One Of My Favorite TV Stars Has Died, R.I.P. David Ogden Stiers

Farewell and Rest In Peace Charles Emerson Winchester III.

Actor David Ogden Stiers died Saturday March 3 at his home in Newport, Oregon due to bladder cancer. He was 75.

And while Stiers had a long and distinguished career, for me (and millions of others) he is the pompous yet lovable Charles.

M*A*S*H is one of my Top 5 television series of all time. If you give me 'Seinfeld', 'The Andy Griffith Show', throw in 'Gunsmoke' and 'M*A*S*H' ...then rotate a few in that 5th spot, well, I'd be good to go.

One of the things I admired most about M*A*S*H was how they were able to replace major characters and not miss a beat.

Henry leaves the show (and dies when the helicopter he's in is shot down), and Potter fills in. Trapper goes home and B.J. slides in. And when Frank left the show...here comes Charles.

When most shows lose, for whatever reason, a major character the show is pretty much on the way down and out. But not M*A*S*H.

And now David Ogden Stiers has died. And so in some way has Major Charles Emerson Winchester the Third. But thanks to re-runs, none of those who serve in the 4077th ever dies...or leaves.

And yet, as time goes on as it always has and always will, another actor...nay, another friend...has left.

Thanks you Mr. Stiers for hours and hours of enjoyment, smiles, laughs and occasional tears. And thank you for those still to come courtesy of your immense talent.

One Of My Favorite Television Stars Has Died, R.I.P. David Ogden Stiers