And you thought Klinger (Jamie Farr) was the Gay one! MASH star, David Ogden Stiers has come out of the closet! He played the arrogant Charles Emerson Winchester III on MASH in 1977. Link 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."Proud to be Gay" says 66yo veteran actor. Good for you!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."
Better late than never!
It is wonderful to see these stars you grew up with on American TV has finally embraced who they are and be puiblic about it.
Yes, Coming Out back in 1977 would be very damaging to his career. His MASH character would not have survived the scrutiny of his private life.
There wil be a day when being a Gay celebrity would not be an issue anymore and would not negatively impact your career.
Best to you David.
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." LinkMay you find your true love!
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Fortunately, the world is changing!
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