Larry Gelbart, 1928-2009. R.I.P.

Writer Larry Gelbart has died after a long battle with cancer. He was 81.

Gelbart was a successful writer on Broadway, film and television. He cut his teeth writing for Danny Thomas and Sid Caesar (if writing for Thomas and Caesar didn't make your teeth sharp then nothing would.) Gelbart is, of course, best known for bringing M*A*S*H to television in 1972 and would remain with the show until 1976.

After leaving M*A*S*H, Gelbart co-wrote screenplays for movies like Oh God! starring George Burns, Tootsie starring Dustin Hoffman as well as the far less heralded Blame It On Rio starring Michael Caine, a very young Demi Moore and an even younger Michelle Johnson.

In recent years, Gelbart blogged on The Huffington Post.