Biography for
Mike Farrell (I) More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

6 February 1939, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA

Birth Name

Michael Joseph Farrell

Height

6' 3" (1.91 m)

Mini Biography

Mike is one of four children. His father, Joe, who died in 1956, was a carpenter at Hollywood studios. Mike attended grammar school with Natalie Wood and Ricky Nelson. He entered the marines in the 1950's for two years. Later, he attended the University of California at Los Angeles and studied acting at the Jeff Corey Workshop. He started getting big parts in movies, which led to a regular role on "Days of Our Lives" (1965) and, ultimately, to "M*A*S*H" (1972). When "M*A*S*H" (1972) went off the air, he resisted series TV for many years until he was offered "Providence" (1999). In the meantime, he formed his own production company, which made the Robin Williams vehicle, Patch Adams (1998), based on Mike's own acquaintance with the doctor. Mike is very politically involved. He lobbied against the firing of gay teachers. He was outspoken about the US involvement in Ecuador in the 80s. He served as a member of California's Commission on Judicial Performance from February 2, 1998 to February 28, 2001.

IMDb Mini Biography By: John Sacksteder

Spouse

Shelley Fabares	(31 December 1984 - present)
Judy Farrell	(18 August 1963 - 1983) (divorced) 2 children

Trivia

Febraury 2000 - his two children by screenwriter Judy Farrell are Michael Farrell (29), a martial arts teacher, and Erin Farrell (26), who works in the Los Angeles office of Jesse Jackson.

Works with Greenpeace.

Named Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

Attended West Hollywood Grammar School with Natalie Wood and Ricky Nelson. Graduated from Hollywood High School.

Served in the U. S. Marines

Spokesperson for CONCERN/America; co-chair of Human Rights Watch in California; board president of Death Penalty Focus; member of the California State Commission on Judicial Performance

Elected first Vice-President of the Screen Actor's Guild in 2002 and served for three years.

Presides over Family Motion Pictures, an organisation which strives to promote films suitable for family viewing.

Provided voice of Jonathan Kent on the animated "Superman" (1996) series with real life wife Shelley Fabares providing the voice of Martha Kent.

While he was a cast member on "M*A*S*H" (1972) as Captain BJ Hunnicutt, his first wife, Judy Farrell, also appeared on "M*A*S*H" (1972) playing various nurse characters.

It was Alan Alda's idea for him to grow a mustache in the seventh season, which he kept for the rest of the show's run.

Tried to talk Gary Burghoff out of leaving "M*A*S*H" (1972), citing the lackluster careers of McLean Stevenson and Larry Linville after their departures, but to no avail.

Appeared in a 1970's television commercial for Schmidt's Big Mouth Beer.

Best remembered by the public for his role as "Captain B.J. Hunnicutt" on the television series "M*A*S*H" (1972).

Personal Quotes

On the final episode of "M*A*S*H" (1972): "It was one of the hardest things I've ever done as an actor, because there were times when it wasn't appropriate to be crying".

(On joining the cast of "M*A*S*H" (1972)): "I began to sweat at the [thought] that if this show fails in the fourth season, I'm going to wear it around my neck for the rest of my life: the guy who sank "M*A*S*H" (1972).

Where Are They Now

(2007) Release of his book, "Just Call Me Mike: My Journey from Actor to Activist".

(2009) Release of his book, "Of Mule and Man".

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