He'd go on to become one of the most endearing, too, with his steady presence as Colonel Potter anchoring the other characters from Season 4 all the way to the finale. McLean [Stevenson, who played Henry Blake] was never better. Stevenson found his greatest success in M*A*S*H. The series quickly became one of the most popular situation comedies of its time, and was eventually recognized as one of the top sitcoms in television history. Lt. Leslie Scorch was a recurring character who frequented Harry Blake's company in the first season of "M*A*S*H," appearing as early as the very first episode. Before he was cast as the fatherly, folksy Colonel Sherman Potter, Harry Morgan turned up on "M*A*S*H" as the unhinged one-off character General Steele in "The General Flipped at Dawn," one of the show's top comedic episodes. From there, he'd continue to be a recurring television presence, showing up as a guest star in plenty of other dramas and sitcoms before he made the jump to the big screen in the 1980s. A visit to New York City while attending a political function was his defining moment and well-placed advice motivated him toward a show business career. Like Richard Sung-Lee, actor Jerry Fujikawa appeared in several episodes of "M*A*S*H," each time as a different character. This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. Despite being jettisoned from "M*A*S*H," Brown went on to have a productive career. February 15, 1996 McLean Stevenson/Date of death Who died in the last episode of MASH? ", Stiers passed away in 2018frombladder cancer. During the late 1960s and early 1970s, he also appeared in TV commercials for products such as Kellogg's, Libby's fruit cocktail, Dolly Madison and Winston cigarettes, in which he was shown sprinting around a parking lot of Winston delivery trucks and painting over the product slogan, replacing the "like" in "like a cigarette should" with the grammatically correct "as. Usually paired with Enid Kent's Nurse Bigelow, Farrell's Nurse Able popped up in 8 episodes of "M*A*S*H" though one appearance was uncredited. But you couldn't beat what she was as a person, funnier and warmer and kinder than most people I've known.". "Alan Alda is the hero, the guy people want to be but know they aren't. Both actors were best known for portraying Col. Henry Blake in separate adaptations of "M*A*S*H." More bizarrely, both actors also had the same cause of death within 24 hours of each other. McLean Stevenson Dies at 66; Star of TV's 'M*A*S*H' Series, https://www.nytimes.com/1996/02/17/arts/mclean-stevenson-dies-at-66-star-of-tv-s-m-a-s-h-series.html. Wood was very involved with the live theater scene in New York City, and throughout his career, "wrote specialty material for revues and acted in New York City and regional [theaters]." This account has been disabled. We made a pact to give 'MASH' all we had and it bonded us," Alda tweeted. Mulcahy was played by the enduring William Christopher, who sadly died at the age of 84 from lung cancer in 2016, as noted by The Hollywood Reporter. "I loved Wayne. He plays Lieutenant Colonel Donald Penobscott a role originated by Beeson Carroll in Season 5, Episode 24's "Margaret's Marriage" and Donald casts a long shadow over the mid-to-late seasons of the show. While occasionally filling in as guest host of The Tonight Show, Stevenson's first attempt at his own show was an NBC variety show special titled The McLean Stevenson Show on November 20, 1975. Death. On the day the final episode was shot, Morgan said that he was feeling "sadness and an aching heart," both feelings that are quite apt regarding this loss. Failed to report flower. I loved Wayne. Colonel Henry Blake, on the CBS television series, I did some terrible shows. Real Monsters." Loretta Swit said, "It was the most perfect casting ever known." , McLean County, Illinois, USA; Maintained by Find a Grave . [1] Afterward he worked at a radio station, played a clown on a live TV show in Dallas, became an assistant athletic director at Northwestern, and sold medical supplies and insurance. After appearances on That Girl and The Doris Day Show , Stevenson became a star on MASH. He is currently 65 years old. While guesting on various venues, he landed a regular role on the "The Doris Day Show" and simultaneously appeared on "The Tim Conway Comedy Hour." Originally, he auditioned for the role of Hawkeye Pierce in M*A*S*H, but was persuaded to play Lt. Col. Henry Blake instead. But everyone knows and loves their Henry Blake there's no doubt about it. This is a carousel with slides. Edgar " Mac " McLean Stevenson Jr. (November 14, 1927 - February 15, 1996) was an American actor and comedian. Stevenson decided to stay while enrolling at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy