Hollywood home on September 11, 2009. Gelbert began his writing career at the age of 16 on the Danny Thomas radio show and also wrote for iconic funny man Bob Hope.

Larry Gelbert worked with some of Hollywood's comedy royalty including Sid Caesar, George Burns, Neil Simon, Mel Brooks, Woody Allen and Carl Reiner. He also worked with some of the world's most beautiful women; Demi Moore, Elizabeth Hurley and Brooke Shields. However, Larry Gelbert's biggest claims to fame were as a creator of the classic TV show M*A*S*H, and as the scriptwriter for Tootsie and Oh God!

Throughout his career, Gelbart developed a portfolio of more than 40 works spanning radio, television, theater and film. His fascination with radio as a child inspired him and influenced his evolving career.

"I never had any aspirations of [a] literary career, but writing for radio seemed to be a natural extension of being such a radio fan," Gelbart told CNN in 1999. "So when I got my chance, that's what I did."