photo #6074099

49 years ago today, March 18, 1975, McLean Stevenson's character Col. Henry Blake dies in the M*A*S*H episode "Abyssinia, Henry", its third season finale. Out of all the main characters on the show, Henry Blake was the only one to have been killed off. In order to evoke genuine emotions of shock and sadness from the actors, the final O.R. scene was kept a secret from the cast, with the exception of Alan Alda, until immediately before filming; only then was the last page of the script handed out. After the final scene was finished, the end-of-the-season wrap party was canceled due to the poor mood of the cast. After the news of Col. Blake's death shocked the world, the May 4, 1975, episode of Cher’s variety show's opening shot was of "Henry Blake" paddling a raft and looking at the camera hollering, "I'm OK!" I'm OK!"