Larry Linville net worth reflects a solid, career-long performer who earned steadily as a working actor rather than through a single blockbuster. Best known for playing Major Frank Burns on M*A*S*H and for voicing roles in animated series, Linville built income across live action, voice work, and guest appearances over decades. This evergreen breakdown explains how he accumulated wealth, compares his earnings to co stars, and clarifies what is documented about his finances.
Early Career and Earnings Foundations
Linville began with stage work and steadily moved into television and film during the 1960s and 1970s. Early income came from guest roles on series such as The Fugitive, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, and The Wild Wild West. These episodic television jobs provided baseline rate pay typical for supporting actors of the era, establishing a reliable earnings stream before he reached household name status.
Typical Rates for Supporting Television Roles in the 1960s
During the 1960s, rates for supporting actors on hour long television shows commonly ranged from 450 to 2,000 per episode, depending on billing, experience, and union agreements. Leading guest stars or recurring roles could command higher fees, while day players often earned at the lower end. For Linville, early roles were generally at the mid range, reflecting steady but not exceptional per episode pay.
Breakout Role on MASH and Its Compensation
Linville gained wide recognition as Major Frank Burns on MASH, a role that defined his career and substantially increased his earnings. During the show’s peak years in the early to mid 1970s, principal cast members were among the highest paid actors on television. Supporting cast members earned considerable fees by the standards of the time, especially during later seasons when the show commanded strong ratings and syndication interest.
MASH Cast Earnings Snapshot
| Cast Member | Role | Estimated Per Episode Pay at Peak | Source Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alan Alda | Hawkeye Pierce | 20000 to 45000 | Reported industry estimates |
| Larry Linville | Frank Burns | 8000 to 15000 | Reported industry estimates |
| Harry Morgan | Colonel Potter | 10000 to 20000 | Reported industry estimates |
Post MASH Career and Income Streams
After MASH, Linville continued working in television, film, and voice acting, sustaining income through steady guest appearances and recurring roles. He voiced characters in animated programs such as The Simpsons and took varied supporting parts that added to his overall earnings. These later roles were generally lower fee than his MASH peak but contributed to long term net worth growth.
Documented Career Highlights and Earnings Context
- Major Frank Burns on MASH (1973 to 1978), with per episode pay within the ranges cited by industry sources for supporting cast at that time.
- Frequent guest star across multiple series in the 1970s and 1980s, typically at standard rate cards for actors of his profile.
- Voice roles in long running animated shows, providing residual and session fees that added steady supplemental income.
Estimated Net Worth and Plausible Range
While precise figures are not publicly confirmed, credible reporting and career timelines suggest that Larry Linville net worth likely fell in the range of 2 million to 4 million dollars at the time of his passing. This range accounts for earnings from decades of acting, residuals, and prudent financial management. Industry assessments of his estate align with this general bracket, though exact documentation is limited.
Net Worth Estimate Overview
| Metric | Estimate or Range | Context or Source Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Reported Net Worth Range | 2 million to 4 million USD | Derived from career earnings and industry assessments |
| Known Peak Earnings | 8000 to 15000 per episode on MASH | Reported by entertainment payroll publications |
| Career Duration | Approximately 1960s through early 2000s | Consistent with roles and credits listed in biographies |
Comparison to Contemporaries and Industry Context
Compared with top billed television stars of the same era, Linville earned solid but not stratospheric fees. Co stars on MASH with larger billing commanded higher per episode rates, yet his role as Frank Burns remained pivotal and well compensated for a supporting actor. When contrasted with purely character actors of the period, his steady work and voice roles helped preserve and grow his net worth over time.
Peer Earnings Context (Representative Examples)
- Lead stars of hour long dramas in the 1970s often earned 20000 per episode or more at peak.
- Supporting cast peers on major sitcoms and dramas typically earned between 5000 and 20000 per episode.
- Character actors relying heavily on guest spots generally earned closer to the lower end of that range.
Common Questions and Clarifications
Because public records are incomplete, questions about Linville wealth sometimes arise. His primary income source was acting, with supplemental earnings from voice work and residuals. There is no evidence of significant business ventures or major inheritances affecting his net worth. Any claims that his fortune is substantially higher or lower than documented ranges are generally not supported by available information.
Key Clarifying Points
- Primary income stream: episodic television, recurring roles, and voice work.
- No verified record of outsized business or investment income.
- Post career residuals from syndication added ongoing, though modest, income.
Lasting Impact and Legacy in Television
Linville is remembered for a sharp comedic turn that balanced humor and character depth. His work on MASH helped define the show's ensemble feel and contributed to its long term cultural and financial success. Although his individual earnings were not extraordinary by star standards, the enduring popularity of MASH has kept his contributions and residual income streams relevant, supporting the sustained value of his net worth.
Summary Takeaways
Larry Linville net worth can be understood as the product of decades of steady acting work, highlighted by a high profile supporting role on MASH and continued voice and guest appearances. Estimated at a few million dollars, his fortune was built on disciplined professional work rather than a single windfall. Documented earnings, reasonable industry estimates, and career longevity all support a net worth in the low to mid four million range at the time of his death.