where Lee Strasberg and Sandy Meisner were instructors. "[6] Although he had played ensemble parts for several years, he has stated that the primary reasons for his departure were systemic problems with 20th Century Fox, especially disregard for simple comforts for cast and crew on location,[7] and the more lucrative opportunities presented to him at the time. And, of course, he still had a lot of well-deserved glory attached to him from his time in the NFL: He's in the Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame. Rogers left "M*A*S*H" after his three-season run due to "a contract dispute." Do you think you know a lot about TV? He even made an appearance on "M*A*S*H" spin-off "Trapper John, M.D." M*A*S*H Actors Who Have Sadly Passed Away. "[14], Stevenson's screen credits include the Disney movie The Cat from Outer Space as a friend of Frank Wilson (played by Ken Berry) along with his M*A*S*H replacement Harry Morgan. [8], Stevenson was replaced in the series by Harry Morgan, a best friend of Stevenson who had guest-starred opposite him in the Season Three premiere episode "The General Flipped at Dawn." Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. McLean Stevenson was born in Normal, Illinois in November 1927 and passed away in February 1996. [5] "I made the mistake of believing that people were enamored of McLean Stevenson when the person they were enamored of was Henry Blake", said Stevenson. Halfway through the first season of M*A*S*H, she landed the part of Nurse Kellye; she appeared in 167 episodes of the long-running series. Her onscreen roles might not have been flashy, but she had a profound effect in the real world. Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. Trivia Some television shows just stand the test of time. He was a man of many talents, who left a rich history behind. Arbus' impact on "M*A*S*H" was not just on-screen Alan Alda, who played Hawkeye Pierce, recalled that Arbus was so good at playing a psychiatrist that he would find himself going to Arbus for life advice in between takes. Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. He also appeared with Alan Alda, later to star with him on "M*A*S*H," in the series "That Was the Week That Was," for which Mr. Stevenson was a writer. While attending Bloomington High School, he was active in sports however there was never any indication of an acting career. Everyone cheered when Major Frank Burns was replaced by Major Charles Emerson Winchester III, played by the extraordinarily talented actor David Ogden Stiers. After serving in the Navy, he attended Northwestern University, receiving a bachelor's degree in theater arts. All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. Oops, we were unable to send the email. She definitely played a nurse, but "M*A*S*H" tended to recycle the names of its nurses: If you pay attention, you'll see an awful lot of Nurse Ables and Nurse Bakers rotate through the camp in particular. Although Colonel Potter tried to warn her that perhaps she was rushing into this union, she didn't heed his words of wisdom, and the rest was (divorce-ridden) history. After guest-starring in That Girl with Marlo Thomas, he was cast in The Doris Day Show in 1969, playing magazine editor boss Michael Nicholson until 1971. These long-term health problems brought his career to an early end in 1988, about a decade after his "M*A*S*H" performance. From 1972 to 1983, "M*A*S*H" ruled the airwaves as a cultural phenomenon. Nakahara was born in Honolulu. Henry did the best he could in an impossible job, often dealing with supply shortages (Hawkeye and Trapper once traded Henry's precious oak desk for supplies . After his first few "M*A*S*H" appearances, Lee-Sung showed up on TV classics such as "S.W.A.T.," "Happy Days," "Starsky and Hutch," and "The Incredible Hulk" to name a few. Think back to the episodes of "M*A*S*H" that include the following: "Shout air raid." As noted by Variety, Henry suffered tremendously from injuries he sustained while playing professional football. Col. Henry Blake on the television series "M*A*S*H" for three seasons, died on Thursday at the Tarzana Regional Medical Center in Tarzana, Calif., near Los Angeles. In a statement given to The Reporter, it was noted that Christopher's condition had rapidly declined within a two-week period. 0 cemeteries found in Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles County, California, USA. He did a great job for three years. Abyssinia, Henry: Directed by Larry Gelbart. He played Ms. Day's boss, Michael Nicholson, for two seasons. Resend Activation Email, Please check the I'm not a robot checkbox, If you want to be a Photo Volunteer you must enter a ZIP Code or select your location on the map. Winter died in 2001 of complications from Parkinson's disease. "Alan Alda is the hero, the guy people want to be but know they aren't. