M*A*S*H Star Ogden Stiers Comes Out
6 May 2009 5:15 AM, PDT

M*A*S*H star David Ogden Stiers has come out as gay - after years of fearing he would be denied roles because of his sexuality.

The actor first tasted fame as Major Charles Winchester on the hit TV comedy before finding steady work as a voice actor in several Disney projects, including Beauty And The Beast and Pocahontas.

But throughout his career, he was warned he risked losing work if he came out as a gay man.

He tells the Gossip Boy blog, "From the late 1980s until about seven or eight years ago, you would find certain individuals coming up to you, me, and advocating the position that since we were doing family fare that it would be best were the actors to maintain a certain palatability to parents.

"These parties likely had heard rumors or harbored suspicions about me and wanted to make sure no embarrassing incidents were forthcoming."

But he insists his reasons for coming out now, at the age of 66, have nothing to do with his profession - he wants to find a life partner.

Stiers adds: "I could claim noble reasons as coming out in order to move gay rights forward, but I must admit it is for far more selfish reasons. Now is the time I wish to find someone and I do not desire to force any potential partner to live a life of extreme discretion for me."

-IMDB News

I am in a state of Shock over this news

I'm not - it doesn't surprise me at all.

Newsflash for Dave -


I knew you were back in the 70s.


LOL - Honestly, it cracks me up when some of these guys come out of the closet like it was a big huge secret. Kinda always knew you were David - just look at your work on M*A*S*H alone.

Newsflash for Dave -


I knew you were back in the 70s.


LOL - Honestly, it cracks me up when some of these guys come out of the closet like it was a big huge secret. Kinda always knew you were David - just look at your work on M*A*S*H alone.
As my mom said about Richard Chamberlain when he came out: "I think he was the last to know!"

His portrayal of Winchester was always on the fey/foppish side, but I never really considered it. I've seen him play pompous straight jerks a plenty and it just never crossed my mind.

Damn, I was just about to post this and you beat me to it! Grr! :mad: LOL ;)


It surprised me a little, but looking back I can totally see it. More power to him for coming out :)

http://www.afterelton.com/people/2009/5/davidogdenstiers

He played a gay man on Frasier, where were you all?

He played a gay man on Frasier, where were you all?


A lot of straight actors play gay parts, that really doesn't mean anything.

He played a gay man on Frasier, where were you all?
When did he appear on Frasier?

He played Hester's lab partner. Niles and Frasier thought he was their real dad.

I never really thought about whether he was gay or straight. And you know what? It really doesn't matter.

He did great work on M*A*S*H and in other shows and movies. That's all that counts.

Yes I remember when David was on Frasier but I forgot the name of the episode that he was in.

I never really thought about whether he was gay or straight. And you know what? It really doesn't matter.

He did great work on M*A*S*H and in other shows and movies. That's all that counts.
I know - personally I don't care one way or the other.

He played Hester's lab partner. Niles and Frasier thought he was their real dad.
Wow, I don't even remember that episode. Was it in one of the later seasons?

I know - personally I don't care one way or the other.

When it came out that David Hyde-Pierce was gay, I just shrugged. I don't care about celebrities' private lives -- as long as they give a good performance and I enjoy it, that's all that matters to me.

I never really thought about it, but it makes sense. I read this right before I watched MASH and mow I feel as if it should have been completely obvious to me.

When it came out that David Hyde-Pierce was gay, I just shrugged. I don't care about celebrities' private lives -- as long as they give a good performance and I enjoy it, that's all that matters to me.

I agree. Some one's personal life is up to them. Who am I to judge some one based on their life styles?

I agree. Some one's personal life is up to them. Who am I to judge some one based on their life styles?

It's time for me to confess...I am a homo-sapien.

It's time for me to confess...I am a homo-sapien.
:rofl:

When it came out that David Hyde-Pierce was gay, I just shrugged. I don't care about celebrities' private lives -- as long as they give a good performance and I enjoy it, that's all that matters to me.
Same here.

