At 89, Jamie Farr Remains Sharp As He Reveals 'God Called' Him To His Career & Gave Him Life Success

Dec 04, 2023

In the world of classic movies and TV, actor Jamie Farr has earned his prestigious place, worthy of mention when the Hollywood greats come up in conversations. Farr came into prominence in the 1970s as a staple on the comedy series, "M*A*S*H." Before that, he ascended the ladder of success after a bout in the army, minor acting roles, challenging times and unemployment. 

Born Jameel Joseph Farah to a Lebanese-American family in Toledo, Ohio, Farr started his acting career in 1955 with a part in the movie "Blackboard Jungle," and an uncredited role "Kismet." The next phase of Farr's life came when he joined the 6th Infantry Division of the United States Army. Farr served in Korea for two years working and later became the only “M*A*S*H” cast member to have ever served in real life. 

After leaving the army, the star returned to his acting career, having aced a spot on fellow star Red Skelton's show, "The Red Skelton Show." The show gave Farr the motivation he needed to continue pursuing his dreams, even as his breakthrough appeared unattainable. He worked on other shows like "The Dick Van Dyke Show," "The Danny Kaye Show," and "The Chicago Teddy Bears," but wasn't yet able to secure a role as a series regular.

Farr had additional film roles, although they were minor parts. Among them was his role as a TB-25 co-pilot in “No Time for Sergeants.” Farr also booked parts in commercials as a means to expand his portfolio and keep bread on the table. But it wasn’t until the 1970s that he finally clinched the breakthrough he needed to make a name for himself in the business.

In 1972, Farr was hired for a role on “M*A*S*H,” a new television series based on the hit film of the same name released in 1970 starring Donald Sutherland and Elliot Gould. The war-time comedy was still in its first season and was already achieving high viewership when it came to viewership. Farr revealed in 2022 that he was paid only $250 for what was supposed to be a one-time gig to appear in the show’s fourth episode entitled "Chief Surgeon Who?" The role required Farr’s character, Corporal Maxwell Klinger, to wear a woman’s dress in a bid to persuade his army superiors to relieve him of his duties. Farr told Trib Live at the time he nabbed the role, he was more focused on finding work than on the series' success and was more relieved to have found work at a challenging point in his career.

“People weren’t hiring me. I was out of work at the time and I got a phone call from my agent and he said ‘there’s a part for you in a series called ‘M*A*S*H,’” Farr recalled. 

Farr went on to recount that as he arrived on the set to film the episode, he had yet to read the script and had no idea what the role entailed. There, he was taken to the wardrobe department, where he was outfitted in a Women’s Auxiliary Corps uniform, a pair of high heels and stockings.

“I’m saying ‘what the heck kinda part is this?’ Craft services starts laughing, all the crew starts laughing, the cast starts laughing and I still don’t know what the heck it is that I’m going to be doing,” Farr said.

When the episode aired, Farr’s portrayal yielded such a great audience reaction that it was clear he had to come back for more. However, Farr’s initial response was more pragmatic.

“I didn’t think anything of it. I got my $250 and was very happy,” he remarked.

Unbeknownst to him at the time, Farr’s role as the cross-dressing, eccentric and perpetually scheming Corporal Klinger would define his career and etch his name in television history. Farr's portrayal of the role left a lasting impression that ended up with him securing a permanent place on the TV series. He appeared on the show in several episodes and became a regular character by the fourth season. 

The series, created by Larry Gelbart and based on the book by Richard Hooker, portrayed the lives of medical personnel during the Korean War, providing a unique backdrop for a diverse ensemble cast – including Alan Alda, Wayne Rogers, Loretta Swit and Gary Burghoff, among others – to shine.

Working on the set of “M*A*S*H” was fulfilling, as he once told MeTV about his experience. The actor stated that what struck him "was the quality of the show." He noted that everyone made a concerted effort, and they were clearly concerned about the series. He described working on the show as fun because "You'd go home at night, and your sides would be hurting from laughing."

One of the defining aspects of Farr's role was his character's cross-dressing endeavors. In an era where discussions about gender identity were far less common than they are today, Klinger's willingness to challenge traditional gender norms was both groundbreaking and provocative. Farr's portrayal managed to balance humor with sensitivity, treating the subject matter with respect while also allowing for comedic exploration.

Farr's portrayal of Corporal Klinger was marked by his exceptional ability to infuse both humor and humanity into a character that could easily have fallen into caricature. Klinger's persistent attempts to secure a discharge from the military by feigning mental illness and dressing in various outrageous costumes showcased Farr's comedic timing and range. What could have been a one-dimensional character evolved into a multifaceted individual struggling with his own desires, fears, and ambitions. Farr's performance brought warmth and depth to Klinger's character, making him relatable and endearing to audiences. 

In a 1979 interview with People, Farr revealed just how grateful he was to have found “M*A*S*H” at one of the lowest lows of his career. He said:

“Sometimes I wake up in a cold sweat. It’s like a recurring dream because I still remember the days when I was hoping to make enough money to buy a can of tuna for dinner. I think what has happened to me is not real, but fake. I’m still frightened it will end.”

