Henry Blake is a character in the CBS war comedy-drama television series M*A*S*H, which aired from 1972 to1983. He is a surgeon and the original commanding officer of the 4077th M*A*S*H unit. He is beloved for his down-to-earth, laid-back manner by many under his command, especially Hawkeye and Trapper John (with whom he drinks, flouts regulations, and chases women). However, he is scorned for it by those who prefer strict military discipline, such as Frank Burns and Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan.