McLean Stevenson didn't just play a character; for millions of people, he was the heart of early MASH*. When Henry Blake’s plane went down in the Sea of Japan during that gut-wrenching 1975 finale, it changed television history. People actually called the network crying. But off-screen, the reality of the McLean Stevenson cause of death was far less cinematic and much more sudden.
He died. It was 1996. He was only 66 years old.
Honestly, the timing was eerie. There is a strange, almost unbelievable coincidence involving his death and another MASH* actor that still creeps fans out today. But before we get into the weird stuff, we need to look at the clinical facts.
The Day Everything Stopped
On February 15, 1996, Stevenson was at the Encino-Tarzana Regional Medical Center in Los Angeles. He wasn't there for a check-up. He was actually recovering from surgery.
Earlier that week, he had undergone a procedure to treat bladder cancer. By all accounts, the surgery itself was a success. He was in the recovery phase, the part where you start thinking about going home and getting back to normal life. Then, without warning, everything shifted.
A sudden, massive heart attack struck.
The medical staff couldn't bring him back. Just like that, the man who brought so much levity to a show about a bloody war was gone. It’s one of those reminders that "successful surgery" doesn't always mean a safe exit from the hospital. The McLean Stevenson cause of death was officially ruled a heart attack, but the context—recovering from cancer surgery—makes it a bit more complex.
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Surgery, especially as we get older, puts an incredible amount of stress on the cardiovascular system.
The Coincidence That Defies Logic
You can't talk about McLean’s passing without mentioning Roger Bowen.
Who is Roger Bowen? He played the exact same character—Lt. Col. Henry Blake—in the original 1970 MASH* movie.
Get this: Roger Bowen died of a heart attack on February 16, 1996. That is literally one day after McLean Stevenson died.
Two actors. One iconic role. Same cause of death. Twenty-four hours apart.
If you wrote that in a screenplay, an editor would throw it out for being too "on the nose." It’s basically a glitch in the universe. Most people don't even realize this happened because McLean was the face everyone associated with the character from the TV show, but for the MASH* community, that week in February was a total gut punch.
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Why the Surgery Matters
Bladder cancer is a tough one. Stevenson had been dealing with it, and while the surgery was meant to be the "fix," the physical toll of anesthesia and invasive procedures on a 66-year-old heart is significant.
Medical experts often point out that post-operative heart attacks aren't as rare as we’d like to think. When the body is healing, it’s in a state of high inflammation. Your blood can clot more easily. Your heart rate can fluctuate.
He was in the right place—a hospital—but sometimes the "widow-maker" doesn't care where you are.
A Career of "What Ifs"
McLean famously left MASH* because he wanted to be the star. He was tired of being part of an ensemble where Alan Alda got the best lines. He told the producers he wanted to be "number one."
It didn't quite work out.
- The McLean Stevenson Show (1976) – Cancelled.
- In the Beginning (1978) – Cancelled.
- Hello, Larry (1979) – Often cited as one of the worst sitcoms in history.
- Condo (1983) – Cancelled.
He was self-aware about it, though. He later admitted that leaving the show was a mistake. He famously said that the public loved Henry Blake, but they weren't necessarily in love with McLean Stevenson. That’s a heavy thing to carry. By the time he passed away, he had mostly moved into guest spots and game shows, but his legacy was firmly cemented in those first three seasons of MASH*.
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The Legacy Left Behind
When we look back at the McLean Stevenson cause of death, it’s easy to get lost in the "how" and "why." But the real story is what he left behind. He was a cousin of Adlai Stevenson II (the politician) and came from a background of high expectations.
He brought a specific kind of Midwestern, bumbling-yet-lovable energy to the screen that nobody has ever quite replicated.
His death at 66 was early. Today, 66 is practically middle age in Hollywood. If he had survived that heart attack, he’d likely have spent the early 2000s doing the prestige TV rounds or being the beloved grandfather in a hit sitcom.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Historians
If you’re looking to dive deeper into Stevenson’s life or pay respects, here is what you should do:
- Watch "Abyssinia, Henry": This is the final episode of Season 3 of MASH*. It is the most important episode he ever filmed and changed how TV deaths were handled forever.
- Visit Forest Lawn: If you find yourself in Los Angeles, he is interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills). It’s a peaceful place where many legends rest.
- Check the Credits: Look for his writing credits. Most people don't know he was a writer for The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. He was a brilliant comedic mind, not just a "bumbling" actor.
The reality of his passing is a somber mix of medical misfortune and a really weird cosmic coincidence. He wasn't just a guy who died of a heart attack; he was a guy who left at the top of his game, tried to reach for the stars, and ultimately remained one of the most beloved figures in television history.