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. [citation needed], After his departure from M*A*S*H, Stevenson's acting career declined. By using our Services, you agree to our use of cookies. If you're a fan of the "M*A*S*H" television series, chances are you're also a fan of the "M*A*S*H" feature film while hardly any actors overlap from both the movie and the show, George Wood is one who did. This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. Right from the start, Rogers and Alan Alda had a great onscreen rapport. [13] Stevenson commented in 1990 that some of the criticism was justified, conceding that leaving M*A*S*H was the biggest mistake of his career. You're not so dead. His personal history contained plenty of sorrow Diane Arbus committed suicide in 1971, shortly before "M*A*S*H" began airing that may have deepened his portrayal of the empathetic Sidney. "You could not find anyone who ever spoke ill of Mike. [18], By coincidence, Roger Bowen, who portrayed Henry Blake in the 1970 movie MASH, died due to a heart attack the day after Stevenson. McLean Stevenson, best remembered for his role as the laconic, reluctant commanding officer and chief surgeon of CBS television's "MASH" in its early years, has died. [10] During the 198889 television season, he returned to a supporting TV role in an ensemble, playing Max Kellerman in the short-lived CBS series adaptation of Dirty Dancing. But nobody made me do it. He was very busy but a series of sitcoms all were cancelled after the first season"Celebrity Challenge of the Sexes" "The McLean Stevenson Show" "In the Beginning, Hello, Larry" and "Dirty Dancing." Arbus died in 2013 of complications of congestive heart failure. Family members linked to this person will appear here. Actor McLean Stevenson played Blake, and for the first three seasons of "M*A*S*H," Stevenson's Blake drank, fished, and cheated on his wife. He is interred in Forest Lawn - Hollywood Hills Cemetery in Los Angeles. Rogers passed away in 2015, due to complications from pneumonia. Mr. Stevenson later appeared in "The McLean Stevenson Show," a short-lived series that began in December 1976. In 1967, she married David Wallett and moved to Los Angeles where she began a career as an actress. You know, so you'll be able to recognize him." A system error has occurred. He was also a regular on "The Tim Conway Comedy Hour" in 1970. I'll miss him very much.". After attending a year at The University of Omaha, Stephenson took a job as a DJ in Alliance, Nebraska . I did everything by choice. He's particularly a thorn in Klinger's side, but he runs afoul of almost everyone sooner or later. ", arguably the best spoof of all time but his work on "M*A*S*H" came towards the end of his career. He was best known for starring as Colonel Henry Blake on the television series M*A*S*H from 1972 to . "We are sadden[ed] by the passing of beloved actor Leslie Nielsen who enjoyed a more than 60-year career in motion pictures and television," a statement from Nielsen's family read, as noted by The Hollywood Reporter. "I was so convinced that he was a psychiatrist I used to sit and talk with him between scenes," Alda said. In an interview, Mr. Stevenson described his character as a good-hearted medical man thrust into the position of running an Army unit and enforcing absurd rules. Actor, Comedian. "He is me.". and the "Naked Gun" series, died in 2010 at the age of 84. Colonel Henry Blake, McLean Stevenson, colloquially referred to as "Mac," wanted to end his contract with M*A*S*H. But the thing that made his leave stand out amongst other characters who left the popular television sitcom was that Henry Blake's leave was permanent. McLean Stevenson (8 December 1980 - 15 February 1996) (his death) (1 child) Trivia (3) Stepmother of Jeff MacGregor. His manager Barry Greenberg told The Los Angeles Times: "He was wonderfully refreshing and irreverent but always a very talented and professional guy. Sadly, after the show's first three seasons, Stevenson asked to be let go of his contract so he could pursue other work. Frank Burns or "Ferret Face," if you ask some of his colleagues is one of the TV characters we all love to hate. The show had to bring him back, as Jamie Farr explained to NPR, because Harry Morgan was probably the single funniest person in the whole cast. described to the Hollywood Reporter by co-star Gary Burghoff, Alan Alda even admitted to the New York Times. McLean Stevensonbegan in show business at age 31. IMDb lists Stevens as Baker, Johnson, Able, Brown, and Mitchell but as the show went on, she stabilized