Farr’s portrayal of Klinger not only added depth and humor to the show but also contributed to its timeless appeal and chemistry among its cast members that kept audiences coming back for more. Farr expressed his appreciation for the wonderful cast and crew he was able to befriend while filming the hit show.

“How lucky can you be? I can’t tell you, all the years I’ve been in the business, what a professional group of actors that we had and the wonderful writers that we had and the producers Gene Reynolds and Larry Gelbart and Burt Metcalfe. It’s the thing you dream about where you have the perfect cast and the perfect people running the show,” he gushed.

His co-stars were equally smitten with Farr, with Swit once saying:

“(The audience) felt for Jamie. They felt for Klinger in his desperation. No matter how funny it was, his wardrobe was hilarious, but his desperation to get out of there, we understood it. His passion and his fortitude, he never gave up and the audience tuned in wondering ‘what’s he going to wear today?’”

Farr indeed relished his role at the time, and remarked in an interview that he never “would have thought I’d ever be in wardrobe discussing what blouse goes with what skirt.” He added:

“The show has been like a family to me. When it comes time to settle ‘M*A*S*H,’ it’s going to be traumatic. Where could we ever find magic again? I hope it never ends.”

As “M*A*S*H” progressed through its 11-season run from 1972 to its bittersweet end in 1983, Farr's portrayal of Klinger became increasingly nuanced. He transitioned from being primarily a comic relief character to someone who could evoke genuine emotions from the audience. The camaraderie between Klinger and his fellow soldiers, his romantic pursuits, and his growing sense of responsibility within the medical unit were all facets that Farr navigated skillfully, contributing to the show's dramatic and emotional depth.

Beyond the role itself, Farr's impact extended to the larger themes that "M*A*S*H" tackled. The show was known for its satirical take on war, bureaucracy and societal norms. Through Klinger, Farr participated in the show's critique of institutions and conventions. The character's relentless pursuit of a discharge was a commentary on the absurdities of military regulations – and his costumes – were symbolic of the lengths people go to in order to achieve their goals, no matter how unconventional they might be.

But before finding success with “M*A*S*H,” Farr was just an actor struggling to make ends meet when he met the love of his life. At 27 years old, Farr met model Joy Richards, and felt it would change his life forever. According to Weekly World News, he proposed to Richards even though he knew the chances were stacked against him. The actor recalled telling her:

"I may not have everything, and you may be taking a chance on me, but why not take a chance on us?"

She did take the chance, and Farr was determined more than ever to give them both a better life. He and Richards tied the knot on Feb. 16, 1963, at St. Nicholas Orthodox Christian Cathedral in Los Angeles. At the time, Farr could not even afford an engagement ring. 

Farr lamented to People about the “long dry years” when he struggled to support his family, which now included two children, with bit parts as a delivery boy, post office clerk, military surplus store salesman and pooper scooper. However, landing the "M*A*S*H" role about 10 years later proved to be a lifesaver. 

Being a staple in the 1970s show meant Farr's financial situation improved. By then, he had enough money to buy a befitting wedding ring for his wife. The jewelry piece was an intricate 1.5-carat emerald with lovely details. The TV star presented the precious stone to his wife most romantically. He and his family were dining at a restaurant when he made the manager present it on a silver platter.  

“Our two kids were sitting there with us and everyone in the place thought I had proposed! I want my children to know that we are very, very lucky,” he told People.

Along with his success in acting, writing, and personal life, Farr is also an activist. He hosted 28 editions of the annual professional women’s golfing tournament, The Jamie Farr Toledo Classic. In that time, he helped raise more than $6.5 million for children’s charities, USA Today reported.

Farr’s charitable nature was long in the making, having witnessed his father treat the homeless with kindness in his youth. He told the Toledo Blade:

“In those days, you didn’t call them homeless — they were tramps or hobos — and they would stop in, and my dad would make them a sandwich. They would ask if they could do anything in return, and my dad would say, ‘No, that’s perfectly all right.’”

Farr also cited his faith and the power of prayer with all the blessings he has received in life, including his career success.

“I believed that God had called me to be an actor, to entertain — even help — people. And I’d worked hard at it. Even back in Toledo, where I was a poor kid with a big nose, I used humor to avoid getting beat up,” he told Guideposts. He also detailed to the outlet how after frequently going to church and praying because he was feeling so “hopeless” after being rejected over and over again for screen roles, he was finally rewarded with a part in the 1965 film “The Greatest Story Ever Told.”

Although he was diagnosed with severe rheumatoid arthritis in the 1990s, Farr has not let it stop him from leading his best life with his beloved wife and family. The octogenarian looks great and still has a sharp memory in his older years, as was clear when he chatted with fans at a meet-and-greet event in August 2022.

Isn't it inspiring that Jamie Farr's hard work paid off after he struggled for so long? Do you recall any of your favorite Corporal Max Klinger moments on "M*A*S*H"? If so, let us know, and be sure to pass this on to other fans of the series.