Emmy Award-Winning Actor & Musician; Star of MASH as Radar O'Reilly; ASCAP Award-Winning Songwriter

Live Event: Please Contact Virtual Event: Please Contact More Fee Info

Gary Burghoff Biography

Gary Burghoff is an American actor, musician, painter, and inventor recognized for originating one of television's enduring characters. Burghoff began his career on stage, originating the role of Charlie Brown in the Off-Broadway musical "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown." He made his feature film debut in Robert Altman's "MAS*H" and was the only actor from the original film to continue as a regular in the television series. His character, Corporal Walter Radar O'Reilly, served as the company clerk—a Midwestern youth with an uncanny ability to anticipate needs and sense incoming helicopters.

The television series "MAS*H" became a cultural phenomenon, with Burghoff's performance recognized as central to its success. He collaborated with creative executive Larry Gelbart to further develop Radar for the series, incorporating traits such as youthful naiveté, a background on a family farm, and a love of wildlife. Burghoff appeared in seven seasons and earned six Emmy nominations for the role, ultimately winning the Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. The teddy bear carried by Radar O'Reilly is now housed at the Smithsonian Institution, reflecting the character's lasting cultural impact.

Burghoff left "MASH" after the seventh season due to burnout and a desire to spend more time with his family, but returned to film a special two-part farewell episode, "Goodbye Radar." He portrayed Radar O'Reilly in four different "MASH" productions: the feature film, the television series, a guest appearance on "AfterMASH," and the television pilot "WALTE*R." Burghoff was also a regular on the television game show "Match Game" for 204 episodes and continued to make recurring appearances.

Beyond acting, Burghoff has written more than 100 songs and is a three-time recipient of the ASCAP Award for Excellence. He created the All-Star Dixieland Jazz Band, which recorded the album "Just For Fun" and toured jazz clubs across the United States. As a professional painter, Burghoff focuses on wildlife subjects and has exhibited his work in galleries nationwide, donating several pieces to wildlife preservation society auctions. His passion for wildlife is reflected in his work with the Animal Rehabilitation Clinic in Southern California, where he cared for various species of birds and animals.

As an inventor, Burghoff holds U.S. patents for "Chum Magic," a fishing tackle invention, as well as a toilet seat lifting handle and a new type of fishing pole. His career spans stage, screen, music, visual art, and invention, demonstrating a broad creative range. Burghoff's portrayal of Radar O'Reilly in "MAS*H" continues to influence television acting and pop culture.

BOOK Gary Burghoff

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 06/09/2026.

Gary Burghoff Videos

At 81, Gary Burghoff Sheds New Light On Why He Left MASH

At 81, Gary Burghoff Sheds New Light On Why He Left MASH

Gary Burghoff. With his kind-hearted innocence and charisma Radar became the emotional core of the 4077th unit. For years rumors flew ...

Dean Martin & Gary Burghoff: Hank & Charlie

Dean Martin & Gary Burghoff: Hank & Charlie

Description

M*A*S*H Memories: "Radar" O'Reilly

M*A*S*H Memories: "Radar" O'Reilly

  • How do I book Gary Burghoff to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Gary Burghoff for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Gary Burghoff, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Gary Burghoff or any other speaker of your choice.
  • What are the speaker fees for Gary Burghoff

    Speaking fees for Gary Burghoff, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Gary Burghoff are available upon request for live events and available upon request for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Gary Burghoff, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Gary Burghoff speak about?

    Gary Burghoff is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Actor, Animals & Wildlife, Host & Emcee, Music
  • Where does Gary Burghoff travel from?

    Gary Burghoff generally travels from an undisclosed location, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
  • Who is Gary Burghoff’s agent?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Gary Burghoff for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Gary Burghoff for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Gary Burghoff or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best, unbiased speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.

Gary Burghoff is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics. The estimated speaking fee range to book Gary Burghoff for your event is available upon request. Gary Burghoff generally travels from and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Stu Nudelman, Richard Hammond, Dee Snider, Mike E. Winfield and Anderson Davis. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Gary Burghoff for an upcoming live or virtual event.

Tell us about your event!

During normal business hours, we respond to most inquiries within 4 hours.
Please Select Event Budget
Please enter your message
Please Enter Your Name
Please Enter Your Email
  • Customized Service

    Our agents find the right fit for your event

  • Unparalleled Database

    Full access to all speakers & celebrities

  • One Stop Shopping

    A reliable and unbiased point of contact

  • Logistics Management

    Your personal Logistics Manager who takes care of all event details

This website is a resource for event professionals and strives to provide the most comprehensive catalog of thought leaders and industry experts to consider for speaking engagements. A listing or profile on this website does not imply an agency affiliation or endorsement by the talent.

All American Entertainment (AAE) exclusively represents the interests of talent buyers, and does not claim to be the agency or management for any speaker or artist on this site. AAE is a talent booking agency for paid events only. We do not handle requests for donation of time or media requests for interviews, and cannot provide celebrity contact information.

If you are the talent and wish to request a profile update or removal from our online directory, please submit a profile request form.

TOP