as Baker, becoming one person to the writers and a recognizable figure to viewers. Before "M*A*S*H," Goldman had been on "Hogan's Heroes," in another background role that often went uncredited. He hopped around between pilots, guest-starring roles and short-lived sitcoms for years without finding anything that really struck a chord with him. Actor McLean Stevenson died on Feb. 15, 1996, and actor Robert Bowen died on Feb. 16, 1996. Trapper John McIntyre might have only starred on "M*A*S*H" for three seasons, but his impact on the show was enormous, so much so that he was mentioned by fellow characters seasons later. She said that before Stevenson left the series he told her, "I know I will not be in anything as good as this show, but I have to leave and be number one. Regrettably, during his football career, Henry suffered multiple head injuries, leading to Parkinson's disease and chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Only Hello Larry lasted two seasons; all others were cancelled in their first. There is a problem with your email/password. Try again later. Winter made such an indelible impression as Flagg that it's probably still what he's best known for, but he was a tremendously prolific and varied actor. He's a great catalyst for the other characters, ratcheting up scatter-brained Henry Blake's nerves and showcasing Margaret's cheerful swooning for high-ranking officers. Before becoming a star, Stevenson appeared as a contestant on the Password television game show in New York City, winning five pieces of luggage. "After a couple months of that I noticed he was giving me these strange looks, like 'How would I know the answer to that?'" The email does not appear to be a valid email address. Most of the nurses on "M*A*S*H" never had significant interaction with the main cast, especially not over multiple episodes and multiple seasons. Was charged with abusing his wife a year earlier, after a beating left her with injuries to her eye, foot, and arm. McLean is interred in Forest Lawn - Hollywood Hills Cemetery in Los Angeles. Short stints at a variety of jobs followed. See also. He contributed a lasting bit of the show's continuity, too, in coining the name for Jeff Maxwell's character Igor. Henry, who was well-known for playing Tarzan in the three 1960s adventure films, sadly died in 2021 at the age of 84. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. Burns was your classic jerk a complainer with a 6 million-mile-long ego without the skill set to match. And Henry does a good job making him both memorable and punchable. Before his time on "M*A*S*H," Winter was a stage actor who worked primarily in San Francisco and New York. What was McLean Stevenson cause of death? Speaking of Potter, Morgan said, "I think it's the best part I ever had," and the actor even brought personal touches to the role: Potter's horse, Sophie, belonged to Morgan in real life. U.S., Newspapers.com Marriage Index, 1800s-2020, U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007, U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947, Your Scrapbook is currently empty. Appearing in all but four seasons, Lee-Sung's "M*A*S*H" tenure was only the beginning of his career. Farrell recalled that Stiers was similar to his character, Winchester, in that he loved classical music Stiers would often suggest musical pieces for Farrell to listen to in hopes of sharing his passion. Try again. Stevenson was recovering from bladder cancer surgery at the Encino-Tarzana Regional Medical Center on February 15, 1996, when he suffered a sudden fatal heart attack. He was born in 1957 in Chicago, Illinois, United States. After high school, he joined the United States Navy, and served from January 1946 to November 1947 as a hospital corpsman. Loretta Swit said it was because he was tired of being in an ensemble and wanted to be "number one." (This is also confirmed by MASH writer Ken Levine) The departure would take place the last episode of the third season. "I think I was in every scene," she told NPR in 2016. Though Farrell and her co-star husband had been married for 20 years, they divorced following the series finale in 1983, each pursuing their own interests. Stevenson attended Bloomington High School and Lake Forest Academy. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. What Shows Have Been Renewed or Canceled? Learn more about merges. He eventually began acting in sketches. Having previously written for "Fame" and the TV movie "The Kid fromNowhere," Farrell wrote an impressive 131 episodes of the "General Hospital" spin-off "Port Charles" from 1998 to 2003. