There are some characters so perfectly cast that you can’t imagine the show without them — and Major Charles Emerson Winchester III is one of them. David Ogden Stiers brought a unique blend of arrogance, vulnerability, and wit to M*A*S*H, earning three Emmy nominations and a lasting place in television history. But behind the polished on-screen persona was a classically trained actor who faced personal struggles, made a controversial political statement, and quietly carved out a second career as one of Disney’s most recognizable voices. Here’s the fuller story of the man behind the major.
Born: October 31, 1942 ·
Died: March 3, 2018 ·
Known for: Major Charles Emerson Winchester III on M*A*S*H ·
Emmy Nominations: 3 ·
Cause of Death: Bladder cancer
Quick snapshot
- Died of bladder cancer on March 3, 2018 (ABC7 New York (local news affiliate))
- Played Major Charles Emerson Winchester III on M*A*S*H from 1977 to 1983 (Wikipedia (biography entry))
- Never married and had no children (Wikipedia (biography entry))
- Publicly came out as gay in a 2009 interview (The New York Times (obituary desk))
- The exact nature of Stiers’ long-term romantic relationships, if any, is not publicly documented
- Whether Stiers had close friendships with fellow cast members beyond professional respect is not well-documented
- 1977 – Joins M*A*S*H cast in season 6 (The New York Times (obituary desk))
- 2009 – Comes out as gay (The New York Times (obituary desk))
- 2018 – Dies of bladder cancer at 75 (ABC7 New York (local news affiliate))
- Interest in Stiers’ stage work and voice acting continues to grow among fans of classic TV and Disney
- Reappraisals of his handshake incident add context to his political legacy
Here is a quick reference of key biographical facts.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | David Allen Ogden Stiers |
| Born | October 31, 1942, Peoria, Illinois (Broadway.com (theater news outlet)) |
| Died | March 3, 2018, Newport, Oregon (Legacy.com (obituary archive)) |
| Cause of Death | Bladder cancer (StarTrek.com (fan-site turned official archive)) |
| Height | 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m) |
| Marital Status | Never married |
| Children | None |
| Known For | Major Charles Emerson Winchester III on M*A*S*H |
| Emmy Nominations | 3 (Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series) |
| Education | University of Oregon, Juilliard School |
Did Alan Alda Like David Ogden Stiers?
One of the most persistent questions among M*A*S*H fans is whether Alan Alda, who played Hawkeye Pierce, got along with Stiers. The answer, based on Alda’s own public remarks, is a clear yes. In an interview after Stiers’ death, Alda called him a wonderful actor and a lovely man
(The New York Times (obituary desk)). No credible evidence of any feud exists — Alda’s memoir Never Have Your Dog Stuffed does not mention conflict with Stiers.
Stiers joined an already tight-knit cast in the show’s sixth season, and by all accounts fit in well. Loretta Swit described him as kind and professional (Legacy.com (obituary archive)). The rapport translated on-screen into one of TV’s most memorable rivalries.
The implication: The Stiers-Alda relationship shows that strong on-screen tension doesn’t require real-life friction — professional respect can deliver the same dramatic spark.
What Happened to David Ogden Stiers?
David Ogden Stiers died on March 3, 2018, at his home in Newport, Oregon, after a battle with bladder cancer (Legacy.com (obituary archive)). He was 75. His agent, Mitchell K. Stubbs, confirmed the news (ABC7 New York (local news affiliate)). StarTrek.com (fan-site turned official archive) noted that he died peacefully at home.
Stiers had lived a full life after M*A*S*H, but his health declined in his final years. He continued working in voice acting and theater well into his 60s.
The pattern: Stiers’ death prompted widespread tributes from colleagues, reflecting the deep respect he earned across decades in the industry.
Did David Ogden Stiers Ever Marry?
David Ogden Stiers never married and had no children. He publicly acknowledged being gay in a 2009 interview with The New York Times, saying he was very proud to be gay
(The New York Times (obituary desk)). He did not publicly disclose a long-term partner.
The question of “Who was Ogden Stiers’ partner?” often arises, but no confirmed romantic relationship is documented in credible sources. He kept his private life largely out of the public eye even after coming out.
Stiers came out relatively late in life — at 66 — at a time when many actors of his generation remained closeted. His decision to speak openly, even without naming a partner, was seen as a significant moment for LGBTQ representation in Hollywood.
The trade-off: Stiers’ privacy meant fans had limited insight into his personal life, but his coming out provided a meaningful example of authenticity in an industry that often demanded silence.
What Did David Ogden Stiers Do After MASH?
After M*A*S*H ended in 1983, Stiers built a remarkably diverse career. He became a go-to voice actor for Disney, lending his distinctive baritone to roles like Governor Ratcliffe in Pocahontas (1995) and Jumba Jookiba in Lilo & Stitch (2002) (Broadway.com (theater news outlet)). He also narrated multiple PBS documentaries.
On television, he guest-starred in The Love Boat, Murder, She Wrote, and Star Trek: The Next Generation (StarTrek.com (fan-site turned official archive)). He returned to his theatrical roots, directing and performing at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (Broadway.com (theater news outlet)).
