Jamie Farr

From Toledo's Northern neighborhood to the 4077th, the man who turned a one-day gig into television history.

Jamie Farr is an American comedian and actor best known for playing Corporal Maxwell Klinger on the CBS sitcom M*A*S*H. Born Jameel Joseph Farah in Toledo, Ohio, he grew up in a Lebanese-American family before leaving for California to attend the Pasadena Playhouse. After being spotted by an MGM scout, his career took off with roles in The Blackboard Jungle and The Red Skelton Show. Following a stint in the US Army where he served as a Broadcast Specialist in Korea, Farr returned to acting. In October 1972, he was hired for a single day on M*A*S*H, expecting only $250 to cover groceries and rent. Instead, his character's desperate attempts to secure a Section 8 discharge through cross-dressing made him an instant fan favorite.

Quick Facts

Birth name: Jameel Joseph Farah
Born: 1 July 1934
Birthplace: Toledo, Ohio, U.S.
Occupation: Actor, comedian
Years active: 1955–present
Spouse: Joy Ann Richards (1963)
Children: 2
Known for: Playing Klinger on M A S H

Lore & Background

Farr's character, Corporal Maxwell Klinger, was unique because he shared a real-life background with the actor: both were Lebanese-Americans from Toledo. This connection allowed Farr to pepper dialogue with specific local references, such as hot dogs from Tony Packo's Cafe and support for the Toledo Mud Hens baseball team. Initially hired just for one day in 1972, Farr spent years requesting a contract, suspecting producers avoided it to keep his salary low. He finally became a series regular starting in season 4 (1975). As the show progressed, Klinger was promoted to company clerk and gradually stopped wearing women's clothing. This shift reflected both his increased maturity and respect for his new role, as well as Farr's personal desire to prevent his two young children from being teased about their father appearing on TV in dresses.

Reader's Guide

Farr's journey from Toledo to stardom began at age 11 when he won two dollars in a local acting competition. After graduating Woodward High School in 1952, he attended the Pasadena Playhouse, where he was cast as Santini in Blackboard Jungle (credited as Jameel Farah). He served in the Army from 1957 to 1959, working on training videos at Fort Knox and the Army Pictorial Service before deploying to Korea with Special Services. His television career expanded beyond M*A*S*H to include frequent guest spots on shows like The Love Boat, Murder She Wrote, and Mad About You, as well as hosting roles on game shows such as Battle of the Network Stars and a run as a judge on The Gong Show. In 1985, he was inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Even in retirement from stage acting after collapsing during rehearsals for Jack of Diamonds in 2018, Farr remained active, hosting M*A*S*H: The Best By Farr in 2022 to celebrate the show's 50th anniversary.

Did You Know?

He was originally hired for only one day on M*A*S*H, concerned solely with earning $250 to buy groceries.
Farr appeared in The Cannonball Run (1981) and Cannonball Run II (1984), but not in Speed Zone! (1989, sometimes marketed as Cannonball Run III).
He replaced Nathan Lane last minute as Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls on Broadway with only two weeks of preparation.