Playing a real louse on TV has to be a hard gig. Sure, you clock out and go back to your real life, but, if the show's possible, millions will identify your television character. It's almost a compliment if folks see you as that baddie; it means you've done your job right. What better validation is there? It's proof that you've effectively moved an audience to feel some type of way about you.

While he wasn't a beloved, cuddly character, M*A*S*H's Frank Burns was nonetheless part of one of TV's most indelible ensembles. As Burns, Larry Linville wasn't a true villain. But he certainly wasn't very likable. That was kind of the whole point. Characters like Hawkeye and Trapper John needed a foil, someone who could create some conflict within the 4077th.

Linville didn't necessarily identify with many of Burns' characteristics. While he was able to believably perform as the stick-in-the-mud Major, Linville was no square in real life. 

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While he may not have won the adoration of millions, Larry Linville did get something important from playing Burns on TV. 

"I think the greatest advantage one has in a situation like this," said Linville, "is the ability to say, 'No, I don't think I want to do this.'"

While he'd acted plenty before M*A*S*H, Linville was then at the whim of casting calls and producers' choices. He hadn't yet garnered the recognizability he'd need to truly call his shots. However, Frank Burns, his highest-profile role yet, allowed him to scrutinize the work he was offered, rather than just accept any and everything.

"Because not only are you seeing more scripts, you're also seeing a lot of scripts from people who only want to cash in on your name."

After M*A*S*H, Burns returned to guest-starring roles and appeared on shows like The Love Boat, Fantasy Island, The FBI Story, and CHiPs.