David Ogden Stiers: M*A*S*H Star, Death & Handshake

Few television characters are as perfectly insufferable as Major Charles Emerson Winchester III — and that’s exactly why David Ogden Stiers remains unforgettable. Behind the M*A*S*H surgical tent, Stiers lived a private life full of unanswered questions, from his refusal to shake a VIP’s hand to his quiet battle with bladder cancer. He died at his Oregon home on March 3, 2018, leaving a legacy that extends far beyond his Emmy-nominated role.

Born: October 31, 1942 ·
Died: March 3, 2018 ·
Known For: Role as Charles Emerson Winchester III on M*A*S*H ·
Age at Death: 75 ·
Cause of Death: Bladder cancer

Ten key facts about David Ogden Stiers, from birth to final role.

Did Alan Alda like David Ogden Stiers?

What was the professional relationship between Alda and Stiers?

• Alan Alda publicly remembered Stiers with respect. In an obituary, The New York Times (leading U.S. news outlet) noted that Alda described Stiers as “a wonderful actor and a dear friend.”
• No confirmed long-term feud between the two has ever been reported by credible sources.

Which actor did Alan Alda dislike on M*A*S*H?

• Rumors about Alda disliking a cast member persist, but no named, verifiable source exists linking Alda to a specific feud with Stiers. According to MeTV (classic TV network), Stiers himself felt the need to step away from the show’s fame—a decision he made personally, not because of tensions.

Did David Ogden Stiers ever marry?

Did David Ogden Stiers have a partner?

• Stiers never married and had no children. This is consistently reported across obituaries and biographies, including by The New York Times.
• He was intensely private about his personal life, and no public records confirm any long-term partner or romantic relationship.

Why did David Ogden Stiers’s family not like him?

• Rumors of strained family relationships exist but are unverified. No credible source has confirmed any specific family discord. According to Legacy.com (obituary archive), his death was mourned by his surviving siblings.

Did David Ogden Stiers’s mother commit adultery?

• This allegation is entirely unsubstantiated. No reliable source—neither in his obituaries nor in any verified interview—references such a claim. It appears to be an artifact of online rumor.

The pattern: Stiers kept his private life locked down tight. What little we know comes from official records and rare interviews. The vacuum has been filled with speculation, but none of it is confirmed.

Whose hand did David Ogden Stiers refuse to shake?

What led to the handshake refusal?

• The widely circulated anecdote holds that Stiers refused to shake the hand of a visiting VIP who had ignored a fellow cast member, reportedly Kellye Nakahara (according to a social media post).
• Another Facebook group post repeats the story, placing the event on the M*A*S*H set and framing it as an act of solidarity.

Was the incident on the set of M*A*S*H?

• Yes, the anecdote consistently places the handshake refusal on the M*A*S*H set during a taping. The identity of the VIP is not confirmed; some speculate it was a U.S. Senator, but no primary source corroborates this.

What happened to David Ogden Stiers?

What caused David Ogden Stiers’s death?

• Stiers died of bladder cancer. Both The New York Times and ABC7 New York reported the cause as bladder cancer.
• Legacy.com summarized that he died following a battle with the disease.

Where and when did David Ogden Stiers die?

• He died at his home in Newport, Oregon, on March 3, 2018, at age 75. The announcement was made by his agent, Mitchell K. Stubbs, via email and Twitter, per The New York Times.

What was David Ogden Stiers’s role on M*A*S*H?

How did Stiers join the cast of M*A*S*H?

• Stiers joined the cast in 1977, taking over the role of Major Charles Emerson Winchester III after Larry Linville’s departure. The New York Times notes that his character was the snobbish, classically trained surgeon who became a foil to Hawkeye and Trapper.
• He remained on the show until its finale in 1983.

What other notable roles did David Ogden Stiers have?

• Outside M*A*S*H, Stiers became a sought-after voice actor for Disney, lending his baritone voice to characters in Pocahontas (Governor Ratcliffe), Beauty and the Beast, and Lilo & Stitch.
• He also worked as a guest conductor for over 70 orchestras worldwide, a little-known passion that he described in a 2012 interview with DelmarvaLife (local Delaware TV archive).

Timeline signal

Key events in David Ogden Stiers’ life, as reported by verified sources.

• 1942 – Born on October 31 in Peoria, Illinois (Broadway.com)
• 1974 – Originated role of Feldman in The Magic Show on Broadway
• 1977 – Joined cast of M*A*S*H as Major Charles Emerson Winchester III (The New York Times)
• 1983 – M*A*S*H series finale
• Mid-1980s – Began extensive voice acting work for Disney
• 2018 – Died on March 3 at age 75 (ABC7 New York)

Quotes & perspectives

“It was imperative that I step away from M*A*S*H fame.”

— David Ogden Stiers, as reported by MeTV (classic TV network)

“He died peacefully at his home.”

— Mitchell K. Stubbs, Stiers’ agent, via The New York Times

The picture that emerges is of a man who valued privacy above all. Stiers crafted a rich, varied career but let very little of his personal life become public. For fans wondering about the gaps, the honest answer is: the facts simply aren’t there.

Related reading

• Connie Francis: The Life, Tragedy, and Legacy of a 1960s Star
• David Lynch: Cause of Death, LGBTQ Legacy, Irish Roots & Health

Frequently asked questions