William Christopher Biography

Fast Facts

• Wrote the book "Mixed Blessings" with his wife Barbara about their experiences raising their autistic son, Ned
• Graduated from Wesleyan University with a degree in Drama
• Started out as a stage manager with some small acting roles at The Barnstormers theater in New Hampshire
• Made his Broadway debut in the play "Beyond the Fringe" before he even had an agent
• Quote: "We really wanted to share our experiences [with autism] with this book, as I have found that when you share your experiences with other people, you get a little bit of extra strength․ You both grow stronger for the sharing․"
• Quote: "I feel․․․lucky to be an actor with a job that lasted 11 years․․․It's a lot more fun to be working than to be out of work․ Not that I worry now․ At my age, I figure if I'm out of work it's just the powers that be have decided I needed a vacation․"
• Best known for his role as Father Francis Mulcahy in "M*A*S*H" and as Private Lester Hummel in "Gomer Pyle: USMC․"
• Starred with "M*A*S*H" co-star Jamie Farr in a touring version of "The Odd Couple" and appeared with him and another "M*A*S*H" co-star, Loretta Swit, in an episode each of "Lois & Clark" and "Diagnosis: Murder․"