Known As Major Winchester On MASH, David Ogden Stiers Dies At 75-His Life Behind The Cameras

More often than not, you are never sure when death knocks at your door, while the other times you are counting down to your eventual death. David Ogden Stiers knew his death was only a matter of time, but it did not leave his family nor his fans any less sad when he left this world.

Luckily for David Ogden Stiers, he lived a beautiful life before departing. Let's have a look at the reasons behind the pa s sing away of this veteran actor, as well as the life he lived.

David Ogden Stiers Died At 75

Beloved actor David Ogden Stiers pa s sed away on 3rd March 2018 at the age of 75. He was battling blood cancer and despite putting up a brave fight, he eventually lost the battle.

His death was confirmed by the actor's agent Mitchell Stubbs. He informed that his client died peacefully at his home in Newport, Oregon. The agency added his talent was only surpa s sed by his heart.

I am very sad to report that David died this morning March 3, 2018 peacefully at his home in Newport, Oregon after a courageous battle with bladder cancer.

His talent was only surpa s sed by his heart. pic.twitter.com/fjuGmbVYgd

— MKS Talent Agency (@MKSTalentAgency) March 3, 2018

Stiers was born on October 31, 1942, in Peoria, Illinois. He was best known for his performance as Winchester in "M*A*S*H", for which he got nominated for two Emmy awards in 1981 and 1982. The widely popular series ran for 11 seasons from 1972 to 1983.

The actor's co-star, Loretta Swit, who played Maj. Margaret (Hot Lips) Houlihan on "M*A*S*H" released a statement of her own after Ogden's death. He called Stiers "my sweet, dear shy friend. She added, "working with him was an adventure".

David's other works include the roles as voice actor playing Cogsworth in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and Jumba in Lilo & Stitch. His early television credits include stints on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Charlie’s Angels, and Kojak.

Moreover, Ogden also appeared as Reverend Gene Purdy on The Dead Zone. Furthermore, he is known for portraying District Attorney Michael Reston in several Perry Mason TV movies.

David Ogden Stiers Came Out As Gay In 2009: Was He Married?

Stiers initially felt insecure and uneasy to reveal his sexuality. However, he gathered the courage to come out of the closet in 2009.

During an interview, Stiers revealed:

"I am [gay]. Very proud to be so."

The actor further revealed he kept his sexuality a secret for nearly all his life because of the fear it might damage his career. He said:

"I haven't witnessed such things occurring in a long, long time. I should say in regards to this that many of my fears were in modern times self-invented. I've been working internally on whether they were the problem, or if I just continued using them as an excuse."

Meanwhile, the actor never married. Perhaps his sexuality got in the way, as he could never spend the life together with the right partner. However, some sources suggest the actor has a son from his relationship in the 1960s. No further information about his offspring is revealed. 

David Ogden Stiers: Quick Facts

• Born on 32 October 1942 in Peoria, Illinois.
• His birth sign was Scorpio.
• His parents are Margaret Elizabeth and Kenneth Truman Stiers.
• He was of American Nationality and belonged to white ethnicity.
• He graduated from North Eugene High School.
• He went to the University of Oregon.
• His first performance was in the Broadway production The Magic Show in 1974.
• He performed in The Three Sisters and The Beggar's Opera.
• He had an estimated net worth of about $8 million.