Gary Rich Burghoff (born May , ) is an American actor who is known for
originating the role of Charlie Brown in the Off-Broadway musical
You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, and the character Corporal Walter
Eugene "Radar" O'Reilly in the film MASH, as well as the TV series. He
was a regular on television game show Match Game from to for
episodes, standing in for Charles Nelson Reilly who was in New York
doing a Broadway play, but continued to make recurring appearances
afterwards.Burghoff was born in Bristol, Connecticut, moved to
Clinton, Connecticut, and then later moved to Delavan, Wisconsin.He
studied tap dance and became a drummer, despite having a congenital
deformity. His left hand had fingers that were significantly smaller
than those on his right hand. He was born with a condition called
Poland syndrome, named after British surgeon Alfred Poland, that is a
rare birth defect. His version of Poland Syndrome was more
specifically Brachydactyly (Short fingers). He gained early experience
acting with the Belfry Players of Williams Bay, Wisconsin. He received
his acting training at HB Studio in New York City.In , Burghoff
portrayed Charlie Brown in the original Off-Broadway production of
You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown.
originating the role of Charlie Brown in the Off-Broadway musical
You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, and the character Corporal Walter
Eugene "Radar" O'Reilly in the film MASH, as well as the TV series. He
was a regular on television game show Match Game from to for
episodes, standing in for Charles Nelson Reilly who was in New York
doing a Broadway play, but continued to make recurring appearances
afterwards.Burghoff was born in Bristol, Connecticut, moved to
Clinton, Connecticut, and then later moved to Delavan, Wisconsin.He
studied tap dance and became a drummer, despite having a congenital
deformity. His left hand had fingers that were significantly smaller
than those on his right hand. He was born with a condition called
Poland syndrome, named after British surgeon Alfred Poland, that is a
rare birth defect. His version of Poland Syndrome was more
specifically Brachydactyly (Short fingers). He gained early experience
acting with the Belfry Players of Williams Bay, Wisconsin. He received
his acting training at HB Studio in New York City.In , Burghoff
portrayed Charlie Brown in the original Off-Broadway production of
You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown.
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