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Still a Toledo classic: Jamie Farr at Packard
By GUY D’ASTOLFO
WARREN
Jamie Farr has got a million stories from his days as an actor and comedian — and for a while, it seemed like he was going to tell them all.
Looking tanned and healthy, and ebullient as ever, Farr came to Packard Music Hall on Wednesday morning as part of the Trumbull Town Hall lecture series.
The Toledo native regaled the audience of about 650 people with hilarious anecdotes.
Farr became a household name in America for his role as Cpl. Klinger — the cross-dressing soldier who was bucking for a discharge — on “M*A*S*H.”
His deep voice and cadence still sound as they did on the popular sitcom. It brought back memories of his Klinger character, which has long since become an icon of American television.
And no, he wasn’t wearing a dress.
“You don’t have enough money to get me into a dress,” he said, relating a pre-show exchange he had with the series director. “And you sure don’t have enough money to get me out of one.”
The 77-year-old Farr was born Jameel Farah, a Lebanese-American on the North Side of Toledo. He based Cpl. Klinger on his own experiences.
Farr said he was glad to be back in Ohio, and was especially appreciative for an audience that was in his age group. “You know what I like about you?,” he told the crowd. “I don’t have to explain who Mike Douglas is.” It came during a reference to the host of the ’60s talk show.
Farr is still busy as a stage actor, lately playing the title role in Mitch Albom’s “Tuesdays with Morrie” in Canada.
He also is still heading the LPGA golf tournament that bears his name. Now in its 28th year, the Jamie Farr Toledo Classic will be Aug. 9-12 in Sylvania, Ohio.
Farr was having such a good time telling stories, that it was 45 minutes into his one-hour presentation before he got around to talking about “M*A*S*H.”
The character of Cpl. Klinger was created by show creator Larry Gelbart, he said.
The offer to do the role came during a slow time in Farr’s acting career, so he was happy to try out for the part — even though the costume in his dressing room was a dress and high heels.
“I thought I was dressing with an actress,” he said. The big-nosed, bandy-legged and very hairy actor had Gelbart and company rolling on the floor laughing when he emerged.
“I came for one day and stayed for 11 years,” he said. “M*A*S*H” aired from 1972 to 1983.
After giving a quick rundown of what the surviving alumni of the show are doing these days, Farr finished up with a reel of “M*A*S*H” outtakes.