Listen, folks, we’re diving into the extraordinary life of Jamie Farr. Now, if you’re a fan of M*A*S*H, you know Corporal Klinger, the guy in the dresses trying to get discharged from the army. That’s Jamie Farr, and he’s got some pretty remarkable stories to share. Not only did Jamie recently celebrate his 60th wedding anniversary with his wife, Joy, but he’s also turning 90 this summer! He’ll even be reminiscing about his time on M*A*S*H in a two-hour special airing on Fox. Jamie told Closer, “I still enjoy watching the show because it’s like looking through a family album of all the people we no longer have with us but that we dearly loved.” Think Harry Morgan, Larry Linville, Wayne Rogers, and so many others. These were legends who became lifelong friends.
From Struggling Actor to Television Icon
Before M*A*S*H, did you ever have to take day jobs while waiting for your big break?
Jamie remembers, “Oh, absolutely. There were plenty of odd jobs when times were tough and money was tight. I worked as a salesman in downtown L.A., an airline reservationist, even a messenger delivering scripts. Believe it or not, I once worked as a janitor at a chinchilla farm. Those were some pretty wild days, but hey, you do what you gotta do to pay the rent and keep the dream alive.”
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Red Skelton: A Mentor and Lifelong Friend
Early in your career, you became close with comedian Red Skelton. Tell us about that relationship.
Jamie lights up when he talks about Red Skelton. “Red was more than a mentor; he was like a second father to me. On The Red Skelton Hour, I played a sailor with Red who found an abandoned baby in Korea. To adopt the baby, Red’s character had to be married, so guess who got dressed up as a wife? Me! I had no idea my career would take such a turn. But Red believed in me and even gave me a St. Christopher medal when I got drafted into the real army. He said it would protect me, and it did. When I returned, he put me under contract and we traveled together entertaining troops all the way up to the DMZ in Korea. When Red passed away, I had the honor of being one of his pallbearers alongside legends like Bob Hope and Milton Berle.”
That’s some serious irony, isn’t it?
Jamie chuckles, “Yeah, you could say that. Here I was, dressing up as a woman on TV and in real life trying to avoid it. But life has a funny way of working out, doesn’t it?”
From One-Episode Gag to Television Legend
It’s true that Klinger was only supposed to appear in one episode of M*A*S*H, right?
“That’s the honest-to-goodness truth,” Jamie confirms. “I got a call from my agent saying there was a TV series at 20th Century Fox paying $250 for the day. When I arrived, they handed me a woman’s Army Corps uniform and these enormous high heels. I thought, ‘Am I dressing with an actress?’ But I needed the money, so I slipped into those shoes and walked out onto the stage. Let me tell you, the whole crew burst out laughing. Little did I know that this little gag would turn into an 11-year run on one of the most beloved shows in television history.”
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During your time in the real army, did you ever meet anyone like Klinger?
Jamie reflects, “Not exactly like Klinger, but there was a guy in boot camp who would jump out of windows trying to break his leg to get discharged. The inspiration for Klinger actually came from comedian Lenny Bruce, who showed up in a dress during his time in the Navy. Lenny got thrown in the brig, but I got a career out of it. Go figure!”
Building a Character with Heart
Klinger started as a visual gag but grew into a fully realized character. How did that happen?
“The producers and writers trusted me to bring depth to the role,” Jamie explains. “They gave me the freedom to explore Klinger’s personality and make him more than just a guy in a dress. Sure, I made people laugh, but I also had those heartfelt moments that resonated with viewers. They didn’t just see Klinger as a joke; they saw him as a person with feelings, dreams, and struggles. It’s why fans still write to me today, thanking me for making them laugh while also touching their hearts.”
It sounds like you all had a blast working together on M*A*S*H.
“Absolutely,” Jamie says with a smile. “Not every show is like that. I’ve worked on sets where the actors barely talk to each other. But on M*A*S*H, we had this special bond. They built us a little area away from the cameras where we could rehearse and refine our scenes. We’d go over the lines until they were crackling with energy. It was truly a dream cast.”
How’s Alan Alda doing these days?
“I haven’t spoken to Alan in a while, but I know his wife, Arlene, is taking great care of him as he deals with Parkinson’s disease. My good friend Tony Danza, who lives in Alan’s building, tells me that Alan stays active by jumping rope and exercising regularly. Alan’s a fighter, and I have no doubt he’s handling it with grace and determination.”
Life After M*A*S*H
The M*A*S*H writers loved making fun of your nose. Did that bother you?
“Not at all! In fact, I used to joke with Milton Berle, Dean Martin, Vic Damone, and Gene Barry that they all had noses like mine but got them fixed. They’d fire back, saying, ‘We know you had yours fixed too — you had them make it bigger!’ It was all in good fun.”
When you meet other veterans, do they recognize you and want to talk?
“Absolutely. Last year, I joined an honor flight that takes veterans from World War II, Korea, and Vietnam to see the memorials in Washington, D.C. When they found out I’d served in the military too, they went wild. It’s an incredible feeling to connect with fellow veterans and share stories.”
Tell us about playing the Sheik in the Cannonball Run movies.
“Oh man, those were some wild times! I don’t think any of us were sober for a single moment. Critics didn’t like the movies, but they made a ton of money. I played the ugliest son of Ricardo Montalban, and he joked afterward, ‘At MGM, I got to kiss Lana Turner, Esther Williams, and now I’m kissing an orangutan!’”
What was it like filming in the Middle East for The Love Boat?
“That was quite the adventure. I was in Jerusalem visiting the Church of the Holy Sepulchre with my wife, Joy, Linda Evans, Eva Marie Saint, and Bernie Kopell’s wife, Yolanda. The tour guide told me I couldn’t wear Bermuda shorts inside, but I knew I might never get back there, so Eva, Linda, Yolanda, and Joy formed a human shield around me, and we snuck in. Of course, I ended up getting escorted out by the holy guards while fans were snapping pictures. Lucky me!”
