For a current overview of Wane Roger's rather extensive filmography, please click the filmography link.

As I've said before, Wayne Rogers is best known for his work in M*A*S*H. His popularity for the portrayal of Trapper John has lasted through generations.

He may not have been given all of the punchlines that Hawkeye had, but Trapper's popularity as a character is something that scripts alone couldn't have produced. Indeed, much of the hype that still is Trapper John came from the brilliant acting of Wayne Rogers.

The son of an attorney, Wayne's father died when he was young. After finishing school on a scholarship, Wayne graduated from Princeton University in 1954 with a degree in history, and went on to join the Navy as a navigator for almost 3 years. His last Navy stint was spent as a navigator on the U.S.S Denebola.

As the ship came to Brooklyn, Wayne went to see a director he had known in the past. On seeing him at a rehersal of a play, Wayne resigned his Navy commission and signed up with New York's Neighborhood Playhouse. He spent 2 years studying both acting and dancing.

Whilst studying in New York, Wayne supported himself with various jobs including cab driving, working at Schraft's, and being a lifeguard in Long Island. He shared a "cold-water walkup" on 13th and 30th sreets with actor Peter Falk where the rent was $37 a month.

Wayne took-up many Off-Broadway productions. Before he debued on the silver screen he starred in Robert Wise's "Odds Against Tomorrow." According to Wayne, Wise originally turned him down because he did not like the actor's photograph. Thanks to his persistent agent, Rogers was allowed to read. Wise's response to the audition: "You've got the part but I still don't like your picture." (Silly man!)

In 1972, Wayne joined the hit TV show M*A*S*H, and became instantly popular portraying the (very) lovable Trapper John McIntyre. He left the series in 1975 after not making any progress with producers as to increasing the role of Trapper in the show. Wayne felt that he wasn't getting the opportunity to explore his character and so took the only option he felt was right.

When Wayne left M*A*S*H, he was sued for breach of contract, but the case was thrown out because he had no contract. Producers had also wanted him to sign a morality clause, in which he could be suspended or fired at any time. Wayne refused because he wanted the same privilege regarding the producers.

After he left M*A*S*H, Wayne starred in a new TV series "House Calls" which ran for three years. Funnily enough, "House Calls" aired in the timeslot immediately after M*A*S*H.

In a recent interview with Gary Boole of "Entertainment", Wayne still says that despite this controversy, he still enjoyed his time on M*A*S*H:

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GB: Did you enjoy playing the Trapper John character on M.A.S.H.?

WR: Yes, I loved M.A.S.H. As we are sitting here now talking, its playing somewhere in the world. Its amazing. I saw in People Magazine they said it was the most popular television show of all time so I feel very lucky.
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Even now, Wayne still carries friendships from his M*A*S*H days. Wayne mentions in an interview with Bankrate in 2001: "My good friend Alan Alda is doing a play on physics, 'QED'." In relation to Wayne and Alan starring alongside each other in a movie Wayne states, "Well we talk about it, but it's not something either of us ever pushed. We were just offered a film at one point, but we didn't like the script. We didn't do anything active to make it happen."

Today, Wayne is still to be seen infront of the cameras. His latest productions include 3 Days of Rain (2000), where he played a business man; and Frozen with Fear (2000) playing Charles Sullivan. In 2002, Wayne also featured in the M*A*S*H: 30th Anniversary Reunion.

Wayne has been married twice, and has 2 children from his first union. During his first marriage, Wayne followed the belief that work ethic, and being a good provider was enough, and that everything would follow afterwards. He came to realise however, that starting out in the entertainment industry he was putting everything into his work, and was somewhat neglecting his home life. In an interview with Bankrate, Wayne quoted his then wife telling him "You don't really know the family." After that, Wayne grew very close to his kids. Wayne's current wife used to be a producer of "Good Morning America".

Apart from acting, Wayne is a respected business man, being the co-CEO of Swifty Serve, America's largest privately owned convenience store chain, consisting of over 500 stores. He also owns several banks, a vineyard, and takes part in the bridal industry. Wayne further enjoys playing sports including basketball and tennis. Sources say he's also a great cook! Wayne says "I love leftovers, especially my lasagne! It's indefinately better the next day!"

To end the biography section, I'll leave you with Wayne's advice for success, which he gave to his sister's graduating class:
"One, whatever you choose do it for its own sake. Not for parents, friends, and least of all, money. You'll be satisfied. Two, have real passion. Three, leave a little on the table for the next generation."