Gary Burghoff became a household name playing the beloved Corporal “Radar” O’Reilly on the classic TV series MASH*. While fans adored his shy, endearing character, few realized Burghoff had a personal reason for keeping his left hand out of view whenever possible—he was born with a congenital condition called brachydactyly, which left three fingers on his left hand noticeably shorter.
Throughout the show’s run, Burghoff carefully positioned himself to conceal his left hand, often using only his right hand for gestures or holding props. But eagle-eyed viewers might have spotted a few rare moments where his left hand made an appearance.
One such moment came in an early episode where Radar holds a football with both hands as helicopters approach. Another occurred when Colonel Potter first arrived, and Radar used both hands to open a box. Perhaps the most memorable instance was during a chaotic bugle ceremony gone wrong—after Major Burns’ cannon mishap, Radar stomps in frustration, briefly revealing both fists clenched in anger.
Even in quieter scenes, like when Radar cradled his pet guinea pig, Babette, his left hand occasionally slipped into view. And in a particularly funny moment, Radar gets flustered while saluting, accidentally raising both hands in a double salute before sheepishly lowering them.
Despite his efforts to hide his hand, Burghoff never let his condition hold him back. He embraced his uniqueness, even joking about being typecast as the “adorable” small guy. His portrayal of Radar remains iconic, proving that talent and charm shine brighter than any perceived imperfections.
