Character from House M.D. by David Shore
A pharmaceutical billionaire who tried to buy Princeton-Plainsboro and break House — and discovered that a hospital that tolerates a genius will protect him even at the cost of a hundred million dollars.
Vogler donated a hundred million dollars to PPTH on the condition that he become Chairman of the Board — not out of generosity, but control. His father gave him twenty thousand dollars for college; Vogler skipped college and invested it. By the time he went back to tell his father about his success, Alzheimer's had stolen the old man's ability to recognize his own son. Vogler's philanthropy is grief wearing a business suit. He took an immediate dislike to House — first for not wearing a lab coat, then for being an expensive liability who brought in less revenue than he cost. Vogler tried to force House to fire a team member, then to endorse a pharmaceutical product. House refused both. Vogler demanded the board fire House. Cuddy chose House over the hundred million dollars. Vogler left, and the hospital was poorer but free.
Large, imposing man in his fifties with a commanding physical presence. Dresses in expensive suits that communicate power and control. The kind of man who fills a boardroom not with charm but with the unspoken threat of what happens if you disagree with him.
Also known as: Vogler, Ed, Mr. Vogler