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David Ogden Stiers found that Shakespeare helped his performance on M*A*S*H
"I bring everything I can to the part of Winchester in M*A*S*H," said Stiers.
Although many of Shakespeare's works were written over four hundred years ago, it's still considered the apex of the art form.
Although David Ogden Stiers was mainly known for his work in programs like M*A*S*H, he made great efforts to immerse himself in entertainment outside of the television industry.
"It's not important - it's imperative," said Stiers in an interview with the Pittsburgh Press. "I feel the need to expose myself to other experiences, writers, actors, and audiences to bring new energy, attitudes, and a heightened awareness of my value to an ongoing project."
Particularly, Stiers enjoyed using his off-time to act on the stage, including performing works by the Bard himself.
"Shakespeare, of course, is what I enjoy doing most," said Stiers. "Playing his roles fills up in me what TV erodes. It allows me to use my mind, my feelings, and the sum of my experiences...Working in those classic plays touches me most deeply, uses me most deeply," he said. "How can there be anything more useful than dealing with the basic themes of life which were Shakespeare's concerns?"
But rather than preferring the stage to the screen, Stiers found that working in one medium helped his performance in another.
"I bring everything I can to the part of Winchester in M*A*S*H," said Stiers. "The writing isn't what it used to be but it is still good enough to challenge us. When there is something serious to do in M*A*S*H, having spent time with Shakespeare I'm better defined as an actor to bring more power and subtlety to bear on the show."
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