It's time for me to confess...I am a homo-sapien.
OMG!! So am I!! XD

so THAT'S who it is! I saw the headline on my AOL homepage "MASH ACTOR ADMITS TO BEING GAY" but I didn't read the article, so I was wondering who it is.

boy; first George Takei from "STAR TREK" and now this-I wonder how many others are out there that haven't come out of the closet.

Almost make me want to come out of a closet and I'm not gay ! :crazy: What ??? C'mon, it's the thing to do these days.

I never really thought about whether he was gay or straight. And you know what? It really doesn't matter.

He did great work on M*A*S*H and in other shows and movies. That's all that counts.

Exactly. I could care less whether a celebrity is gay or straight. I don't care about the private lives of celebrities, period. David is a terrific actor and that's all I care about.

Wow! I had no idea.

Link (http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/Movies/Story?id=7518323&page=1)

In the twilight of his career, "M*A*S*H" actor David Ogden Stiers has finally come out, saying he's no longer afraid to be gay.

In a recent interview, the Emmy-nominated actor, 66, told the Oklahoma City blog gossip-boy.com, "I am [gay]. Very proud to be so."

Ogden Stiers joined the cast of "M*A*S*H" in 1977 as the arrogant but charming aristocrat Charles Emerson Winchester III. In addition to starring in the sitcom, he voiced the characters of a number of Disney movies, including Cogsworth in "Beauty and the Beast" and the Archdeacon in "The Hunchback of Notre Dame."

The actor said he kept his homosexuality under wraps for years because he feared coming out would hurt his career. But being that he has not experienced any anti-gay discrimination in the movie industry recently, Ogden Stiers is reconsidering what exactly made him stay in the closet for so long.

"I haven't witnessed such things occurring in a long, long time," he said about anti-gay discrimination, adding that his personal concerns may have clouded his views. "I should say in regards to this that many of my fears were in modern times self-invented. I've been working internally on whether they were the problem, or if I just continued using them as an excuse."

He said he thought staying quiet about his sexuality would keep his income secure.

"I enjoy working, and even though many have this idealistic belief that the entertainment industry and studios like Walt Disney are gay friendly," they weren't always, he said. "For the most part they are, but that doesn't mean for them that business does not come first. It's a matter of economics. ... A lot of my income has been derived from voicing Disney and family programming."

Ogden Stiers also added that the flamboyant nature of some of his animated roles contributed to his decision to hide his sexuality.

"Cogsworth, the character I did on 'Beauty and the Beast,' could be a bit flamboyant onscreen, because basically, he is a cartoon," he said. "But they didn't want Cogsworth to become Disney's gay character, because it got around a gay man was playing him."

Disney is the parent company of ABC News. Asked to respond to Ogden Stiers' comments, a Disney Studio spokesperson said, "Casting decisions are made solely on the basis of who is the best actor or actress for any given role."

What's Odgen Stiers' impetus for coming out now? He's hoping to settle down with someone and make their romance public.

Ogden Stiers is the latest in a long line of actors to come out late in their careers, though not all of them have been quite as outspoken.

"Frasier" star David Hyde Pierce, 50, was prodded out of the closet in 2007 after an Associated Press article mentioned his partner, Brian Hargrove, and the blog AfterElton.com followed up with Pierce to confirm that he was in fact gay. The actor had previously declined to make any mention about his personal life.

"Lord of the Rings" and "X-Men" star Sir Ian McKellen, 69, revealed he was gay on British radio in 1988 and later said he wished he had come out sooner. He advised others in Hollywood to do the same.


"By the time I came out, I was in my late 40s, and I was fed up with worrying about what other people thought, and confident enough in my career to suspect that it wasn't going to make any difference at all. I was absolutely wrong," he told WENN in 2005. "I became a better actor, and my film career took off in a way that I couldn't have expected. You can't lie about something so central to yourself without harming yourself."

