Gary Burghoff Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What is Gary Burghoff’s Net Worth and Salary?

Gary Burghoff, an American actor, has accumulated a net worth estimated at $6 million. He is widely recognized for his portrayal of Charlie Brown in the Broadway musical “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.” Additionally, he is celebrated for his iconic role as Radar in the film “MASH,” a character he continued to embody in the television adaptation of the same name. Beyond these significant roles, Gary was a familiar presence on the game show “Match Game,” where he participated in over 140 episodes between 1974 and 1975.

Early Life

Born on May 24th, 1943, in Bristol, Connecticut, Gary Rich Burghoff spent his early years in Clinton, Connecticut, before moving to Delavan, Wisconsin. A naturally talented artist, Gary engaged in tap dancing and drumming. He also worked with the Belfry Players in Williams Bay, Wisconsin, where he began to cultivate his acting abilities. Subsequently, he pursued professional acting training at HB Studio located in New York City.

Career

Gary embarked on his acting career on stage in 1967, taking the role of Charlie Brown in the Off-Broadway production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.” Following a moderately successful stint as a drummer in the music scene, Burghoff landed a role in the 1970 film “MASH.” Notably, he was the sole actor to recreate his original character in the subsequent spin-off series, which has become one of television’s most renowned productions. Gary received six Emmy Award nominations for his performance as Radar and won an Emmy in 1977.

After departing “MASH” in 1979, Burghoff transitioned to various game shows, including “Match Game,” “Liar’s Club,” and “Showoffs.” He also featured in films such as “B.S. I Love You” and “Daniel’s Lot.” During this phase, he made guest appearances on shows like “The Love Boat” and “Ellery Queen.”

Medical Issues

Gary was born with a condition known as brachydactyly, stemming from Poland syndrome, causing three of his fingers to be notably smaller than the others. This condition enhances the significance of his accomplishments as a drummer.

Other Ventures

Beyond acting, Gary has a deep passion for music and the arts. He once worked professionally as a jazz drummer, showcasing his talents across several episodes of “MASH.” Burghoff is also an avid wildlife painter.

In addition to his artistic pursuits, Burghoff is an inventor. His inventions include a unique fishing tackle device called “Chum Magic,” designed to attract fish to boats, and he holds two patents for this product. He also created a distinctive toilet seat handle and an innovative fishing pole. Furthermore, Gary is a philatelist, enjoying the study of stamps.

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Brand Endorsements

Over the years, Burghoff has enhanced his career through various brand endorsements, featuring in advertisements for BP gasoline, IMB computers, and PriceRadar.com.

M*A*S*H Salary

Ultimately, Gary Burghoff exited M*A*S*H in 1979 after experiencing complete burnout. He expressed that he “couldn’t function anymore” and felt that he had “lost his vitality.” Despite Warner Bros.’ desire to retain him on the show,They presented him with a contract worth $4 million to entice him. It’s important to note that in 1979, $4 million was a significant sum – approximately $15 million in today’s terms.

He turned down the offer. Additionally, even if he had accepted the contract, he still wouldn’t have ranked as the show’s highest-paid star. That title belonged to Alan Alda, who made $5.6 million per season for his role as Hawkeye and contributed writing for the series. Moreover, Carroll O’Connor would have received a higher salary, earning $4.8 million per season for his performance in “Archie Bunker’s Place.”

Relationships

Gary’s initial spouse was Janey Gayle, whom he wed in 1971. Together, they had a child in 1975 and finalized their divorce in 1979. Burghoff subsequently married Elisabeth Bostrom. The pair welcomed two additional children before their divorce in 2005.