The actor who played psychiatrist Sidney Freedman on the hit comedy series passed away on Friday, April 19 following heart failure.
- Apr 24, 2013
AceShowbiz - The psychiatrist Sidney Freedman of 1970s comedy television "M*A*S*H", Allan Arbus, died at the age of 95 on Friday, April 19, his family confirmed. Arbus passed away at his house in Los Angeles due to congestive heart failure.
"At 95, doctors didn't want to do surgery and Allan didn't want it at all," Arbus' second wife, Mariclare Costello told Reuters. "He just slowed down. He just got weaker and weaker and was at home with his daughter and me."
Arbus' first major acting role was in Robert Downey Sr.-directed 1972 film "Greaser's Palace", in which he appeared alongside the director's son, Robert Downey Jr. In 1973, he took the role of a psychiatrist, Freedman, on "M*A*S*H" He wasn't a regular on the comedy series, but his character was loved by fans.
Prior to becoming an actor, Arbus was a successful photographer who once served as an U.S. Army photographer during World War II. In 1941, he got married to Diane Nemerov, who later became an acclaimed photographer for her photos of marginalized people.
From the marriage, they have two daughters, Amy and Doon Arbus. The couple divorced in 1969, two years before Nemerov committed suicide. Five years later, Arbus married Costello and they have Arin Arbus together.
