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Article: Comedy Genius Behind 'M*A*S*H,' 'Forum'
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- September 12, 2009
- Author:
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Larry Gelbart, 81, a celebrated writer and producer whose
socially innovative TV series "M*A*S*H" helped demonstrate that the
half-hour comedy could win huge ratings while addressing
contemporary issues such as war and gender relations, died Sept. 11
at his home in Beverly Hills, Calif.
He had cancer. Asked to specify what kind, his wife, Patricia
Marshall, said, "Just the lethal kind."
Mr. Gelbart's career spanned nearly every entertainment medium
for six decades. After starting in radio comedy as a teenager, he
entered television during its formative years and joined a renowned
stable of comedy writers -- including Woody Allen, Mel Brooks and
Neil Simon -- who worked for Sid Caesar on ...