Mike Farrell
Actor, activist, and longtime president of Death Penalty Focus.
Michael Joseph Farrell Jr. was born on February 6, 1939, in South St. Paul, Minnesota, one of four children to Agnes Sarah Cosgrove and Michael Joseph Farrell. When he was two, his family relocated to Hollywood, California, where his father worked as a carpenter on film sets. Farrell attended West Hollywood Grammar School alongside future actress Natalie Wood and later graduated from Hollywood High School. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1957 to 1959 before pursuing various jobs and eventually an acting career.
Farrell’s early television work included guest roles on series such as *Lassie*, *The Monkees*, *I Dream of Jeannie*, and *Combat!*, as well as an uncredited appearance as a bellhop in the 1967 film *The Graduate*. He originated the role of Scott Banning on the soap opera *Days of Our Lives* in 1968 and later starred in the CBS prime-time series *The Interns* in 1970. After a period under contract with Universal Studios, he appeared in *The Questor Tapes* and guest-starred on numerous shows including *Bonanza*, *Mannix*, and *The Six Million Dollar Man*.
His major breakthrough came in 1975 when he was cast as Captain B.J. Hunnicutt on *M*A*S*H*, replacing Wayne Rogers. Farrell remained with the series for its final eight seasons, during which he wrote five episodes and directed four. His then-wife, actress Judy Farrell, appeared eight times on the show as Nurse Able. Following *M*A*S*H*, he voiced Jonathan Kent in *Superman: The Animated Series* and appeared in *Murder, She Wrote*, *Desperate Housewives*, and *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit*. He also co-produced the 1988 film *Dominick and Eugene* and produced *Patch Adams* (1998) with partner Marvin Minoff. From 1999 to 2002, Farrell starred as veterinarian Jim Hansen on the NBC drama *Providence*. Beyond acting, he has been a longtime activist and has served as President of Death Penalty Focus since 1994, opposing capital punishment and raising funds for inmates he believes are innocent.
- born
- February 6, 1939
- field
- Actor, producer, activist
- nationality
- American
- known_for
- Captain B.J. Hunnicutt on M*A*S*H (1975–1983)
Lore & Background
Farrell was born in South St. Paul, Minnesota, one of four children. When he was two, his family relocated to Hollywood, California, where his father worked as a carpenter on film sets. He attended West Hollywood Grammar School, sharing a class with fellow actor Natalie Wood, and later graduated from Hollywood High School. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1957 to 1959 before pursuing acting. Farrell is best known for playing Captain B.J. Hunnicutt on *M*A*S*H* from 1975 to 1983, a role he won after Wayne Rogers left the series. He also wrote five episodes and directed four of the show. Beyond acting, he co-produced the film *Patch Adams* (1998) and starred in the television series *Providence* (1999–2002) as veterinarian Jim Hansen. Farrell has been a prominent activist and public speaker, serving as President of Death Penalty Focus since 1994. He is a long-time opponent of capital punishment and has helped raise defense funds for inmates he believes are innocent.
Reader's Guide
Farrell’s breakthrough arrived in 1975 when he replaced Wayne Rogers on *M*A*S*H*, originating the role of Captain B.J. Hunnicutt for the series’ fourth season. He remained with the show for its final eight years, during which he wrote five episodes and directed four; his then-wife, actress Judy Farrell, appeared eight times as Nurse Able. After *M*A*S*H*, he starred in the NBC melodrama *Providence* as veterinarian Jim Hansen, appearing in 64 of its 96 episodes. He also played Milton Lang on *Desperate Housewives* during the 2007–08 season and guest-starred on *Murder, She Wrote*, *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit*, and *Supernatural*. In 2014 he was a supporting cast member on the Sundance crime drama *The Red Road*, and later portrayed real-estate baron Lee Miglin in FX’s *American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace*. Farrell co-produced the television film *Memorial Day* (1983) and in 1985 partnered with Marvin Minoff to form Farrell/Minoff Productions. The company produced *Dominick and Eugene* (1988), earning Tom Hulce a Golden Globe nomination, and *Patch Adams* (1998) starring Robin Williams. Beyond acting, Farrell has been president of Death Penalty Focus since 1994, advocating against capital punishment and raising defense funds for inmates he believes are innocent.
Did You Know?
- Farrell was a finalist for the role of B.J. Hunnicutt along with Alan Fudge and James Cromwell.
- He served as an observer for Amnesty International during a surgery on guerrilla commander Nidia Diaz in El Salvador.
- Farrell voiced Jonathan Kent in Superman: The Animated Series (1996) alongside his wife Shelley Fabares as Martha Kent.
- He wrote an autobiography titled Just Call Me Mike: A Journey to Actor and Activist (2007).
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