why did gary burghoff leave mash

Gary Burghoff left M A S*H primarily due to burnout after playing the character Radar for a decade, since the original 1970 film and throughout the TV series. He also wanted to spend more time with his family, as filming the show was demanding and took a toll on his personal life. By the time his contract expired after seven years on the show, he chose not to renew it in order to step back and focus on his well-being and family responsibilities. Additionally, Burghoff struggled with being strongly identified with the Radar character, which affected his sense of identity and contributed to his decision to leave the show. His exit was marked by the season 8 episode "Good- Bye Radar," which gave him a meaningful farewell after years of commitment to the role.