Gary Burghoff, beloved for his role as Radar on MASH*, stepped away from Hollywood to save his family life. The Emmy-winning actor, now 82, recently became a grandfather when his son Miles “Sonar” Burghoff welcomed a baby girl, Rylee Elisabeth.
Miles, a professional angler, says his nickname comes from his father’s famous character. Burghoff has three children from two marriages, both of which ended in divorce.
When he left MASH*, it wasn’t for money or fame. “You either want to be rich and famous, or you want to be a daddy,” he once said. Turning down big TV offers, he chose regional theater so he could be more present with his family, though the work didn’t compare to his iconic role.
Years later, nearly bankrupt, Burghoff reinvented himself as a wildlife painter, selling his pieces for up to $25,000. Fans still admire him today—not only for the laughter he brought to screens, but for choosing family over fame.