M*A*S*H actor David Odgen Stiers has died at 75

Beloved actor David Odgen Stiers has passed away at the age of 75 after a battle with bladder cancer.

The M*A*S*H star's death was confirmed by his agent Mitchell Stubbs, who told The Oregonian he died peacefully at his home in Newport, Oregon, reports news.com.au.

Stiers is best known for his role as the arrogant aristocrat and surgeon Major Charles Winchester on the iconic military sitcom.

He joined the M*A*S*H cast in 1977 following the departure of the show's Frank Burns character, starring opposite Alan Alda and Mike Farrell.

Stiers earned two Emmy nominations for the role, in 1981 and 1982.

He also voiced Cogsworth in Disney's Beauty and the Beast and Jumba in Lilo & Stitch.

His early television credits include stints on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Charlie's Angels and Kojak.

In an interview in 2009, Stiers revealed he was gay and "very proud to be so".

The actor was also the resident conductor of the Newport Symphony and had guest conducted for more than 70 orchestras around the world.