Biography for
Jamie Farr More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

Birth Name

Spouse

Trade Mark

His nose. (Frequently the subject of many jokes on "M*A*S*H" (1972). In one episode Klinger says his nose even has its own serial number).

Trivia

Was one of two cast members of the original "M*A*S*H" (1972) television cast to have actually served in the armed forces in Korea; Farr's tour of duty came in the years after the war. Alan Alda served a six month tour as a gunnery officer in Korea. In addition, the dog tags Farr wore on the "M*A*S*H" (1972) set were actually his issued set from his time in the Army.

Has an LPGA tournament named in his honor, the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic (formerly the Jamie Farr Kroger Classic)

Only son of Samuel, a Lebanese meat cutter and grocer, and Jamelia Farah, a seamstress

He has an older sister, Yvonne.

He graduated from Woodward High School with honors and was named most outstanding student. In addition to writing and acting in two variety shows, Jamie was a member of the Drama Society, class president for three years, feature editor of the school newspaper, president of the radio class, manager of the football and basketball teams and a member of the varsity tennis team.

Attended the Pasadena Playhouse

Worked as a delivery person for a lithograph company, a post office clerk, an Army-surplus store clerk, an airline reservations clerk, and an employee at a chinchilla ranch

Served a two-year stretch in the U. S. Army in Japan during the Korean War

Son, Jonas

Daughter, Yvonne

Farr thought at first the women's wardrobe in his dressing room meant he'd be sharing the room with a woman, but was surprised to learn otherwise. Not wanting to play a cross-dresser in the typical girlish way, he suggested to the producers that his character be manly, but crazy, thinking his clothes and other quirks were normal. The unusual spin worked.

Biography in: "Who's Who in Comedy" by Ronald L. Smith, pg. 154. New York: Facts on File, 1992. ISBN 0816023387

His "M*A*S*H" (1972) character was originally only supposed to be on one episode, but he proved so popular that he returned as a day player, and Farr was finally given a contract in year 3.

Is on the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Professional Advisory Board. [2005]

Endorsed the Mars candy bar in the early 80s.

In the later years of _"M*A*S*H (1972)"_, especially after he took on the role of company clerk when "Radar" (Gary Burghoff) left, he stopped his recurring gag of wearing women's clothes because he didn't want his children being teased about it growing up.

Best remembered by the public for his role as "Corporal (later Sergeant) Max Klinger" in the television series "M*A*S*H" (1971).

Mentioned by fellow Ohio resident, "Weird Al" Yankovic in lyrics of 1996 CD track "Everything You Know is Wrong", "Bad Hair Day" album.

Personal Quotes

"The benefits from stardom as Klinger outweigh any setbacks. It's a double-edged sword. What makes you famous is what interferes with getting other roles. But there are things that never would have happened without "M*A*S*H" (1972). There certainly would be no Jamie Farr Kroger Golf Classic".

[Working with Alan Alda] If I wanted a sermon I'd go to church. He just wouldn't quit. He just kept adding more speeches and more moralistic stuff. After he got famous, he got really pompous. He started thinking he was speaking God's words - not the lines in the script, not his own personal thoughts. He thought he was speaking the words of God. I think he thought and believed that God was speaking through him. A person like that is not easy to be around.

[On why he did Circus Of The Stars] I looked good in the tights. Plus, I have a thing for a woman in clown makeup.

[If he enjoyed wearing womens clothes on M*A*S*H] I was doing that before the show. It was a delight.

[On what happened to all the dresses after the show ended] I took them home, okay? Is that what you wanted to hear? Actually, all those dresses were mine. I used my own dresses, bras, panties, hats and shoes.

[On Loretta Switt] She was funny and beautiful. A body that just makes a man feel like a real man.

[Talking about why a M*A*S*H reunion didn't happen] I always respected Alan. I never got in his way. But it's very selfish of him to hold out and prevent us from earning a living. We don't all have Woody Allen knocking at our door. I should stop talking before I say something I'm going to regret. Actually, forget that I said that. You just caught me on a bad day. Let's start over.

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