<Tr> <Th> Preceded by </Th> <Td> MASH (1970 film) </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Related shows </Th> <Td> M * A * S * H AfterMASH </Td> </Tr> <P> Trapper John, M.D. is an American medical drama television series and spin - off of the film MASH (1970). Pernell Roberts portrayed the title character, a lovable surgeon who became a mentor and father figure in San Francisco, California . The show ran on CBS from September 23, 1979 to September 4, 1986 . Roberts played the character more than twice as long as had Wayne Rogers (1972--75) on the TV series M * A * S * H . </P> <P> Trapper John, M.D. focuses on Dr. "Trapper" John McIntyre (Pernell Roberts) 28 years after his discharge from the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (M.A.S.H. or MASH) in the Korean War . During that time after the war, the character had mellowed considerably . He did not merely learn how to stop fighting the system but became a part of it, in a sense, as the Chief of Surgery at San Francisco Memorial Hospital . Trapper showed tremendous compassion toward his patients, often violating "established hospital procedures ." Working with Trapper was an aspiring young professional named Dr. George Alonzo "Gonzo" Gates (Gregory Harrison), who had a lot in common with Trapper, having also served in a MASH (albeit during the later Vietnam War). His sense of humor and love of life also reflected elements of Trapper's younger days . In the show, Gonzo resided in a motor home (dubbed "The Titanic") in the hospital parking lot . </P>

Who played trapper john on trapper john md