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Michael Joseph Farrell Jr. (born February 6, 1939) is an American actor, best known for his role as Captain B.J. Hunnicutt on the television series M*A*S*H (1975–83). In addition, Farrell was a producer of Patch Adams (1998) starring , and he starred in the television series Providence (1999–2002).

Farrell is also an activist and public speaker for various political causes. He has been the President of Death Penalty Focus since 1994. He is a long-time opponent of the death penalty. In 2001, Farrell said of the work: “I’ve wept many times. But I keep finding people who inspire me—some of them on death row, and more of them in the trenches, in the courts, in religious circles, fighting against the death penalty.” Farrell has helped raise defense funds for inmates he believes are innocent.


Early life
Farrell, one of four children, was born in South St. Paul, Minnesota, the son of Agnes Sarah Cosgrove and Michael Joseph Farrell.

When he was two years old, his family moved from South St. Paul to Hollywood, California, where his father worked as a carpenter on film sets. Farrell attended West Hollywood Grammar School in the same class as fellow actor , and graduated from Hollywood High School. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1957 to 1959. After being discharged, he worked at various jobs before becoming an actor.


Acting career

Early career
During the 1960s, Farrell guest-starred in a few series. Notable roles included playing a young US Forest Service ranger in the Lassie episode "Never Look Back" (February 1967); Federal Agent Modell in the episode "Monkee Chow Mein" on The Monkees in 1967; as a bellhop (uncredited) in in 1967; astronaut Arland in the episode "Genie, Genie, Who's Got the Genie?" on I Dream of Jeannie; an Army doctor in the episode "The Bankroll" of Combat!; and an ex-high school friend turned famous actor of Chet Kincaid in The Bill Cosby Show.

In 1968, he originated the continuing role of Scott Banning in the soap opera Days of Our Lives. In 1970, he starred as one of the young doctors in the prime-time series The Interns, in a cast led by Broderick Crawford. In 1971, he played the assistant to in ABC's The Man and the City. In 1973, while under contract to Universal Studios, Farrell starred with in The Questor Tapes. During the years under contract, he guest-starred in a number of shows, including ; ; Marcus Welby, M.D.; The Six Million Dollar Man; and The New Land; and starred in a television pilot with , which did not sell.

In the early 1970s, Farrell guest-starred in the television Western drama and did a number of commercials as a spokesman for Standard Oil of Indiana (later ), dryers, Butter-Nut coffee, and Plymouth automobiles, among other products.


M*A*S*H (1975–83) and later roles
Farrell's big break came in 1975 when departed M*A*S*H between the third and fourth season. Farrell was recruited for the newly created role of B.J. Hunnicutt, along with series lead , who was already signed to replace for the fourth season. Farrell won the part of B.J. over two other finalists for the role, and (both of whom guest-starred in the series subsequently). Farrell stayed with M*A*S*H for its remaining eight years on the air. During that time, he wrote five episodes and directed four. Farrell's then-wife, actress , appeared eight times in the series as Nurse Able.

Since M*A*S*H, Farrell has guest-starred in Murder, She Wrote; Justice League; Desperate Housewives; and many others. Farrell voiced Jonathan Kent in (1996) with wife voicing Martha Kent.

(2018). 9781538103746, Rowman & Littlefield. .

Farrell hosted several National Geographic Presents specials and starred in a number of television films, including 1983's Memorial Day, which he co-produced. He did two one-man shows: JFK, a One Man Show for PBS and, on stage, a national tour of David W. Rintels' play Clarence Darrow.

In 1985, Farrell partnered with film and television producer to create Farrell/Minoff Productions, a production company. Together, Farrell and Minoff produced numerous television films. In 1986, the company had signed a deal with The Walt Disney Studios wherein the Farrell/Minoff company would develop motion pictures and television properties.

Farrell and Minoff executive-produced Dominick and Eugene, a 1988 film that earned actor a nomination for best actor. The pair also produced 1998's Patch Adams, starring . Farrell and Minoff's partnership lasted more than 25 years until Minoff's death in November 2009.


Providence (1999–2002)
In 1999, Farrell was cast as veterinarian Jim Hansen, the father of the lead character Dr. Sydney Hansen, portrayed by Melina Kanakaredes, on the NBC-TV melodrama series Providence. In his portrayal of Sydney's father, Farrell played opposite , who portrayed his wife, Lynda Hansen. Tomei's character died during the first episode of the series, but continued to appear as a ghost/memory in vignettes of later episodes. Farrell appeared in 64 of the show's 96 episodes.

Farrell appeared as Milton Lang, the father of Victor Lang (), husband of (), on Desperate Housewives during the 2007–08 season.

