Eileen Saki, M*A*S*H and Splash Actress, Dies at 79

Actress Eileen Saki has sadly passed away. TMZ reports that Saki, who’s well known to M*A*S*H fans for her role as Rosie the bar owner, died in L.A. on Monday after a battle with cancer. She was 79 years old.

Rosie, the character who owned Rosie’s Bar, was portrayed by three actresses, first in one episode by Shizuko Hoshi and then in two episodes by Frances Fong. Saki would play the character in eight episodes after taking over the role, becoming the one most closely associated with the character. The character’s final appearance was in the tenth season episode “Snap Judgment.” Additionally, before taking on the role of Rosie, Saki had also appeared in a season 5 episode as a different character, playing the head Madam of a group of prostitutes.

Saki can also be remembered for her notable role in the 1984 fantasy rom-com Splash. Directed by Ron Howard, the film stars Tom Hanks as a man who falls in love with a mermaid, played by Daryl Hannah. The film also stars Euguene Levy and the late John Candy with Saki appearing in the role of Dr. Fujimoto. Saki also played a Roman slave in Mel Brooks’ 1981 comedy History of the World, Part I, which was just recently given a continuation on Hulu. That followed roles in the films Policewomen and Meteor.

On the small screen, Saki also had roles in other TV shows like Good Times, CHiPs, The Greatest American Hero, Gimme a Break!, Sidekicks, and Without a Trace. She also appeared in the TV movies Enola Gay: The Men, the Mission, the Atomic Bomb and Victims for Victims: The Theresa Saldana Story. In 2016, she appeared in the short film Man Rots from the Head with Michael Cera, Jodie-Turner Smith, and Alex Borstein.

Related: Judy Farrell, M*A*S*H Star, Dies at 84

Eileen Saki Was Keeping Busy

Just months ago, Saki appeared in a new promo for Uber Eats. The ad, seen above, features Saki getting some help from Los Angeles Rams player Aaron Donald to cross the street. It features a driver angrily honking his horn at the two, impatient with how long it is taking them to cross the street, only to run away in fear once he is given a dirty look by Donald.

Some who knew Saki are paying tribute. M*A*S*H co-star Jeff Maxwell (Private Igor Straminsky) posted a statement to Twitter commenting on the news. Saki was a guest on Maxwell’s M*A*S*H-themed podcast with Ryan Patrick, and through that experience, Maxwell says he got to know a wonderful person. He’s now feeling very saddened about the news of her passing. Maxwell and Saki had both also attended a 50th anniversary celebration special for the show.

“She was gracious, funny, engaging, insightful, adorable, filled with M*A*S*H stories and exhibited more energy than I remember having twenty years ago,” Maxwell’s statement reads in part. “She spoke with great love for all the cast members, but was particularly appreciative of her interaction with Executive Producer and director, Burt Metcalfe. The visit with her was pure joy as she filled every word with joy, life and love.”

Saki is survived by Bob Borgen, her husband. Our thoughts are with him along with Saki’s other loved ones at this painful time. May her memory live on as she rests in peace.

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