People
Jamie Farr – Biography, Net Worth, Age, Wife and Kids
Very few people, no matter how excellent their acting skills, can make the kind of impact and record the success that Jamie Farr has had in his 60+ years as an actor. The silver-haired and bespectacled on-screen genius is currently at the end of his career, but we can’t forget his contributions to the industry anytime soon.
He’s living proof that talent can exist anywhere and everywhere if you just have an open mind and look hard. Jamie Farr is of Lebanese descent although he was born in the United States. He is best known for his projects such as the 1970s dramedy MASH, the action comedy The Cannonball Run (1981) , and 1988 ‘s Gecrooged.
Jamie Farr – Biography (Age)
The actor-comedian was born to his parents Jamelia and Samuel Farah in Toledo, Ohio. He was born on July 1, 1934 and came from a modest background. His father was a grocer and his mother a seamstress. Jamie attended Woodward High School, where he wasa brilliant student. By the time he was there, he had already started looking into acting and once entered a local acting competition when he was eleven, which he won. As he recalls years later, the prize money for winning the competition was two dollars.
After high school, he was spotted by an MGM scout while visiting the Pasadena Playhouse. This discovery led to his involvement in Blackboard Jungle (1955) playing the role of a mentally handicapped student.
He didn’t really consider a full-time career until he was supported by his mentor and veteran actor Danny Thomas. His career was interrupted by a two-year stint in the United States Army, where he toured Korea and Japan. After his discharge, he was involved in many films, albeit in small, memorable roles. He was eventually cast in a relatively larger role than Lt. Gardelli was cast in the Warner Brothers military comedy, No Time for Sergeants.
He appeared as the character Squidward in The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965). Jamie Farr spent the rest of the 1960s making cameo appearances on such television series as The Donna Reed Show (1965), My Favorite Martian (1965 – 1966) , Who Mills the Coin? (1967) The Flying Nun (1968 – 1969) , and Family Affair (1969).
In 1972, Farr was signed for a guest appearance on the first season of the sitcom MASH. He played cross-dressing Corporal MaxwellKlinger. The actor was brought back for 12 episodes in season two and has become a series regular in season four. His time with the show ended in 1983 after 216 episodes. He also appeared in 30 episodes of After MASH, reprising his MASH role from 1983 to 1985.
He also appeared as The Sheik in 1981 ‘s The Cannonball Run, a role he reprized in its sequels: Cannonball Run II, and Cannonball Fever. He is the only cast member to appear in all three episodes. Jamie Farr has been involved with literally everything television has to offer. From game shows like Body Language and The $25,000 Pyramid to talk shows like Late Night with Conan O’Brien, and a daily radio show, Travelin’ Farr, the actor has built an immense career portfolio.
More recently, Jamie Farr was seen in an episode of That ’70’s Show (2003) as himself. He also starred as Adam Johnson in the 2007 film, A Grandpa for Christmas. In 2018, he joined the cast of the comedy series The Cool Kids, playing the character Dudley.
Farr is a true industry veteran, and for his efforts received his own star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame in 1985.
The Veteran Screen Man is also all about philanthropy. Since 1984 he has been part of the LPGA Tour as organizer of a professional women’s golf tournament. Over the years, the tournament known as the Jamie Farr Toledo Classic has raised $6.5 million for children’s charities.
In 1998, a park in his hometown of Toledo was renamed The Jamie Farr Park in his honor. This was the park where he used to hang out with his friends as a kid.
Jamie Farr’s family: wife and children
Farr’s busy career hasn’t stopped the famous actorfrom maintaining a stable marriage and family life. The actor was only once in marriage. He married the love of his life, Joy Ann Richards in 1963. Together they have two children, Jonas Farr and Yvonne Farr. They also have a grandson, Dorian.
In 2003, Jamie and his wife Joy collaborated on writing a children’s book called Hababy’s Christmas Eve. The book was basically a tale of the first Christmas from the animals’ point of view.
What is his net worth?
Jamie Farr is a long way from making two bucks in his first acting competition and appearing in 216 episodes of MASH and many projects beyond. This all leads to a multitude of appearances in commercials, films, series and TV shows.
However, it must be stressed that Farr emerges at a time when actor paydays weren’t what they are today. There is also the additional problem of adjusting for inflation. Anyway, many online sources put the veteran actor’s net worth at $7.5 million.