He had been diagnosed with cancer in June, his wife Pat said to the Los Angeles Times.

Gelbart, the principal writer on “M*A*S*H” during the first four years of the hit series, was responsible for 97 segments of the show, one of TV’s best and most literate comedies. He also directed some early episodes

He is survived by his wife, their two children Adam and Becky, two stepchildren Gary and Paul Markowitz, six grandchildren and two great-grandchild.