'M*A*S*H' - Frank Burns Trivia Quiz

Answer: Larry Linville

Larry Linville claimed that playing Frank Burns was the toughest role on 'M*A*S*H' because he had to constantly struggle to make such a nitwit of a character seem real and human. Larry Linville was born in 1939 in Ojai, California. Sadly, he passed away in 2000, only 60 years old at the time.

Answer: Marion

Major Franklin (Frank) Marion Burns was portrayed by Robert Duvall in the film 'M*A*S*H'. In the film, he was much less comical and much more of a Bible thumper.

Answer: Ferret

Most 'M*A*S*H' fans are very familiar with the nickname 'Ferret Face', but do they know what its origin is? Look no further than the season one episode entitled 'Dear Dad, Again', wherein Frank reveals that it was his brother who first forced this cruel moniker on poor Frank. Come to think of it, though, he does look an awful lot like a ferret...

Answer: Louise

Frank apparently married his wife because of her wealth. In the third season episode entitled 'There Is Nothing Like a Nurse', Louise appears in a home movie sent to Frank in Korea. She was played by actress Jeanne Schulherr (who also appeared as a nurse and an anesthetist in two other episodes).

Answer: Three daughters

Unfortunately, we never learn the names of Frank's three daughters during the run of the show. The only other family member of Frank's that we 'see' is his mother, via a stock picture (apparently also seen in some Tarzan movies).

Answer: Fort Wayne

Frank has a private practice in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He apparently has a receptionist who works at his private practice with whom he is having an affair, this revealed to Margaret when Frank became sick with the flu.

Answer: He graduated at the bottom of his class

Though there is no doubt that Frank graduated at or near the bottom of his medical school class, the truth about this is never revealed. Frank claims in different episodes that he entered medical school to please his mother and to make a lot of money.

Answer: A wrenched back

Frank threw out his back while dancing with Margaret, and submitted an application for a Purple Heart as a result. Hawkeye steals Frank's Purple Heart and gives it to a young soldier named Walter (played by Ron Howard). In a later episode, Frank submits for a Purple Heart after suffering an injury from a 'shell' fragment...an eggshell fragment, that is.

Answer: 5

Larry Linville decided to leave after the fifth season, believing that he took the Frank Burns character as far as he reasonably could. Ostensibly, on the show, Frank's reason for leaving was his unhappiness about Margaret's marriage to Donald Penobscot.

Answer: Yes

After suffering a breakdown in Seoul following Margaret's marriage, Frank was given a psychiatric evaluation, and finally shipped off to the states. Frank was actually promoted by the army to the rank of lieutenant colonel, and given a position at a veteran's hospital in Indiana. Must have been his good karma!