In 1983, Morgan spoke at a press conference about ending a series so beloved that the last show drew a record 125 million viewers. He said someone had asked him if he thought M*A*S*H had made him a better actor.
“And I said I didn’t know about that, but I know it’s made me a better human being and there aren’t many shows you can say that about,” he said.
A great actor. Memory eternal.
Amen. His character brought something very special to the later seasons of MASH.
Where the character of Frank Burns thought of himself as regular army, it was Sherman Potter who demonstrated the calm common sense that is the hallmark of the military professional.
I enjoyed his portrayal of Col. Potter. I watched MASH while on active duty at Ft. Knox. All of the officers I knew. loved it. All of us knew at least one Maj. Burns.
In my Army service over 32 years, 8 of which was in command of Army hospitals, I aspired to be like the character of COL Potter; an occasionally irascible, but always decisive, decent and unfailingly humane servant leader who demanded much of himself and those he led but who never lost sight of the purpose for which he had been born, trained, and selected to command: to save lives, to ease pain, and to comfort those of God’s children that had been placed in his care. There were more than a few situations in which I asked myself: “What would Sherman Potter do?” I know he was just a character in a sitcom, played by a skilled actor, but he was there for me in some dark days. May he, and Harry Morgan, rest in peace.
But who rembers him in December Bride?
🙂
Jim K, what a wonderful tribute!
Blessings on Jim K. Many don’t understand that leadership burden of being “lonely at the top”. I’m glad Sherman Potter, and others, were there for you. 🙂 May he rest in peace and sing with the angels. Prayers also for his family…