M*A*S*H actor William Christopher dies at the age of 84

US actor William Christopher, who played Father Francis Mulcahy in hit comedy M*A*S*H, has died at the age of 84.

Mr Christopher’s agent Robert Malcom said he died early on Saturday at his home in Pasadena, California.

His wife Barbara said he died peacefully after he was moved to a hospice more than a year after he was diagnosed with cancer.

The actor is best known to audiences for his portrayal in M*A*S*H of Father Francis Mulcahy, the softly spoken spiritual leader of the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital.

The hit 1970s sitcom focused on the relationships between army surgeons and staffers during the Korean War.