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MASH actor Allan Arbus passes away

MASH actor Allan Arbus passes away

THE actor Allan Arbus, who appeared in the TV series MASH, has passed away. He was 95.

Mr. Arbus played the army psychiatrist Sidney Freedman in the hit series of the 1970s. But his decision to become an actor was taken relatively late in his life and after he had already enjoyed a successful career as a photographer.

He had been a photographer serving with the US Army in Burma during World War II and went on to establish a photography studio in New York in the late 1940s with his first wife Diane. She went to become a famous art photographer while he enjoyed success as a fashion photographer.

The marriage had ended in the late 1950s. A film about the life of Diane Arbus, who committed suicide in 1971, was released in 2006. Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus starred Nicole Kidman. Ty Burrell played the part of Allan Arbus.

After turning to acting in his 40s, he had a somewhat patchy start to his new career in the 1960s, but he began to make his mark during the seventies with a appearances in the range of films and TV shows. 

His first major role was in the cult film Greaser’s Palace (1972). Fans got their  first view of him in MASH in 1978 and he went on to appear in a number of episodes until the series ended in 1983.

Over the years, he made appearances in TV shows including Cagney & Lacey, Matlock and In The Heat Of The Night. His last role was in 2000 in the comedy series Curb Your Enthusiasm with Larry David.

Mr. Arbus passed away at his home in Los Angeles from congestive heart failure.

To view a tribute to Mr. Arbus on Youtube, click here.

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