Actor, Comedian. Best remembered for his role as Lt. Col. Henry Blake in the popular TV series, "M*A*S*H." Born in the Bloomington/Normal area of McLean County, Illinois, to a father who was a cardiologist, his extended family was a provider of famous politicians to the American scene. While attending Bloomington High School, he was active in sports however there was never any indication of an acting career. Stevenson was confused after high school graduation, had no apparent occupational direction and his quest was nomadic...a medical supply salesman, insurance clerk, radio announcer, clown on live TV and a stint in the U.S. Navy before enrollment at Northwestern University coming away with a theater arts degree and a desire for a show business career. A visit to New York City while attending a political function was his defining moment and well-placed advice motivated him toward a show business career. Stevenson decided to stay while enrolling at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy where Lee Strasberg and Sandy Meisner were instructors. He spent much of the 60's in the city while performing in nightclubs and comedy spots leaving to work the summers in stock theatre at Warsaw, Indiana. His first Broadway stage break came in 1962 with a title role in "The Music Man" followed by parts in "Bye Bye Birdie" and "I'll Always Remember Miss What's Her Name." He broke into TV as a guest actor on various series such as "Naked City" and "The Defenders." When acting roles were scarce, he wrote revue comedy which further established him in show business. Hollywood beckoned in 1968 and initially work was found as a writer for "The Smothers Brothers Show." While guesting on various venues, he landed a regular role on the "The Doris Day Show" and simultaneously appeared on "The Tim Conway Comedy Hour." A tryout for a comedy series called "M*A*S*H" landed him a leading role as the mythical Lieutenant Colonel Henry Blake, commander of the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital during the Korean War which became his career highlight and made him an American household name, giving him a Golden Globe Award in 1974. He performed this character, a laid-back, off-centered commanding officer from its premiere in September 1972 until miffed by the secondary role asked to leave and was willingly written out during the 1974-75 season. His departure hardly led to his dream of a leading man status. He was very busy but a series of sitcoms all were cancelled after the first season..."Celebrity Challenge of the Sexes" "The McLean Stevenson Show" "In the Beginning, Hello, Larry" and "Dirty Dancing." (movie spinoff) He appeared 56 times as host of "The Tonight Show" substituting for Johnny Carson during his absences. His movie appearances were scanty with a small role in "The Christian Licorice Store" and the ET film "The Cat From Outer Space". McLean performed in public service as the spokesman for USAir and First Alert. He was barely active in the 90's having been diagnosed with cancer but hosted "The Crosby Clambake" on the Nashville Network from 1991 to 1993 performing for the last time with a supporting role in the 1994 PBS miniseries "Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City." He died from a heart attack following surgery for bladder cancer in Tarzana, California and was cremated, with his ashes being inurned at Forest Lawn-Hollywood Hills.