MishM*A*S*H 39: Radar’s Teddy Bear

No, this isn’t THE teddy bear that Radar had in M*A*S*H. That teddy bear last sold at auction in 2014 and was offered on eBay for a short time in 2017. This stuffed teddy bear was produced in 1983 by Allando Associates amidst the hype surrounding the end of the series. While it does not look exactly like the teddy bear that was Radar’s companion at the 4077th, it is a cute substitute that was sold in support of a good cause. Radar’s teddy bear became a character of its own over the eight seasons that Gary Burghoff held the role. The teddy bear even made an appearance after Radar left the series, but was that the same bear? This week, we will discuss Radar’s teddy bear in the series and look at the bear that was sold in the early 1980s.

The Tale of Two Teddy Bears

Radar’s iconic, one-eyed teddy bear made its first appearance in M*A*S*H in the episode “I Hate a Mystery” (01×10) when Henry is searching the camp for the items that had been stolen from various members of the 4077th. The bear then makes at least 16 more appearances including in “The Kids” (04×08), “Quo Vadis, Captain Chandler” (04×09), “The Gun” (04×13), “War of Nerves” (06×04), and “Goodbye Radar, Part II” (08×05) (RJ at mash4077tv.com has a great history of Radar’s teddy bear’s appearances in the series). It is the teddy bear’s final appearance in “Goodbye Radar, Part II” that is most memorable for me as Radar leaves the teddy bear on Hawkeye’s bunk in The Swamp. It was a fitting gift from Radar to Hawkeye, and it was a great metaphor for Radar growing up. Him leaving the teddy bear behind also fulfilled the prophecy by Dr. Sidney Freedman in “War of Nerves” in which he suggests that after the war, Radar probably won’t need a teddy bear anymore.

Fans of the series probably know that “Goodbye Radar, Part II” is not the last time Radar’s teddy bear appeared in the series. But it is the last time THE teddy bear prop used in seasons one through eight appears on camera. Burghoff kept the original teddy bear prop when he left the series, so when Hawkeye placed Radar’s teddy bear in the time capsule in “As Time Goes By” (11×15), it is not the same bear. The teddy bear Hawkeye is holding in the penultimate M*A*S*H episode has two eyes, and is NOT Radar’s original teddy bear. Eagle eyed fans have been calling that out for years! Of course, Burghoff had the original bear, so the prop department had to improvise and find one that was similar. What happened to the original teddy bear? Burghoff sold the teddy bear in a One of a Kind Collectables Auction in 2014. It came with a letter from Burghoff signifying that was the original bear from M*A*S*H, and it sold for $14,307.50. In 2017, the teddy bear appeared on eBay for a short time, and I believe that it did sell. To my knowledge, the teddy bear’s current whereabouts are unknown.

A Teddy Bear for All

In 1983, California based Allando Associates sold a version of Radar’s teddy bear for a good cause. The bear is ten inches tall, has both eyes, but he looks a little like the bear from M*A*S*H. He wears an olive drab shirt that said “Radar’s Teddy” on the front and “M*A*S*H 4077th” on the back. The bear was sold in support of the organization Paralyzed Veterans of America, which is a non-profit that supports veterans with spinal cord injuries and their families. The bear’s tag included a note from Burghoff and an offer to request a set of dog tags for their teddy bear, along with information about how they can support Paralyzed Veterans of America. The tag says:

Dear New Bear Owner:

This is one special teddy bear. He was a good friend to me, just as I’m sure that he’ll be to you

So I hope you’ll take real good care of him and get a real nice dog tag—er, I mean bear tag, to make him officially yours. See the attached coupon for details.

He’s also very special because by purchasing this teddy bear you have helped continue the fine work of Paralyzed Veterans of America —and they’re pretty special too.

America’s paralyzed veterans and I thank you.

Gary Burghoff

There were hundreds of M*A*S*H related objects sold in the early 1980s, and the amount of M*A*S*H merchandise hit its peak in 1983 following the series finale. In the sea of M*A*S*H products, it is great to see that an item was sold in honor of a character that did not appear in the finale, and one that supported a great cause. Burghoff and the other cast members were always supportive of veterans organizations and the armed forces, and I really like how they tied that back to Radar’s teddy bear. The teddy bears are no longer sold, but they are available second hand, and I have seen quite a few sell over the years. Paralyzed Veterans of America is also still in operation to this day, and has been in operation since 1946. Visit their site to find out how you can support their worthy cause.