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Home › Politics

Politics | 05/06/2009 1:50 pm

MASH Star David Ogden Stiers Comes Out

David Ogden Stiers came out of the closet so that he can find some love.
By The Staff at wowOwow.com
© Getty Images

David Ogden Stiers, made famous for playing Major Frank Burns on MASH, has come out of the closet. In an interview with the website Gossip-Boy.com, Stiers says he hasn’t always been comfortable talking about his personal life, but felt that now’s the right time:

I wish to spend my life’s twilight being just who I am. 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 with me.

Stiers also explained that he stayed in the closet for so long because he feared occupational backlash: "Even though many have this idealistic belief that the entertainment industry [is] gay friendly. For the most part they are, but that doesn’t mean for them that business does not come first."

You can read the entire interview over at Gossip-Boy.

Read more about: Business, Coming Out, David Ogden Stier, Gay, Homosexuality, MASH, News

110 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

C. Aune
This is no surprise….Marie Osmonds daughter stepping out of the closet, now that one is pretty unexpected, but David Ogden Stiers…ah no, LOL
By C. Aune on 05/07/2009 9:59 am
Queenie .
I loved watchig MASH and if I had known then about Charles, it wouldn’t have bothered me or made a difference and it certainly doesn’t bother me or make a difference now.  He did some great acting on MASH and I wish him well.
By Queenie . on 05/07/2009 3:48 pm
Jeannot Kensinger
I just could not care one way or the other.  Wish him to be happy but I did not have to know what his sexual preference was and is.
By Jeannot Kensinger on 05/07/2009 5:19 pm
jean milano
FYI He didn’t play Major Frank burns he was the replacement after Frank Burns left the show.  He was Charles Winchester.
By jean milano on 05/08/2009 6:30 am
JJ GB

Isn’t the picture of Larry Linville, the love interest of Hot Lips Hoolihan?  Isn’t he the bumbling Frank Burns character?  I haven’t watched MASH for many years, althought there are reruns on TV late at night, but I think the picture is mis-identified.

By JJ GB on 05/08/2009 8:34 am
JJ GB

Boy, was I wrong.  It is David Ogden Stiers.  I googled him and saw my mistake.  He sure doesn’t look like the actor I remembered, but then we all change as the years go by.  I stand corrected.  Do I care if he’s gay?  Nooo,  that’s a personal thing that doesn’t affect him as an actor or a human and certainly doesn’t affect me., so what?  If he’s happoer having come out, that’s his right.

By JJ GB on 05/08/2009 8:42 am
Barbara Taylor

I believe Larry Linville past away a few years ago.  He was at one time married to Will Greer’s daughter. Will Greer - Grandpa on The Waltons and blacklisted during the 50’s witch hunt.

By Barbara Taylor on 05/08/2009 3:36 pm
JJ GB
You’re right, about Larry Linville being dead, but I didn’t know he at one time had been married to the daughter of Will Geer-now, there was a great actor, too.  He could do comedy as well as drama.
By JJ GB on 05/08/2009 6:01 pm
B Clark
I didn’t think the picture looked anything like good ole Ferret Face.  MASH was a great series.  I’ll have to look for it on DVD.  As for David, well that’s nice.  I didn’t need to know, but I hope he’s happy.
By B Clark on 05/08/2009 9:04 am
JJ GB
However, I don’t think David played Frank Burns.  That was Linville.
By JJ GB on 05/08/2009 11:48 am
Beth Cornell
I commend David for "coming out", it took guts. 
By Beth Cornell on 05/08/2009 10:58 am
Rebecca G

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 with me.

Good for him.  That is a loving and noble reason.

As for the vitriol from some of the ladies here.  Shame on you.

By Rebecca G on 05/08/2009 11:02 am
T P

Rebecca-

NO one has been vitriol. EVERYONE is entitled to their own opinion. So shame on you and I am calling you on it.

By T P on 05/08/2009 10:54 pm
Rebecca G
ok, whatever.
By Rebecca G on 05/08/2009 11:03 pm
S G

Oh right you obviously think you are intitled to yours and no one else has a right to theirs.

By S G on 05/10/2009 9:37 am
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