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. His movie appearances were scanty with a small role in "The Christian Licorice Store" and the ET film "The Cat From Outer Space". [15], Stevenson was recovering from bladder cancer surgery at the Encino-Tarzana Regional Medical Center on February 15, 1996, when he suffered a sudden fatal heart attack. It was pretty common to see certain actors return as different characters throughout the series. Please try again later. As noted by The New York Timesin 2013, Arbus' death was confirmed by his daughter, Amy, one of his three children spanning from two marriages. Shocking TV deaths have turned into an artform in their own right, but few have ever hit as hard as that of Lieutenant Colonel Henry Blake. Mr. Stevenson bounced around television from one comedy to another for much of his career, but it was his role as the softhearted, bumbling commander of a surgical unit during the Korean War that best suited his affable, low-key comic style. He'd also served as a combat photographer during WWII. Christopher returned to again play Mulcahy in the show's spinoff, "AfterMASH." LOS ANGELES (CNN) -- McLean Stevenson, best remembered for his role as a womanizing, clumsy commanding officer in the hit television series "MASH," died of a heart attack Friday, his agent. On top of all that, he has presence: simultaneously good-natured and intimidating. First appearing in the Season 5 episode "Out of Sight, Out of Mind," Farrell's incarnation quickly picked up steam and she found herself returning in a recurring capacity by the end of the season. As such, his character was killed, thus not allowing Stevenson to return to the show. But you couldn't beat what she was as a person, funnier and warmer and kinder than most people I've known.". In this 1979 interview, McLean Stevenson reveals what was going on behind-the-scenes during filming of his last episode of "M*A*S*H" and discovering they wer. At the time of his death, Haymer left behind his wife, his two sons, his brother, and two grandchildren. Learn more about managing a memorial . "He became TV's quintessential padre as Father Mulcahy on M.A.S.H. Try again later. After a guest appearance on "That Girl," with Marlo Thomas, he was signed to a regular role on "The Doris Day Show" in 1969. He is best known for his role as Lieutenant Colonel Henry Blake in the television series M*A*S*H, which earned him a Golden Globe Award in 1974. We have set your language to Try again later. "[5] Stevenson admitted that his problem was finding something of the caliber of M*A*S*H, saying "I've never been able to work with a group that's as talented or scripts that are as good. While other versions of Nurse Able appeared in "M*A*S*H," none were as well-loved or consistent as the one played by Judy Farrell, the then-wife of series star Mike Farrell. Throughout its time on the air, "M*A*S*H" brought in a number of regular guest stars, and no one was as ridiculous and entertaining as Colonel Flagg, brought to life by the actor Edward Winter. His character was so believable that you just wanted to reach into the screen and slap him, and this exceptional portrayal was thanks to Linville's talent. After his service he attended Northwestern University, where he was a Phi Gamma Delta fraternity brother, and graduated with a bachelor's degree in theater arts. A number of "M*A*S*H" stars are still around and even still acting in particular, Alan Alda had a memorable and moving role in 2019's "Marriage Story" but the inevitable passing of time means that several beloved cast members of the show are now gone. He also was a co-host of the syndicated daytime talk show America, which lasted 16 weeks between September 16, 1985, and January 3, 1986. "[2], In 1961, Stevenson's cousin invited him to social functions where he met a few business luminaries. In a surprise twist at the end of the episode, the characters . I'm the guy they really are." Jones' presence could have meant a lot to viewers in the '70s even though his nickname, which has racist connotations, was an uncomfortable thing to hear every week so it's unfortunate that he was written out due to a misconception. While Stevenson starred in other comedy series, it was "M*A*S*H" that he was known for. Morgan sadly died in 2011 at the age of 96 at his home in Los Angeles shortly after being diagnosed with pneumonia. It worked: Frank's distinctive giggle alone should turn up in acting classes. Death. