David Ogden Stiers Comes Out Of The Closet - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 05-06-2009, 08:18 AM

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

Scoobiedoo30 · 05-06-2009, 11:15 AM

I am in a state of Shock over this news

catlover79 · 05-06-2009, 11:40 AM

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

TripperFan · 05-06-2009, 01:36 PM

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.

catlover79 · 05-06-2009, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TripperFan

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!"

Jude The Obscure · 05-06-2009, 01:58 PM

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.

LuLu Rogers · 05-06-2009, 02:28 PM

Damn, I was just about to post this and you beat me to it! Grr!

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/200...vidogdenstiers

Chocolate Moose · 05-06-2009, 02:52 PM

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

LuLu Rogers · 05-06-2009, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chocolate Moose

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.

catlover79 · 05-06-2009, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chocolate Moose

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

When did he appear on Frasier?

Chocolate Moose · 05-06-2009, 04:55 PM

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

Dr. Thong · 05-06-2009, 07:02 PM

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.

Scoobiedoo30 · 05-06-2009, 07:04 PM

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

catlover79 · 05-06-2009, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

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.

catlover79 · 05-06-2009, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chocolate Moose

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?

05-06-2009, 08:18 AM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,127	David Ogden Stiers Comes Out Of The Closet MASH* Star Ogden Stiers Comes Out 6 May 2009 5:15 AM, PDT MASH* 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

05-06-2009, 11:15 AM	#2
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	I am in a state of Shock over this news
	__________________ Who Dat

05-06-2009, 11:40 AM	#3
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	I'm not - it doesn't surprise me at all.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

05-06-2009, 01:36 PM	#4
TripperFan In God's Arms Now Forum Star Join Date: Sep 14, 2003 Location: Heartbreak Ridge Posts: 12,086	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 MAS*H alone.
	__________________ If I don't see you in this world, I'll meet you in the next one.....don't be late James Marshall Hendrix Voodoo Chile The Forum Legend formerly known as TripperFan "religion is for people who are afraid of hell--spirituality is for people who have been through hell"---anonymous

05-06-2009, 02:28 PM	#7
LuLu Rogers Colonel Brandon Forum Fanatic Join Date: Mar 23, 2004 Location: The Hogwarts Dungeons Posts: 11,013	Damn, I was just about to post this and you beat me to it! Grr! 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/200...vidogdenstiers
	__________________ -Lauren- "I can teach you how to bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses. I can tell you how to bottle fame, brew glory, and even put a stopper in death."-Professor Severus Snape

05-06-2009, 01:58 PM	#6
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,520	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.

05-06-2009, 02:52 PM	#8
Chocolate Moose Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 21, 2007 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 4,899	He played a gay man on Frasier, where were you all?
	__________________ How long a minute is, depends on what side of the bathroom door you're on.

05-06-2009, 04:55 PM	#11
Chocolate Moose Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 21, 2007 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 4,899	He played Hester's lab partner. Niles and Frasier thought he was their real dad.

05-06-2009, 07:02 PM	#12
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	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 MASH* and in other shows and movies. That's all that counts.
	__________________ "Sunday has been cancelled due to lack of interest. That is all."

05-06-2009, 07:04 PM	#13
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	Yes I remember when David was on Frasier but I forgot the name of the episode that he was in.