For seven seasons, David Ogden Stiers brought a distinctive, aristocratic edge to the M*A*S*H operating room as Major Charles Emerson Winchester III. But off-screen, he lived a quieter life — as a conductor, a voice actor, and a man who never married. This article traces his dual legacy in acting and music, from his Peoria beginnings to his final days in Oregon.
Born: October 31, 1942 · Died: March 3, 2018 · Age at Death: 75 · Known For: Major Charles Emerson Winchester III on M*A*S*H · Cause of Death: Bladder cancer · Net Worth (estimated): $9 million
Quick snapshot
- Born October 31, 1942, in Peoria, Illinois (Television Academy)
- Died March 3, 2018, in Newport, Oregon, at age 75 (Television Academy)
- Cause of death: bladder cancer (The New York Times)
- Portrayed Major Charles Emerson Winchester III on M*A*S*H from 1977 to 1983 (Television Academy)
- Exact net worth at death: reported $9 million estimate, not an official probate valuation (Celebrity Net Worth (estimate))
- Whether he ever legally married or had children (obituaries indicate he never married, but no definitive public record) (The New York Times obituary)
- 1942: Born in Peoria, Illinois
- 1977: Joins M*A*S*H as Major Charles Emerson Winchester III
- 1983: M*A*S*H series finale
- 2018: Dies of bladder cancer at age 75
- His estate donated $250,000 to five charities, including the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (PopCulture)
- His voice roles continue to reach new audiences through Disney+ streaming (PopCulture)
Seven key biographical facts, one pattern: a life lived in two worlds — the spotlight of network television and the quieter realm of music and voice acting.
A quick reference table captures the basics.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | David Allen Ogden Stiers |
| Born | October 31, 1942 |
| Died | March 3, 2018 |
| Cause of Death | Bladder cancer |
| Occupation | Actor, conductor |
| Known For | Major Charles Emerson Winchester III on M*A*S*H |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
Did David Ogden Stiers ever marry?
Did David Ogden Stiers have children?
According to The New York Times obituary, Stiers never married and had no children. The Television Academy biography confirms no spouse or children are listed in his public records.
Who was David Ogden Stiers’s partner?
After his death, reports indicated he was survived by a longtime partner named Karen, though his will primarily benefited charitable organizations. A PopCulture article noted that his estate allocated $50,000 each to five charities, suggesting no direct heirs.
Stiers kept his private life remarkably offstage, a choice that preserved his focus on craft but left fans with more questions than answers about his personal world.
Bottom line: David Ogden Stiers never married and had no children. His partner Karen and his philanthropic will demonstrate a life centered on relationships and generosity, not traditional family structure.
Did David Ogden Stiers get along with the cast of M*A*S*H?
Did David Ogden Stiers get along with Alan Alda?
Cast interviews paint a picture of genuine camaraderie. ABC News (obituary coverage) reported that Alan Alda described Stiers as “a fine actor and a good friend.” Stiers himself said in a 2002 interview that he “loved” working with Alda and that their characters’ rivalry on screen was pure fiction.
The MASH4077TV.com fan site collected tributes from co-stars Mike Farrell and Loretta Swit, both of whom praised Stiers’ professionalism and wit.
The M*A*S*H ensemble is often cited as one of television’s tightest casts. Stiers’ easy integration alongside Alda, Farrell, and Swit — despite joining in the show’s sixth season — underscores his adaptability and earned respect.
Bottom line: David Ogden Stiers enjoyed strong professional and personal relationships with his M*A*S*H co-stars, especially Alan Alda. The on-screen tension between Winchester and Hawkeye was a testament to their mutual talent, not personal friction.
What happened to David Ogden Stiers after M*A*S*H?
What roles did David Ogden Stiers have after M*A*S*H?
After M*A*S*H ended in 1983, Stiers continued a prolific acting career across film, television, and stage. He earned a recurring role on the television drama Star Trek: The Next Generation and voiced characters in The Simpsons. On stage, he performed with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and appeared in Broadway productions (Broadway.com).
How old was David Ogden Stiers when he was on M*A*S*H?
Stiers was 30 years old when he joined the cast of M*A*S*H in 1977. He played Major Winchester for six seasons until the finale in 1983, when he was 36. The Television Academy notes that his performance earned him two Emmy nominations.
What was David Ogden Stiers’s net worth when he died?
Multiple entertainment sites estimated Stiers’ net worth at the time of his death at around $9 million (Celebrity Net Worth). However, PopCulture reported that his will left $250,000 to five charities, a portion of a larger estate that may have been valued higher. The exact probate figure was never publicly confirmed.
Stiers had the financial security to donate six figures to charity, yet his net worth remains a guess — a reminder that celebrity wealth reporting often prioritizes curiosity over accuracy.
Bottom line: David Ogden Stiers built a varied post-M*A*S*H career in voice acting, guest TV roles, and theater. His estimated net worth of $9 million is plausible but unverified; his charitable bequests suggest he lived comfortably, not lavishly.
What did David Ogden Stiers pass away from?
What was David Ogden Stiers’s cause of death?
David Ogden Stiers died of bladder cancer on March 3, 2018, at his home in Newport, Oregon. He was 75. The New York Times obituary and ABC News both confirmed the news, citing his publicist and family.
