Biography
Henry Blake on the wartime ensemble dramedy "M*A*S*H" (CBS, 1972-1983), a ground-breaking show he left in order to pursue a series of his own. After receiving his start on the stages of New York and as a writer for such shows as "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" (CBS, 1967-69), he landed his first regular cast role with a spot on the series "The Doris Day Show" (CBS, 1968-1973). After two seasons on that show, and with his professional stock …
Latest Tv Credits
1 - 4 of 4
Career Milestones
| After graduating from Northwestern University, worked in various jobs, including playing a clown on TV in Dallas, TX, selling insurance and medical equipment; hired as assistant athletic director at Northwestern | ||
| Attended American Musical and Dramatic Academy; also studied acting with Sanford Meisner and Lee Strasberg | ||
| Cast as Doris Day's boss, a magazine editor, on "The Doris Day Show" (CBS) | ||
| Earliest TV appearances as commercial actor and guest performer on such shows as "Naked City" and "The Defenders" | ||
| Hosted the annual "Crosby Clambake" on The Nashville Network | ||
| Played Col. Henry Blake on "M*A*S*H" (CBS) | ||
| Played Max Kellerman on the CBS series "Dirty Dancing" | ||
| Served in US Navy | ||
| Starred in NBC sitcom "Hello, Larry" | ||
| Starred in short-lived NBC sitcom, "The McLean Stevenson Show" | ||
| Wrote and performed comedy material as member of the ensemble in the revue "Upstairs at the Downstairs" in NYC | ||
1961 | Decided to become an actor after Adlai Stevenson, a relative, had invited him to a party in NYC | |
1962 | Stage debut in summer stock production of "The Music Man" | |
1964 | Writer and occasional performer on "That Was the Week That Was" (NBC); castmates included David Frost, Buck Henry and Alan Alda | |
1968 | Wrote for "The Summer Smothers Brothers Show" (aired from June to early September) | |
1970 | Appeared regularly on the short-lived "The Tim Conway Comedy Hour" (CBS) | |
1971 | Feature film debut, "The Christian Licorice Store" | |
1971 | TV-movie debut as a minister in "Mr. and Mrs. Bo Jo Jones" (ABC) | |
1973 | Began making regualr appearances on "The Tonight Show" (NBC); eventually became a frequent guest host substituting for Johnny Carson 58 times | |
1975 | Left "M*A*S*H" to pursue other opportunities; character of Henry Blake killed in plane crash | |
1978 | Final film appearance, "The Cat From Outer Space" | |
1978 | Starred as a priest in the short-lived CBS sitcom "In the Beginning" | |
1994 | Final TV appearance, "Armistead Maupin's 'Tales of the City'" | |
Awards
1973 | Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television in M*A*S*H |
1973 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performance By an Actor In a Supporting Role in M*A*S*H |
1974 | Primetime Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actor In Comedy in M*A*S*H |
1974 | Primetime Emmy Award for Best Writing In Comedy in M*A*S*H |
1975 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Continuing Performance By a Supporting Actor in M*A*S*H |