"Doogie Howser, M.D." and "How I Met Your Mother" star Neil Patrick Harris, 35, also made a big splash when he came out of the closet.

"I am happy to dispel any rumors or misconceptions and am quite proud to say that I am a very content gay man living my life to the fullest and feel most fortunate to be working with wonderful people in the business I love," he told People magazine in 2006.

"I wish to spend my life's twilight being just who I am," he said. "I could claim noble reasons as coming out in order to move gay rights forward, but I must admit it is for far more selfish reasons. Now is the time I wish to find someone, and I do not desire to force any potential partner to live a life of extreme discretion with me."

I understand why he waited to come out, but why wait until you're 66 years old to start looking for a life partner? :confused:

I understand why he waited to come out, but why wait until you're 66 years old to start looking for a life partner? :confused:
You could ask some straight people the same thing. :lol:

The only thing that surprised me about this story was his age. I thought he was at least 5-10 years older than he actually is. :eek: :lol:

The only thing that surprised me about this story was his age. I thought he was at least 5-10 years older than he actually is. :eek: :lol:
I think people have always thought David was older than he really is because he went bald at such a young age.

You could ask some straight people the same thing. :lol:

This is true, very true! :lol:

This is true, very true! :lol:
Like...um...ME. :seeya: But I'm less than half of 66, so I guess it's OK. :lol:

Like...um...ME. :seeya: But I'm less than half of 66, so I guess it's OK. :lol:

This is OT, but I had a dream last night that I went to Wayne's house, knocked on the door and told him to divorce his wife Amy and marry me and he said, "Ok." :lol: ;) ;)

This is OT, but I had a dream last night that I went to Wayne's house, knocked on the door and told him to divorce his wife Amy and marry me and he said, "Ok." :lol: ;) ;)
There you go. I still don't know whether or not Gregory Sierra is single, but if he is...WATCH OUT!! ;) :D

I think people have always thought David was older than he really is because he went bald at such a young age.
For me, it's not the bald thing. He always just seemed be be older than he really is - I can't put my finger on it exactly.

I hear that next week, Mike Farrell is going to come out as a closet conservative.

I hear that next week, Mike Farrell is going to come out as a closet conservative.
now that would be shocking!!

Not going to Happen since he is Married to Coach Actress Shelley Fabares.

now that would be shocking!!
I know I'd be shocked. :faint: :lol:

I hear that next week, Mike Farrell is going to come out as a closet conservative.

:lol: That'll be the day ;)

:lol: That'll be the day ;)
That'll be the day, just like when Rush Limbaugh comes out as a liberal. :lol:

:lol: This is OT, but I had a dream last night that I went to Wayne's house, knocked on the door and told him to divorce his wife Amy and marry me and he said, "Ok." :lol: ;) ;)

:lol:

Too bad it was only a dream ;)

I hear that next week, Mike Farrell is going to come out as a closet conservative.
Don't forget Alan! :lol:

What was he doing in a closet?

What was he doing in a closet?

Hiding from the war ;)

Hiding from the war ;)


:rofl: :brent

Hiding from the war ;)
:lol: :rofl:

Odd, I've seen Maj. Winchester come out of the O.R., mess tent, the Swamp and Latrine but don't think I ever saw him come out of a closet. Which episode was that in ? ;)

Odd, I've seen Maj. Winchester come out of the O.R., mess tent, the Swamp and Latrine but don't think I ever saw him come out of a closet. Which episode was that in ? ;)
That scene was cut. :lol:

Oh wait... I did see Cpl. Klinger come out of a closet once !

Oh wait... I did see Cpl. Klinger come out of a closet once !
I guess that explains the dresses!!! :lol:

One of my favorite scenes is when Hot Lips is complaining loudly to Colonel Blake about how Hawkeye and Trapper have tried to molest every nurse in the camp.

Trapper responds, "Well, only the female ones."

Hawkeye retorts, "Speak for yourself."

