H. Richard Hornberger

H. Richard Hornberger (February 1, 1924 – November 4, 1997) was an American writer and surgeon, born in Trenton, New Jersey, who wrote under the pseudonym Richard Hooker. His most famous work was M*A*S*H (1968), which served as the basis for a successful movie and television series. He had been a physician for the United States Army during the Korean War, and used his experience at the 8055th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital as background for his work.

Related Topics:
February 1 - 1924 - November 4 - 1997 - American - Trenton, New Jersey - Pseudonym - M*A*S*H - Movie - Television series - United States Army - Korean War - Mobile Army Surgical Hospital

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Hornberger based the character of Hawkeye Pierce on himself, although reportedly he did not like Alan Alda's portrayal in the TV series.

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Hawkeye Pierce - Alan Alda

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Hornberger wrote two sequels, M*A*S*H Goes to Maine (1972) and M*A*S*H Mania (1977), neither of which enjoyed the commercial success of the original; In addition, there was an extensive series of books (bearing Hooker's name but ghostwritten by Charles E. Butterworth) in which the characters travel to Moscow, New Orleans, San Francisco, Paris, etc. These were hastily written to capitalize on the TV show's popularity and of dubious literary merit.

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Even after the success of his book and its screen adaptations, Hooker remained a surgeon in Waterville, Maine until his retirement in 1988.

Related Topics:
Waterville, Maine - 1988

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