Jamie Farr

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Actor Born Jameel Joseph Farah on July 1, 1934 in Toledo, OH

Despite a half-century career in television, Jamie Farr will forever be best known as the cross-dressing Cpl. Klinger on the beloved television series "M*A*S*H."

The Lebanese-American actor set his sights on an acting career at a young age. At the Pasadena Playhouse, he was discovered by an MGM talent scout who cast him in the urban high school drama “The Blackboard Jungle.” Despite his early success, Farr’s acting career was put on hiatus while he served a two-year tour of duty in Korea.

Returning from military service, Farr initially found it difficult to regain his professional momentum, and at one point worked as a hand at a chinchilla ranch. Throughout the ’60s, Farr was a fixture on network television, guest starring on virtually every big-name show, from “I Dream of Jeannie” to “Get Smart.”

A regular gig remained elusive until he was cast in “M*A*S*H” in yet another guest spot, this time as Maxwell Q. Klinger, a man who dressed as a woman in hopes that he would be discharged from the military. Originally intended as a one-off appearance, the character proved so popular with fans that Farr was made a series regular. It was a fateful turn of events: The show became one of the most popular in television history, airing for 11 seasons. Farr brought nuance to the madcap role of Klinger, particularly in the show’s more serious later years.

Since then, Farr has never quite been able to extricate his own identity from that of the character he helped create. He starred in a spin-off, “After M*A*S*H,” which lasted for a season and a half, and his exuberant personality made him a favorite game show guest. Nowadays, Farr devotes most of his energy to organizing the annual LPGA Jamie Farr OwensCorning Classic, which benefits children’s charities. He has been married to his wife Joy since 1963, and has two children.

Farr is sanguine about the complicated legacy that comes with starring on a hugely successful show. “I’ve been quite fortunate. I haven’t been out of work, literally, since ‘M*A*S*H’ went out of production,” he said.

— Meredith Blake for the Los Angeles Times June 24, 2010