Jamie Farr, better known as the cross-dressing Klinger from the iconic ‘70s and ‘80s series M*A*S*H, recently revealed how much he was paid for his first episode on the show. And the number might surprise you.
Even though Klinger would eventually become one of the most iconic characters in television history, Farr made his M*A*S*H debut in Season 1, Episode 4 as a one-time guest star. The actor had just come off a stint on F Troop when the show’s director Gene Reynolds invited him to work on a new series.
According to Farr, in a recent interview with former child actor Moosie Drier (who starred alongside George Burns in Oh, God! and made a name for himself in the smash ‘80s Disney Channel hit Kids Incorporated) on the “Pop Culture Retro” podcast, Reynolds, who produced M*A*S*H, said, “There’s only one guy that I think can play this. I didn’t even have to audition for it. I got a phone call, and he said, ‘Jamie, there’s a new show on. It’s on Sunday nights. It’s called M*A*S*H. It’s from the movie that was made. And there’s a part in it for you.”
Alan Alda and Jamie Farr on ‘M*A*S*H’. Photo: Michael Ochs Archives / Getty ImagesMichael Ochs Archives / Getty Images
If you’re wondering what the then-would-be M*A*S*H star was paid for his first day on the set, Drier brought a rumor he had heard, telling Farr, “You were hired for what was supposed to be a one-day role, paying you $250.”
While $250 may not seem like a lot in retrospect, it was actually more than Farr was paid. The actor corrected Drier, explaining, “No. It wasn’t $250. No, it was $153.”
Of course, the Klinger character evolved to become one of the show’s shining stars. While he continued to reprise the role in Seasons 1, 2, and 3, he didn’t formally become a regular cast member until Season 4 in 1975.
Even though Klinger made Farr a household name, the actor said in a 2024 interview with MeTV, “In a sense, it ruined my career. I was accurate in that because I haven’t had a television series since then. It’s been hard to shake that character.” He continued, “People, they don’t separate the character from Jamie Farr the actor. The first thing they do is hit you with dress jokes.”
Following the finale in 1983, Farr briefly reprised his iconic role, playing Klinger again on After M*A*S*H with costars Harry Morgan and William Christopher. He continued acting after the spinoff ended, guest starring on popular shows such as Murder, She Wrote and Mad About You. And hopefully, for Farr’s sake, he was paid more than $153 per episode.
Now, at 92, the actor is retired and enjoying time away from the spotlight.
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