M*A*S*H star comes out

[Ian David]

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."

<snip>

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."



Actor David Ogden Stiers attends the film premiere of 'The Teacher's Pet' at the El Capitan Theatre on January 11, 2004 in Hollywood, California. (Frederick M. Brown, Getty Images)

More:
http://www.kjrh.com/entertainment/story/M-A-S-H-star-comes-out/UwsahuU6CEiiSBbHUI6ymw.cspx

[rcrush]

1. So thats where I've seen him before.

I vaguely remember him from that one guest role he did on Star Trek The Next Generation. I never could place where I've seen him before.

[Ian David]

2. You know who else was in MASH?

[rcrush]

4. ! LONDO

I've never seen MASH before LOL

[SPedigrees]

11. Was Londo Radar??

[Ian David]

12. No, Londo had a part in a special 2-part episode.

IIRC, he was court martialing Klinger for something.

[SPedigrees]

13. Ah. Thanks.

[slampoet]

3. Good for him and best of luck.

PS- thanks for the laughs.

[xxqqqzme]

5. I hope you do find someone M. Stiers.

And may you be happy in the relationship.

[Ian David]

6. Anyone except Klinger. n/t

[checks-n-balances]

14. That's a nice thought, xxqqqzme

It takes a lot of guts to come out like that; all the best to him!

[kestrel91316]

7. No big surprise there.

[Furry Dance]

8. I thought he came out years ago

[slay]

9. Charles Emerson Winchester III

Couple of cool clips of Charles (David) from MASH. Who woulda thought he could replace a character like Frank so well. Good for David!

Charles Emerson Winchester III -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjnRifiB21w

[nichomachus]

10. I never knew he was "in"

I just always assumed . . . . . he buried my gaydar needle in the red from the get-go.

[Raejeanowl]

15. Maybe I'm In The Minority Again

I never wondered about his sexuality, period. But I'm glad he's finally interested in "settling down."

[Left Is Write]

16. I guess I never wondered either...

but I've always liked him. :)

[hedgehog]

17. Did I dream that I heard that Jamie Farr and Gary Burghoff married each other,

or was I the victim of a hoax and the last person to find out about it?