Frank Burns
| Character | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Frank Burns |
| Occupation: | surgeon |
| Relationships: | Louise Burns (wife), 3 daughters |
| Fandom: | MASH |
| Other: | |
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Frank Burns is a character from MASH, appearing in the original book by Richard Hooker, the 1970 film, and the first five seasons of the television series, where the part was played by actor Larry Linville.
Canon
Frank is a third-rate surgeon who nevertheless, as a Major, outranks the other doctors with whom he shares quarters at the 4077th MASH unit. Although he professes to be religious, patriotic, and keen on discipline, he is engaged in an long-running affair with Margaret Houlihan, the chief nurse. Nevertheless, he has no intention of divorcing his wife. The other doctors, who detest him, often call him by the nickname "Ferret Face".
When Margaret marries another man, Frank suffers a breakdown, goes AWOL, and is sent back to the United States for psychiatric evaluation. The character was replaced in Season 6 by Major Charles Emerson Winchester III.