David Ogden Stiers
Three-time Emmy nominee David Ogden Stiers was walking-talking-acting-and singing proof of the benefits of classical theater training. Being in the right place at the right time did not hurt the TV veteran actor either. His involvement with San Francisco comedy in the late '60s, New York theater in the early '70s and quality-driven TV comedies of the late '70s gave him a broad foundation on which to craft a versatile career in the performing arts. His early, high-profile role as the erudite Dr. Charles Winchester on M*A*S*H (CBS, 1972-1983) may have laid the groundwork for decades of playing doctors, lawyers, judges, and politicians, but his credits extended far beyond that to include eloquent voice work in documentaries and dramatic characters in classic animated children's films. The multi-talent also enjoyed an additional career as a professional conductor with symphony orchestras around the country. David Ogden Stiers died at his home in Newport, Oregon of complications from bladder cancer on March 3, 2018. He was 75 years old.