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When Jamie Farr wasn't acting on M*A*S*H he was developing a nightclub routine
Farr was known for his comedy on-screen and in clubs across Los Angeles.
Jamie Farr left quite the legacy behind after his long 11-season portrayal of Cpl. Maxwell Klinger on M*A*S*H (1972). The role started as a small part and was originally intended to be a one-episode wonder. However, his character quickly turned into a fan favorite.
With his cross-dressing, comedic timing and relatability, Cpl. Klinger was hard not to love. As much as his character tried escaping the 4077th, he sure became an essential part of it.
Despite some initial mixed reviews from viewers watching at home, Klinger never knocked his character. Even with his famous flower hats and low-cut dresses, Farr learned to embrace his character, and so did his many fans.
"The character will get tired of me before I do of it," Farr said in a 1976 interview The Cincinnati Post.
Farr said he'd continue to like his character as long as the writers kept making Klinger genuine, believable and fresh. With fits like his, they had the fresh part down pat.
Many fans would argue that the reason his character stood out among the rest wasn't just because of his distinctive fashion, but rather his comedic timing and delivery.
Farr's career was more well-rounded than his M*A*S*H character by far. According to the interview, during series' hiatus he would make rounds on daytime television, like Dinah! (1974), where he would display his wide range of comedic abilities. To further his comedy career, Farr said he was also in the process of developing a nightclub routine.
"To develop my act, I appear unheralded in the improvisation and try-out clubs around Los Angeles to test my material and timing," Farr said. "Frankly, I have ranged from a very good 20 minutes to a very, very bad next 20 minutes."
He used his time on M*A*S*H as a way to make a name for himself in comedy, with the hope of going on the road with it. Although, if he had wanted to go on tour performing comedy, all he would have needed to do was put on one of Klinger's iconic dresses.
"Where could I get as much exposure, playing to millions of viewers each week, and have as much fun?" Farr said. "There's never a dull moment on the M*A*S*H set. I think we have the happiest, nuttiest, cast in television."
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5 Comments
"Well-rounded" isn't a sacrosanct turn of phrase, on which modifiers must be tacked. Just write BETTER-rounded.
Simplify.
