On a day when Hollywood is celebrating its biggest stars, we have some sad news to report. Actor David Ogden Stiers has died at the age of 75 at his home in Oregon following a battle with bladder cancer. Best known as the lovably pompous Major Charles Emerson Winchester III on the television series M*A*S*H* (on which he appeared from 1977 to its beloved finale in 1983), Stiers also appeared on screen in guest appearances on shows like The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Murder, She Wrote, and Frasier (among many others). When not appearing in front of the camera, he could regularly be heard in several high-profile voiceover roles, most notably as Cogsworth in Disney’s 1991 version of Beauty as the Beast. (He also lent his distinguished elocution to several of the company’s other animated features, including The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Pocahontas).
A true renaissance man, the Julliard alumnus also — like his M*A*S*H* character — had a passion for music, guest conducting orchestras around the world. His impact on popular culture is immeasurable, and we will be much missed.
Goodbye, farewell, and amen.