For 11 seasons, millions of Americans invited the doctors, nurses and soldiers of MASH* into their living rooms.

The series began in 1972 and somehow managed to make audiences laugh while telling stories set against the pain and uncertainty of the Korean War.

And then came the goodbye.

When MASH* aired its legendary finale in 1983, an enormous television audience tuned in to say farewell.

But what happened to the familiar faces after the cameras stopped rolling?

Alan Alda, forever remembered as Hawkeye Pierce, continued acting, writing and directing. He later appeared in acclaimed projects including The West Wing, The Aviator and Marriage Story, while remaining closely associated with the character that made him a television icon.

Loretta Swit, who played the unforgettable Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan, remained active in acting and later devoted considerable attention to animal-welfare causes.

Jamie Farr, beloved as Corporal Klinger, became another enduring symbol of the series. His outrageous attempts to escape Army life provided some of the show’s biggest laughs, but Klinger eventually developed into one of its most surprisingly heartfelt characters.

Mike Farrell, who joined the show as B.J. Hunnicutt, continued acting while also becoming known for his activism and humanitarian work.

Sadly, several members of the beloved cast are no longer with us.

Harry Morgan, who played Colonel Potter, died in 2011 at 96. William Christopher, remembered as Father Mulcahy, died in 2016. David Ogden Stiers, the brilliant Major Charles Winchester, died in 2018.

And in 2022, fans said goodbye to Larry Linville, no—Linville had died much earlier, in 2000, at only 60. His pompous and frequently hilarious Frank Burns remains one of television’s most memorable characters.

More than four decades after MASH* ended, something remarkable remains.

People don’t simply remember the episodes.

They remember Hawkeye’s grin, Klinger walking through camp in another outrageous outfit, Colonel Potter’s wisdom, Margaret’s fire, B.J.’s friendship and Radar quietly appearing with exactly what his commanding officer needed.

For the generation that watched them every week, they weren’t merely television characters.

They became old friends.

And every time that familiar theme begins playing, for a moment, it can feel like 4077th is still there waiting for us.