Every once in a while, we have a partnership with somebody that goes past its original context. We meet somebody in one role, and before you know it, their place in our lives has eclipsed that original dynamic. We might meet someone as a neighbor, and before long they become a trusted confidant we can depend on. Or, maybe a friend becomes a rock we can rely on for the rest of our lives.

In the case of M*A*S*H co-stars Loretta Swit and Jamie Farr, what started as two actors sharing a few scenes eventually grew to be much more. Many actors in that show's cast formed a tight bond, as the long-running series put them together for over a decade. This shared experience led to many lifelong friendships, with Swit and Farr being no exception.

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M*A*S*H's Loretta Swit said that being ''different'' can be special

As Maj. Margaret Houlihan, Loretta Swit may not have shared much screen time with Farr's Cpl. Klinger, but the pair nonetheless grew closer throughout their time together. 

In 2022, Swit spoke at length about her relationship with Farr in an interview for Militarynews.com.

"Jamie Farr and I are very, very close friends," said Swit. "Jamie loved my mom."

"The last three to four years of her life, [my mother] lived at the motion picture home and it was not that far away from Jamie’s beautiful home and he would stop in and visit with her, sometimes I wouldn’t even know about it. They were on a first-name basis and my mother didn’t want to go anywhere during the holidays except Jamie’s house."

While Swit and Farr may no longer be co-workers, their friendship transcended M*A*S*H and meant more to each other than their characters ever could.

"He is so respected and loved," said Swit. "We’ve done shows together, different conventions, and people adore him. And when they have both of us coming to these autograph shows we draw huge crowds."

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