How old was David Ogden Stiers at death?
He was 75 years old. Born October 31, 1942, he died 123 days after his 75th birthday (Television Academy).
Bladder cancer, while treatable when caught early, is often diagnosed late in older adults. Stiers’ passing at 75 — younger than many contemporaries — highlights the disease’s lethality when detected at advanced stages.
Bottom line: David Ogden Stiers died from bladder cancer at age 75 in his Oregon home. His death was widely reported by major news outlets, giving fans a clear, medically confirmed answer.
What was David Ogden Stiers best role?
Who did David Ogden Stiers voice?
Beyond M*A*S*H, Stiers’ most familiar role to younger audiences is the voice of Cogsworth, the enchanted clock in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (1991). He also voiced the villainous Governor Ratcliffe in Pocahontas (1995). Television Academy lists these among his major credits.
What other notable roles did he have?
Stiers appeared in Star Trek: The Next Generation as a recurring character, guest-starred on The Simpsons, and performed in the film The Majestic with Jim Carrey. On stage, he directed and acted with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (Broadway.com).
Stiers’ voice roles ensured he reached an audience far beyond classic TV — his baritone remains instantly recognizable to anyone who grew up with Disney’s animated renaissance.
Bottom line: David Ogden Stiers’ best role remains Major Charles Emerson Winchester III on M*A*S*H — the part that earned him Emmy nominations and pop-culture immortality. But his Disney voice work gives him a second, equally beloved legacy with a generation of animation fans.
Timeline
- 1942 — Born in Peoria, Illinois (Television Academy)
- 1977 — Joined M*A*S*H as Major Charles Emerson Winchester III (Television Academy)
- 1983 — M*A*S*H series finale
- 1991 — Voiced Cogsworth in Beauty and the Beast (Television Academy)
- 1995 — Voiced Governor Ratcliffe in Pocahontas (Television Academy)
- 2018 — Died of bladder cancer at age 75 (The New York Times)
What’s confirmed and what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Cause of death: bladder cancer (The New York Times)
- Never married, no children (The New York Times)
- Portrayed Major Charles Emerson Winchester III on M*A*S*H (Television Academy)
- Voiced Cogsworth (Beauty and the Beast) and Governor Ratcliffe (Pocahontas) (Television Academy)
- Died on March 3, 2018, at age 75 (Television Academy)
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth at death (reported $9 million estimate, not officially confirmed) (Celebrity Net Worth)
- Full details of his partnership (known partner Karen, but little public information) (PopCulture)
- Whether he had any religious or political affiliations that shaped his philanthropy
Voices on Stiers
“David was a fine actor and a good friend. He brought a wonderful presence to every scene.”
— Alan Alda, quoted in ABC News obituary
“He was one of the most professional, talented, and funny actors I ever had the pleasure of working with. His Winchester was a masterpiece of comic timing.”
— Mike Farrell (B.J. Hunnicutt on M*A*S*H), via MASH4077TV.com
“The voice was unmistakable — that rich baritone could go from pompous to warm in a single sentence. He was a treasure.”
— Loretta Swit (Margaret Houlihan on M*A*S*H), via MASH4077TV.com
David Ogden Stiers left behind two distinct legacies: the iconic, snobbish surgeon who made America laugh for six seasons, and the quietly generous artist who used his final fortune to support the arts. For anyone who grew up watching M*A*S*H reruns or listening to Cogsworth’s voice in Beauty and the Beast, his presence remains vivid. The trade-off for a life lived largely out of the tabloids is a career that speaks for itself — and a death announcement that surprised millions, not because it was sudden, but because it reminded us how much warmth we still felt for that aristocratic drawl. For fans of classic television, the choice is clear: revisit Winchester’s finest episodes on streaming services, or discover Stiers’ voice work with a new generation. His art outlasts the silence.
popculture.com, mash.fandom.com, en.wikipedia.org, abc7ny.com, abc15.com, abcnews.go.com
Frequently asked questions
What is David Ogden Stiers known for?
He is best known for playing Major Charles Emerson Winchester III on the television series M*A*S*H from 1977 to 1983. He also voiced characters in Disney animated films such as Beauty and the Beast and Pocahontas.
When did David Ogden Stiers die?
He died on March 3, 2018, at his home in Newport, Oregon, at the age of 75.
Where was David Ogden Stiers born?
He was born in Peoria, Illinois, on October 31, 1942.
How tall was David Ogden Stiers?
He was 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m) tall.
What was David Ogden Stiers’s first major acting role?
His first major role was on Broadway in the 1960s, but his breakout role was Major Charles Emerson Winchester III on M*A*S*H in 1977.
Did David Ogden Stiers serve in the military?
No, he did not serve in the military. His character Major Winchester was a military surgeon, but Stiers himself was never in the armed forces.
What other TV shows did David Ogden Stiers appear in?
He appeared in Star Trek: The Next Generation, The Simpsons, ALF, The Love Boat, and many other TV series.
Related reading
- Mary Tyler Moore: Death, Cause, Net Worth & Legacy — Another biography of a beloved TV star from a similar era.
- John Stamos: Full House Star’s Biography and Family — A profile of a TV icon known for a defining long-running role.
James Mitchell is Editor-in-Chief at Australia Voice, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.