William Christopher, the actor best known for his long-running role on "M*A*S*H" as Father John Mulcahy has died at the age of 84 from cancer. Christopher's death was confirmed to Eyewitness News by his son John Christopher who stated that his father passed away earlier today at his Pasadena, California home from a non-lung small cell carcinoma.
William Christopher mourned by fans
Fans remember him best as Father Mulcahy from 1972-1983 on the iconic television series "M*A*S*H," and on "After M*A*S*H" from 1983-1985. Throughout his decades-long career in show business William Christopher appeared in more than forty television roles including guest spots on "Gomer Pyle," "The Andy Griffith Show," "Death Valley Days," "The Patty Duke Show" and in 2012 an eleven episode stint on "Days of Our Lives" as Father Tobias.
While working mostly in television, Christopher also found fame in a few feature films including " With Six You Get Eggroll," The Fortune Cookie," and "The Shakiest Gun in the West." Christopher met and later married his now wife Barabra while on a blind date.
The two hit it off instantly and spent many happy years together raising their two sons, John and Ned.
2016 claims another celebrity hours before New Year arrives.
The couple's youngest son is autistic, which led William to become very active serving as an honorary chairman of the National Autistic Society and a member of the board of trustees at the Devereux Foundation, which provides facilities for adults living with autism and other developmental disorders.
William and Barbara's love and dedication for their son also brought the couple together as authors co-writing a book titled "Mixed Blessings," which openly discussed families emotions and reactions in their everyday lives during diagnosis, treatment and understanding of the disease.
2016, as previously reported, has been a most difficult year for the entertainment industry leaving families, friends and fans in a state of mourning for the loss of over 100 Celebrities in the past 12 months. In the past week alone fans have been forced to say their goodbyes to entertainers George Michael, Carrie Fisher, Debbie Reynolds, and sadly now William Christopher.
Our thoughts are with the William Christopher's family at this time. Christopher is survived by his wife Barbara and two sons John and Ned.