David Ogden Stiers dead: M*A*S*H actor dies aged 75

'His talent was only surpassed by his heart,' says agent

Stiers received two Emmy nominations for playing Winchester in 1981 and 1982 on the popular CBS sitcom (Getty Images)

The actor who played the snooty Major Charles Emerson Winchester III on iconic TV series M*A*S*H has died at the age of 75.

David Ogden Stiers, who gained two Emmy nominations for his role, died of bladder cancer at his home in Newport, Oregon on Saturday.

"His talent was only surpassed by his heart," his agent, Mitchell K Stubbs, tweeted.

Stiers rose to fame for his role on the popular CBS sitcom which traced a team of doctors and support staff deployed in the "4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital" in Uijeongbu, South Korea during the Korean War.

The hugely influential series, which looked at the trials and tribulations of wartime, ran for 11 seasons from 1972 until its finale in 1983. It was one of the most watched TV shows of all time.

Stiers, who joined the cast in 1977, continued to be a draw for fans for years after the show came to a halt.

"Even today, people call out the name of my character from that show, and I cringe. That’s why I walk so fast and kind of disguise myself. I just can't have the same conversation 85 times a day,” Stiers said in 2002.

Over the years, Stiers made guest appearances in TV shows Touched by an Angel, Frasier, and Murder, She Wrote. He also starred in a number of Woody Allen films, including Shadows and Fog and Mighty Aphrodite.

Stiers was greatly sought after for narration and voiceover work, doing voice acting in several Disney animated films, such as the character Cogsworth in Beauty and the Beast and also playing characters in Lilo & Stitch and Pocahontas.

Stiers, who had more than 150 film and television credits to his name, was born in Peoria, Illinois, in 1942. He went on to attend the University of Oregon but rapidly left for San Francisco to pursue a career in acting.

Stiers, a classical music fanatic and accomplished musician, was a resident conductor for the Newport Symphony in Oregon and guest conducted dozens of orchestras across the US.

"All of us at the NSO are heartbroken. David Ogden Stiers was a generous, loving, and inspirational friend and pillar to our orchestra, and, indeed, to all of us individually. Our orchestra would not be here if it weren't for his great support and inspiration over three decades," Adam Flatt, Newport Symphony's music director, said in a statement.

"His depth of musical feeling, love for our musicians, and charisma made his performances soar when he was on our podium. We will all work to keep David's spirit alive in all of our performances," he added.