LEAGUE OF THEMSELVES - JAMIE FARR

JAMIE FARR

AS SEEN IN:

'Just Shoot Me'

"A&E Biography: Nina Van Horn"

From Wikipedia:

Jamie Farr (born Jameel Joseph Farah, July 1, 1934) is an American television, film, and theater actor. He is best known for having played the role of cross-dressing Corporal (later Sergeant) Maxwell Q. Klinger in theCBS television sitcom 'M*A*S*H'.

Farr began to carve out his niche in television when, in the late 1950s, he became a regular on 'The Red Skelton Show' before becoming a second banana with Harvey Korman on 'The Danny Kaye Show'. Farr also appeared on 'The Dick Van Dyke Show' and was a regular on the gangster-comedy series 'The Chicago Teddy Bears' (featuring Huntz Hall). Farr also worked in TV commercials, including a memorable spot for Wonder Bread (as a vendor who says, “If it isn’t fresh, I’m outa business!”).

He was hired for one day’s work as “Corporal Klinger” on the 'M*A*S*H' episode “Chief Surgeon Who?”. His character wore dresses to try to convince the army that he was crazy and he deserved a Section 8 discharge. Comedy writer and playwright Larry Gelbart has said that comedian Lenny Bruce’s attempt to be released from military service inWorld War II by dressing in a WAVES uniform was the original inspiration for the character of Klinger on the sitcom. 

He was asked back for a dozen episodes in the second season and he became a regular in the third. Eventually, his character gave up wearing women’s clothing (after a lecture from Colonel Sherman Potter, explaining how a Section 8 Discharge would adversely affect his life). Like most of the characters on 'M*A*S*H', Corporal Klinger matured as the years passed. He gradually progressed from being a cross-dressing visual joke, and became a more sensitive and resourceful character.

His favorite episodes are "Officer of the Day" and "Big Mac".

Farr and co-stars Harry Morgan and William Christopher spent two years starring in 'AfterMASH', the sequel that explored how civilian life treated their characters.

BCnU!