Allan Arbus, wise psychiatrist on TV’s ‘MASH,’ dies at 95

Allan Arbus, an actor best known for his recurring role as the wise, caring psychiatrist who ministered to shellshocked surgeons and troops on the hit television series “MASH,” died Friday at his home in Los Angeles, his family said. He was 95.

The cause was complications of congestive heart failure, his daughter Arin Arbus said.

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As psychiatrist Dr. Sidney Freedman, a guest role in which he appeared throughout the long-running series, Arbus was so believable that “MASH” star Alan Alda later said he long assumed the actor had real expertise in the field.

Arbus began acting professionally in his late 40s, after building a successful career in fashion photography with his first wife, Diane Arbus, who later turned to the unflinching portraiture for which she became known.

A full obituary will follow at latimes.com/obits.

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rebecca.trounson@latimes.com

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