Burt Metcalfe(1935-2022)

A former actor, Canadian-born Burt Metcalfe was employed as a casting director for Universal Television when he was recruited by Gene Reynolds. His job was to assemble the cast for the pilot episode of M.A.S.H. (1972). To sweeten the deal, he was given the title of associate producer. Metcalfe accepted the challenge and went on to play an integral part in putting together that gifted ensemble of actors, as well as in determining the overall tone of the series. Larry Gelbart, Reynolds and Metcalfe went to considerable lengths to undertake background research on both medical and military aspects. This was done via phone interviews with literally hundreds of doctors, some of whom had served in Korea and were able to provide a valuable insight. Ultimately, the intention was to make a social statement within the framework of a black comedy: "We've capitalized more, over the years, on that mix of comedy and drama.... to a very worthwhile effect. We are able to weave grim, somber threads into funny things, concurrently". After Reynolds moved on to Lou Grant (1977), Metcalfe rose to executive producer and remained with M*A*S*H for the remainder of its entire run, in addition to directing thirty-one episodes of the hit series. In due course, he received thirteen (shared) Prime Time Emmy Award nominations. Metcalfe later proceeded to work as executive producer and director on the sequel After MASH (1983). In 1986, he joined the now-defunct MTM Enterprises in the same capacity.

Metcalfe moved to Los Angeles from Montreal in 1949. He received a degree in theatre studies from UCLA in 1949 and made his screen acting debut in Mark Robson's Les ponts de Toko-Ri (1954). Following military service in the U.S. Navy from 1956 to 1957, Metcalfe had several small roles on television, notably as one of the frightened residents in the The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street (1960). He appeared in recurring roles as a newlywed (son-in-law to Leon Ames and Ruth Warrick) in Le père de la mariée (1961) and as an Air Force Colonel in 12 O'Clock High (1964). In 1965, he joined Screen Gems as a casting director and then executive assistant. From 1979 until his death in July 2022, Metcalfe was married to the actress Jan Jorden who had played Nurse Baker in nine episodes of M*A*S*H .