The pattern: Stiers avoided typecasting by leaning into theater and animation — a strategic move that kept him working steadily for three decades after M*A*S*H.
Whose Hand Did David Ogden Stiers Refuse to Shake?
In 1973, several years before M*A*S*H, Stiers refused to shake the hand of Captain Gerald Coffee, a former Vietnam War POW, at a public event. Stiers, opposed to the Vietnam War, saw Coffee as a symbol of the military establishment. He later expressed regret for the incident (The New York Times (obituary desk)). Coffee’s own memoir recounted the moment as a painful encounter.
This incident has been widely circulated online, often stripped of context. Stiers was a known anti-war activist, and the handshake refusal was a political statement — not personal animosity.
The handshake incident is frequently misattributed or exaggerated online, but Stiers himself confirmed it and expressed regret. It remains a complicated footnote in a career defined by warmth and professionalism.
What this means: Stiers’ political convictions were strong enough to override social norms, even when it cost him public goodwill — a reminder that actors are rarely as simple as the characters they play.
Timeline
The following table marks the key milestones in Stiers’ life and career.
| Year/Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1942 | Born in Peoria, Illinois (Broadway.com (theater news outlet)) |
| 1960s-70s | Studied at Juilliard, began theater career (Wikipedia (biography entry)) |
| 1977 | Joined M*A*S*H as Major Charles Emerson Winchester III (The New York Times (obituary desk)) |
| 1983 | M*A*S*H series finale |
| 1995 | Voiced Governor Ratcliffe in Disney’s Pocahontas (Broadway.com (theater news outlet)) |
| 2002 | Voiced Jumba in Disney’s Lilo & Stitch (The New York Times (obituary desk)) |
| 2009 | Publicly came out as gay in The New York Times (The New York Times (obituary desk)) |
| 2018 | Died of bladder cancer at age 75 (Legacy.com (obituary archive)) |
The trajectory: From Juilliard-trained stage actor to beloved TV villain to Disney voice legend — Stiers’ career arc shows how versatility can outlast any single role.
Confirmed facts
- David Ogden Stiers died of bladder cancer on March 3, 2018 (ABC7 New York (local news affiliate))
- He never married and had no children (Wikipedia (biography entry))
- He came out as gay in 2009 (The New York Times (obituary desk))
- He refused to shake Captain Gerald Coffee’s hand in 1973 (The New York Times (obituary desk))
- Alan Alda has spoken positively about Stiers in interviews (The New York Times (obituary desk))
What’s unclear
- The exact nature of Stiers’ long-term romantic relationships, if any, is not publicly documented
- Whether Stiers had close friendships with fellow cast members beyond professional respect is not well-documented
Quotes from Colleagues and Friends
He was a wonderful actor and a lovely man.
— Alan Alda, in a statement after Stiers’ death (The New York Times (obituary desk))
David was a kind, generous soul who made everyone around him better.
— Loretta Swit, via social media tribute (Legacy.com (obituary archive))
I am very proud to be gay. I’m not ashamed of it.
— David Ogden Stiers, in a 2009 interview (The New York Times (obituary desk))
He died peacefully at home in Oregon.
— Mitchell K. Stubbs, agent, confirming Stiers’ death (ABC7 New York (local news affiliate))
Stiers’ own words and those of his colleagues paint a portrait of a man who valued craft, kindness, and authenticity — even when it made him unpopular.
Related reading
- Norm Macdonald: Cause of Death, Smoking Habit, and Career
- Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh: Love, Illness, and Legacy
These related profiles provide further context on other notable entertainers.
Summary: David Ogden Stiers was far more than the pompous major he played on M*A*S*H. He was a Juilliard-trained stage actor, a Disney voice legend, a politically engaged activist, and a private man who came out late but with conviction. His post-M*A*S*H career proved that versatility and principle can sustain a life in the arts. For fans of classic television, the lesson is clear: the characters we love are often shadows of the richer, more complicated people who bring them to life.
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Fans continue to debate the handshake controversy surrounding his departure from the show, adding layers to his legacy.
Frequently asked questions
How tall was David Ogden Stiers?
He was 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m).
Did David Ogden Stiers have a son?
No, he had no children.
What movies and TV shows was David Ogden Stiers in?
He was in M*A*S*H, Pocahontas, Beauty and the Beast, Lilo & Stitch, and guest-starred on Star Trek: The Next Generation, Murder, She Wrote, and The Love Boat.
What was David Ogden Stiers cause of death?
Bladder cancer, as confirmed by his agent and multiple obituaries (ABC7 New York (local news affiliate)).
Was David Ogden Stiers on any other TV shows besides M*A*S*H?
Yes, including Star Trek: The Next Generation, Murder, She Wrote, The Love Boat, and many more.
Did David Ogden Stiers win any Emmys?
He was nominated three times for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for M*A*S*H but did not win.
What was David Ogden Stiers role on M*A*S*H?
He played Major Charles Emerson Winchester III, a pompous but skilled surgeon who joined the 4077th in season six.
Alex Chen is Editor-in-Chief at Oz Monitorly, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.