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. Born November 14, 1927 Died February 15, 1996 Cause of Death Heart Attack Biography Read More Affable comedic actor McLean Stevenson was most widely known for his portrayal of Col. Henry Blake on the wartime ensemble dramedy "M*A*S*H" (CBS, 1972-1983), a ground-breaking show he left in order to pursue a series of his own. [16][17] He was cremated and his ashes are interred in Forest Lawn - Hollywood Hills Cemetery in Los Angeles. As noted in his New York Times obituary, he also spent years advocating for children with autism and for their families, building off his own experience raising an autistic son. Though she was a consistent delight in the first season, Lt. Scorch was quickly written out of the series after the Season 2 premiere "Divided We Stand," never to be seen or heard from again. Roy Goldman's character also named Roy Goldman was an important part of the background of "M*A*S*H." As an amiable corpsman and orderly, he was another familiar face that made viewers feel like the 4077 was real. You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. I'll miss him very much.". They were Bill. John Orchard played two characters on "M*A*S*H": anesthesiologist "Ugly John" and in a single, significantly later reappearance the casually corrupt MP Muldoon. Add to your scrapbook. Colonel Henry Blake during M*A*S*H 's first three seasons. She was 84. In 1975 Stevenson decided to leave the show. He also appeared in the film "The Cat From Outer Space" (1978). (December 8, 1980 - February 15, 1996) (his death, 1 child), (May 24, 1969 - August 1971) (divorced, 1 child), (April 13, 1957 - 1960) (divorced, 1 child), The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962), View agent, publicist, legal and company contact details on IMDbPro. As reported by The Times, Haymer began his acting career in the nightclub scene after graduating from the University of Missouri before turning to the screen, he worked as a stage actor and was well-known for his work in commercial acting. He was 95. He filled in for Johnny Carson as guest host of The Tonight Show 58 times, and as a guest on the program in 1982, he brought his daughter Lindsey onto the set when she was just 16 weeks old. Best remembered for his role as Lt. Col. Henry Blake in the popular TV series, M*A*S*H. Born in the Bloomington/Normal area of McLean County, Illinois, to a father who was a cardiologist, his extended family was a provider of famous politicians to the American scene. We wish we could have seen more of Stevenson over the years, but his work as Henry will definitely live on. Professionally, Wood went by G. Wood and portrayed Brigadier General Charlie Hammond, the steely-eyed leader once romantically attached to Major Margaret Houlihan. Hollywood beckoned in 1968 and initially work was found as a writer for "The Smothers Brothers Show." Colonel Henry Blake The series "Hello, Larry," another comedy by Mr. Lear, presented Mr. Stevenson as a talk-show host on a small radio station and the father of two teen-age daughters. He was responsible for writing a number of musicals himself, including "F. Jasmine Adams," and even wrote music for Broadway stars like Elizabeth Welch and Hermione Gingold. Cookies help us deliver our Services. Stevenson was born in Normal, Illinois. Charles Frederick "Skip" Stephenson (April 18, 1940 - May 18, 1992) was an American actor, comedian, and musician. One of Stiers' closest on-set friends was Mike Farrell, who played Captain B. J. Hunnicutt. ", As Dr. Sidney Freedman, a therapist who made semi-regular visits to the 4077 to treat its patients and its staff, Allan Arbus is gentle, funny, warm, and wise: Anyone would be lucky to get to talk to this guy about their problems. Loretta Swit, who played Major Margaret Houlihan, told The Reporter after his death that "everyone adored" Christopher. Try our quiz and enter to win $500!Click below to check the trivia questionWhy McLean Stevenson Left M*A*S*H'In 1970, d. He played a major role in Robert Altman's "Nashville" and did several Blaxploitation movies; he later worked as a parole officer. Mike Henry may have only appeared in one episode of "M*A*S*H" Season 6, Episode 10: "The M*A*S*H Olympics" but his part makes a huge impact. He was at the Encino-Tarzana Regional Medical Center, recovering from a surgery when he suffered from cardiac arrest. While many of us loved Colonel Sherman Potter as the 4077th's leader on M*A*S*H, the helm was originally occupied by Lieutenant Colonel Henry Blake, whose bumbling personality and lack of leadership capabilities made him hilarious to watch on screen. He died in 1981, at the age of 62. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. In the third season finale "Abyssinia, Henry", Henry Blake is sent home, to coincide with McLean Stevenson's departure from the show. If you notice a problem with the translation, please send a message to [emailprotected] and include a link to the page and details about the problem. As he explained to The Philadelphia Inquirer (via MeTV), "I pulled out every box in my head marked nerd, moron and slime."