Gary Burghoff’s portrayal of Radar on MASH* won hearts worldwide, but few fans knew about the actor’s personal journey behind the scenes. Born with brachydactyly, which left three fingers on his left hand shorter than usual, Burghoff often kept it out of frame—yet there were moments when it slipped into view.
In an early episode, Radar stands with a football in both hands as helicopters approach. Later, when Colonel Potter arrives, Radar uses both hands to open a box, though the camera angles cleverly downplay it. One of the most memorable reveals happened during a botched bugle ceremony—after Major Burns’ cannon mishap, Radar balls both hands into fists in frustration.
Even in tender moments, like when Radar cradles his pet guinea pig, his left hand briefly appears. And in a hilarious blooper-esque moment, Radar gets flustered during a double salute, raising both hands before catching himself.
Burghoff once joked about being tired of playing the “adorable” small guy, but his dedication to Radar never wavered. His ability to turn what some might see as a limitation into a non-issue speaks volumes about his talent. Decades later, Radar remains one of TV’s most cherished characters—imperfections and all.
