David Ogden Stiers

David Ogden Stiers – Life, Career, and Memorable Roles

Explore the life, career, and artistic legacy of David Ogden Stiers — the American actor, voice artist, and conductor known for MASH*, Disney roles, and more.

Introduction: Who Was David Ogden Stiers?

David Allen Ogden Stiers (October 31, 1942 – March 3, 2018) was an American actor, voice artist, stage performer, and conductor.

He is perhaps best known for portraying the sometimes pompous but complex Major Charles Emerson Winchester III on the television series MASH*.

But his talents extended far beyond on-screen acting: he lent his voice to numerous animated films (especially Disney features), narrated documentaries, appeared on Broadway, and served as a conductor for orchestras.

In this article, we’ll trace his early life, major career milestones, artistic versatility, legacy, and some key lessons from his path.

Early Life and Family

David Ogden Stiers was born in Peoria, Illinois, on October 31, 1942, to parents Margaret Elizabeth (née Ogden) and Kenneth Truman Stiers.

Although born in Illinois, his family moved during his youth, and he spent formative years in Eugene, Oregon.

He graduated from North Eugene High School in Oregon.

From early on, he had interests in both performance and music. His deep voice and ability to inhabit roles would later become hallmarks of his career.

Youth, Education & Training

After high school, Stiers briefly enrolled at the University of Oregon.

However, his passion for theater drew him to San Francisco, where he began acting in stage companies such as the California Shakespeare Theater, San Francisco Actors Workshop, and the improvisational group The Committee.

It was during this period that he was discovered by John Houseman, who invited him to New York to train at the Juilliard School (Drama Division).

He studied at Juilliard from roughly 1968 to 1972, honing his craft in voice, acting, and classical theater.

Upon graduation, he became one of the founding members of The Acting Company (also associated with John Houseman).

Career and Achievements

Breakthrough with MASH*

In 1977, Stiers joined the cast of MASH* as Major Charles Emerson Winchester III, replacing the departing character Frank Burns.

Winchester was portrayed as a refined, highly skilled surgeon from Boston, contrasted with the more irreverent characters around him.

Stiers played that role until the series ended in 1983, earning two Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor.

His portrayal added depth: though often haughty or arrogant, Winchester had his vulnerabilities and moments of genuine empathy. This made him a memorable foil in MASH*.

Diversified Screen & TV Roles

After MASH*, Stiers took on a wide variety of roles in film and television:

• He appeared in Perry Mason TV movies as D.A. Michael Reston.

• He played Reverend Gene Purdy on The Dead Zone (2002–2007).

• Guest roles and recurring appearances included Star Trek: The Next Generation, Matlock, Murder, She Wrote, ALF, among many others.

• In film, he worked in Doc Hollywood (1991), Iron Will (1994), Everyone Says I Love You (1996), Shadows and Fog (1992), and others.

• He also had a friendly working relationship with director Woody Allen, appearing in several of Allen’s films (e.g. Another Woman, Shadows and Fog, Mighty Aphrodite, Everyone Says I Love You).

Voice Acting & Narration

Stiers had a rich and influential career as a voice actor, especially in animated films and documentary narration:

• In Disney films, he voiced Cogsworth in Beauty and the Beast (1991) and its sequels, Governor Ratcliffe (and Wiggins) in Pocahontas, Dr. Jumba Jookiba in the Lilo & Stitch franchise, Archdeacon in The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Fenton Q. Harcourt in Atlantis: The Lost Empire.

• He also voiced Kamaji in the English dub of Spirited Away.

• Beyond feature animation, he narrated documentaries (e.g. PBS American Experience) and voiced characters in video games (e.g. Myst V, Uru: Ages Beyond Myst).

Musical & Conducting Work

Stiers was deeply musically inclined, even though he had no formal classical music education early on:

• In his later years, he was resident conductor of the Newport Symphony Orchestra (Oregon) and guest-conducted many orchestras across the U.S.

• He helped found or support the Newport Symphony, and performed in conjunction with festivals such as the Ernest Bloch Music Festival.

• His interest in music reportedly stemmed from hearing a performance by conductor George Szell and the Cleveland Orchestra when he was younger; at Juilliard he often skipped acting classes to attend master classes in music.

Legacy, Recognition, & Personal Life

Recognition & Awards

• He received Emmy nominations (at least two) for his work on MASH*.

• In 2009, he was honored with the TV Land Impact Award for his lasting contributions to television.

• He was respected in both the acting and musical communities for his versatility and professionalism.

Personal Life & Later Years

• In 2009, Stiers publicly came out as gay, explaining that he had long been cautious due to professional concerns, particularly given his work in family-oriented media.

• He passed away on March 3, 2018, at his home in Newport, Oregon, of complications related to bladder cancer, at the age of 75.

• In his will, he left bequests to arts organizations including the Newport Symphony, the Newport Public Library, and the Oregon Coast Council for the Arts.

Enduring Influence

David Ogden Stiers is remembered for the rare combination of gravitas, adaptability, and voice mastery. He made an indelible mark in both live acting and animated voice work, leaving behind a body of work that continues to be appreciated by fans of television, animation, and classical performance.

Memorable Roles & Quotes

While Stiers was less frequently quoted compared to writers or philosophers, his performances and the characters he gave life to left memorable lines and lasting impressions. Below are a few notable aspects and lines from his roles:

• As Cogsworth (in Beauty and the Beast), one line often associated with the character (that Stiers delivered) is:

  “Flowers, chocolates, promises you don’t intend to keep …”
  This line is sometimes cited in reference to the character’s admonishings.

• His portrayal of Major Winchester carried lines filled with erudition, high culture, and at times biting criticism—often used as a foil to more irreverent characters in MASH*.

• As a voice actor, his distinctive tone and delivery imbued even small lines with personality, whether in Disney animations or documentary narration.

Though direct “famous quotes” by Stiers are less catalogued than for philosophers or poets, his characters’ spoken words—especially Cogsworth and Winchester—resonate in popular culture, and fans often remember his voice, cadence, and timing.

Lessons from His Life & Career

1. Versatility can sustain a long career.
   Stiers did not confine himself to one medium; he balanced stage, screen, voice work, and music. This diversification kept his creative life rich and allowed him to adapt as opportunities changed.

2. A voice (literally) is a powerful tool.
   His vocal control, nuance, and expressive tone became one of his greatest assets—enabling him to tackle narration, animation, and character acting.

3. Passion need not start with formal training.
   Though his early musical education was informal, his devotion led him to learn, perform, and eventually conduct major orchestras. Real progress often comes from following curiosity.

4. Take on challenging roles to define an identity.
   Stepping into Winchester’s shoes in MASH* was an opportunity to play against type and showcase depth—not just comedic foil, but conflicted, accomplished, scorned, and human.

5. Artistic integrity and personal authenticity matter.
   His decision later in life to come out publicly reflects a commitment to being true to himself—balancing career concerns with personal honesty.

6. Leaving a legacy involves more than performance.
   Through his support of local arts organizations, orchestras, and libraries, Stiers invested in sustaining cultural life beyond his own roles.

Conclusion

David Ogden Stiers was a singular talent whose contributions crossed the boundaries of acting, voice, music, and mentorship. From a refined, conflicted surgeon in MASH*, to beloved animated characters in Disney films, to conducting symphonies, he demonstrated that artistry need not be pigeonholed.

His life reminds us that the tools we refine—our voice, curiosity, versatility, and integrity—can open more doors than a single defining role. Though he is no longer with us, his voice echoes in screens, film scores, concert halls, and in the memories of those who cherish the heights and subtleties of performance.