Oh wait... I did see Cpl. Klinger come out of a closet once !

don't forget, Hawkeye and Trapper did force General Iron Guts Kelley out of the closet to.

don't forget, Hawkeye and Trapper did force General Iron Guts Kelley out of the closet to.

Damn.... they're all coming out of the woodwork !

The weird thing is that they all seem to be coming out of Maragret's closet, even Frank came out of her closet!

This thread is getting pretty hilarious!

Wow ! I just happened to notice this. Look at the last 2 pictures of Hot Lips closet and you'll notice the door is on a different side in each one !

Wow ! I just happened to notice this. Look at the last 2 pictures of Hot Lips closet and you'll notice the door is on a different side in each one !
Wow, never noticed that before. Nice catch there.

Everyone came out of Margaret's closet except Margaret, the one who needed to most ;) :lol:

Everyone came out of Margaret's closet except Margaret, the one who needed to most ;) :lol:
OUCH. :eek: :lol:

Wow, never noticed that before. Nice catch there.

Sometimes the things you aren't looking for are the ones you see ! :cool:

This reminds me of that South Park episode where they were singing for the guy to come out of the closet. :lol:

Can't remember what it was though. Haven't watch SP in years.

The weird thing is that they all seem to be coming out of Maragret's closet, even Frank came out of her closet!

There were hints that Frank had weird little fetishes when he was alone with Margaret.

We sure have some sick and twisted minds here at SO...and I love it!! :rofl:

We sure have some sick and twisted minds here at SO...and I love it!! :rofl:


Hawkeye: Your mind is in the gutter!
Trapper: I can't help it, it's attached to my body ;)

And to think all this started over CEW / DOS ! Does it get any better I ask ya ? :D

Hawkeye: Your mind is in the gutter!
Trapper: I can't help it, it's attached to my body ;)
:cool: :D

In one episode, Margaret (I think) referred to Klinger as "a pervert."

Trapper defended him, saying "No he isn't. I attend all the meetings and he's never there."

In one episode, Margaret (I think) referred to Klinger as "a pervert."

Trapper defended him, saying "No he isn't. I attend all the meetings and he's never there."


Love that quote! :lol:

Trapper: Klinger's not a pervet!
Margaret: How do you know?
Trapper: Because I'm one and he's never at the meetings.

I do not remember Margaret calling Klinger a Pervert.

I do not remember Margaret calling Klinger a Pervert.


It was in the episode "For Want of a Boot" :)

It was in the episode "For Want of a Boot" :)
Lu, Wayne looks like an alien in that avatar. No offense - I think it's the lighting. :eek: :lol:

Lu, Wayne looks like an alien in that avatar. No offense - I think it's the lighting. :eek: :lol:


:lol: I love the colors I used for that, but maybe I should've picked a different picture. I'll have to come up with something else. ;)

:lol: I love the colors I used for that, but maybe I should've picked a different picture. I'll have to come up with something else. ;)
You'll find the right combo, I know. :D

You'll find the right combo, I know. :D


How about this one? ;)

How about this one? ;)
That's much better. ;)

Hey, at least they didn't run them up the flag-pole like they did with poor Hot Lips ! :eek:

Hey, at least they didn't run them up the flag-pole like they did with poor Hot Lips ! :eek:


They just like to steel my stuff :lol: ;)

Damn, I was just about to post this and you beat me to it! Grr! :mad: LOL ;)


It surprised me a little, but looking back I can totally see it. More power to him for coming out :)

http://www.afterelton.com/people/2009/5/davidogdenstiers
I don't agree at all Lulu (Romans 1:21-27)!

I don't agree at all Lulu (Romans 1:21-27)!

Ah, another Catholic here. I'm familiar with that quote, and you do have a point. There was a reason that both men and women were created. BUT, I also believe that people are entitled to their own lifestyle as long as it does not harm others. Besides, I wouldn't want others forcing their ideas and beliefs on me so it would be very hipocritical of me to tell some one else how to live.