Gary Burghoff

When Gary Burghoff – the future actor, artist, and wildlife advocate – was five, he liberated a few geese from a neighboring farm in Bristol. “I had a hell of a time,” said Mr. Burghoff, best known for his Emmy-winning role as Radar O’Reilly on the old “M*A*S*H” television show. The young Mr. Burghoff lugged the struggling, hissing birds to a distant pond because he believed they belonged in their natural habitat. (Eventually, the geese were returned to their owner, and Mr. Burghoff got a scolding.) Today, it is that same passion to preserve the environment’s natural order that inspires Mr. Burghoff’s wildlife paintings. Mostly oils, with a few watercolors, the paintings depict animals of North America. One series shows animals that, while not endangered, have been formally reintroduced into their natural environments because of dwindling numbers. “Pride of Alaska” shows an eagle family; “California Gold,” a watchful mountain lion and her cub: “Connecticut Harlequin,” a wild turkey with a scarlet wattle. Another series focuses on animals’ eyes. “I’m hoping to make the viewer see the beauty and soul of the animal,” Mr. Burghoff said during an interview at Litchfield’s P.S. Gallery. Dressed in a trademark hat, natty scarf and tailored navy pants, Mr. Burghoff, 61, had traveled far from his days playing Radar, the country-bred and exquisitely sensitive Army corporal on “M*A*S*H.” These days, Mr. Burghoff splits his time between northwestern Connecticut and Northern California. Mr. Burghoff’s art is currently in a number of major private collections in the United States, Canada and Europe. Because he has worked with animals almost all of his life, his paintings and prints have captured the essence of his love for them through his fine art.