Larry Gelbart, writer of ‘M-A-S-H,’ ‘Tootsie,’ other hit comedies, dies at 81

‘M-A-S-H,’ ‘Tootsie’ writer Larry Gelbart dies

LOS ANGELES — Larry Gelbart, the comedy writer famed for his work on “M-A-S-H” and “Tootsie,” has died. Gelbart died at his Beverly Hills home Friday morning after a long battle with cancer, said Creative Artists Agency, which represented him, He was 81.

Gelbart won a Tony award for “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” and an Emmy for “M-A-S-H,” the classic TV comedy based on the Robert Altman film about Army doctors during the Korean War. He was nominated for two Oscars, for his scripts for “Tootsie” and “Oh, God!”

Early in his career, he worked on Sid Caesar’s television show, joining a legendary writing team that included Mel Brooks, Neil Simon and Carl Reiner.