Actor David Ogden Stiers has died at age 75. His work on the classic TV series, "M*A*S*H" installed him in television history. But he dedicated years to the arts scene in Oregon, where he came of age and lived out his last years.
Born in Illinois, Stiers arrived in Eugene as a teenager, graduating from North Eugene High School and attending the University of Oregon. Classically trained at the Juilliard School and the Houseman Acting Company, he launched into films with voice-over work in George Lucas' "THX 1138." But his role as the stuffy but sympathetic Charles Winchester III in "M*A*S*H" cemented his reputation as an actor of comedic and dramatic range.
After decades of work on stage, screen and films, he became known to younger generations as he voiced Disney feature film characters like Cogsworth in "Beauty and the Beast."
In later years, Stiers returned to Oregon, making his home in Newport. He became one of the coast's most valued advocates for the arts, as the resident conductor for the Newport Symphony and Newport's Ernest Bloch Music Festival.
The Newport Symphony's music director, Adam Flatt, said in a written statement that the orchestra is "heartbroken" at Stiers' death. "David Ogden Stiers was a generous, loving, and inspirational friend and pillar to our orchestra, and ... to all of us individually." Flatt concluded that without Stiers' three decades of support, "our orchestra would not be here."