M.A.S.H. star Wayne Rogers dies at 82

Wayne Rogers, best known as Trapper John McIntyre from the comedy smash M.A.S.H. has died

The actor was surrounded by family when he died on Thursday in Los Angeles following complications from pneumonia, according to his publicist.

He was 82.

Rogers is best known for playing a US Army surgeon on the Korean War comedy show M.A.S.H. where he starred opposite Dr Hawkeye Pierce, played by Alan Alda. The pair were known for their wisecracks, tent martini drinking and pursing nurses.

One particular plot line involves Captain Pierce returning to the unit only to find his drinking buddy had been shipped home without the chance to say goodbye – sparking a hilarious chain of events that ends in a stolen jeep and Pierce meeting Trapper’s replacement.

It was rumoured Rogers left the show because he was sick of Alda getting the best lines.

Rogers was on the show for just the first three of its 11 seasons on CBS, but he became a cult favourite.

Following M.A.S.H. he played a host of roles, including a 1990s stint on Murder, She Wrote.

Later Rogers turned his hand to investing and was a regular on the Fox News finance show Cashin’ In.

He is survived by his wife Amy, two children and four grandchildren.