Farrell was seen in the season 10 episode "Persona" of . He appeared as the character Fred Jones in the season 8 episode "Hunteri Heroici" of Supernatural. In 2014 he was a supporting cast member on the Sundance TV Network criminal drama series The Red Road. He portrayed , a real estate baron who fell victim to serial killer , in FX's anthology series American Crime Story: . Most recently, he appeared in NCIS, playing the role of Judge Miles Deakin in the episode "Judge, Jury..." and "...and Executioner."


Activism
Even before he was well-known, Farrell was an activist for many political and social causes. He was co-chair of the California Human Rights Watch for ten years, was on the Board of Advisors of the original Cult Awareness Network, and has been president of Death Penalty Focus for more than 10 years, being the first person to be awarded its Human Rights Award, subsequently named after him in 2006. He received PETA's Humanitarian Award in 2001 and narrated a public service campaign for them about animal abuse.

In 1985, Farrell was in Central America, helping refugees from the civil war in . A guerrilla commander, , had been taken prisoner. She needed surgery, but no Salvadoran doctor would help her, so Medical Aid for El Salvador recruited a foreign doctor. Farrell was present as an observer for Amnesty International but was, in his words, "shanghaied into assisting with the surgery" when the doctor said his help was needed. The in-prison surgery was successful, and Diaz went on to be one of the signatories of the Chapultepec Peace Accords, the peace treaty ending the war.

Farrell has been active in the Screen Actors Guild. In 2002 he was elected first vice president of the Guild in Los Angeles and served in the post for three years.

In 2006, Farrell appeared with and in the documentary Whose War?, examining the U.S. role in the . He also served on the advisory board of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation.

In 2014, Farrell workshopped a play by George Shea that brought Charles David Keeling and his scientific work on atmospheric emissions to life.

In 2016, after the US presidential election of , Farrell appeared in a commercial to urge Republican electors to block Trump from becoming president by having 37 electors vote for instead.Archived at Ghostarchive and the Https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUmlQcw9UKo" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"> Wayback Machine:


Publications
Farrell wrote an autobiography, Just Call Me Mike: A Journey to Actor and Activist (, ), published in 2007. The book covers his working-class childhood in West Hollywood, his break into show business, his personal life, and his increasing involvement in politics and the human rights movement in the United States, Cambodia, and Latin America. His second book, Of Mule and Man (2009, Akashic Books, ), is a journal of his five-week, 9,000-mile drive around the U.S. to promote the paperback edition of his first book.


Personal life
In 1963, Farrell married actress , who was working as a high school English and drama teacher in Laguna Beach, California.
(2025). 9781933354484, Akashic Books/RDV Books. .
They separated in 1980 and divorced in 1983. They have two children, Michael and Erin. On M*A*S*H, Hunnicutt's daughter was also named Erin. Also on M*A*S*H, in the episode "The Colonel's Horse" (season 5, episode 12), a phone call is placed to Hunnicutt's father-in-law, Floyd Hayden, Hayden being the maiden name of Judy, Farrell's wife. He lives in Quapaw, Oklahoma, Judy's birthplace. Judy Farrell also acted on M*A*S*H from 1976 to 1983 as Nurse Able.

Since 1984, he has been married to actress .

At the start of M*A*S*H's seventh season, Farrell grew a for the B.J. Hunnicutt character, even though such a below the upper lip was then, as now, a clear violation of Army uniform guidelines, especially when left untrimmed. The normally clean-shaven Farrell grew it out for the character, as fashion trends at the time made the moustache in general popular for the first time since the beginning of the 20th century, due in part to fellow actors such as and , as well as The Mustache Gang of the Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball. While Farrell retained the moustache for the B.J. character for the rest of the series and saw a rise in acting jobs because of it, Farrell himself quickly grew tired of it and did not want to be with "B.J.-like roles" for the rest of his career.


Selected filmography

Film
1963Captain Newman, M.D.PatientUncredited
1966The Year of 53 Weeks
(USAF Training Film)
Captain Ralph Kendall, T-38 Instructor PilotUncredited
1967CountdownHouston EngineerUncredited
1967Bellhop in Hotel LobbyUncredited
1968Panic in the CityDick BlaineCredited as Michael Farrell
1968Man in Phonebooth
1968Dayton's DevilsVoucher Captain
1969Worthy to StandFred WashburnShort film
1976Doomsday Machine1st Reporter
1981Narrator
1983Citizen: The Political Life of Allard K. Lowenstein Executive producer
1988Dominick and Eugene Producer
1990LockdownPrentis
1995The Killers WithinCongressman Clayton
1996Hanged on a Twisted CrossDietrich Bonhoeffer
1998Patch Adams Producer
2006Jonathan Kent (voice)Direct-to-video A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
2007Out at the WeddingFather of the Bride


Television
1963The Dick Powell TheatreYoung Couple BoyCredited as Michael Farrell
1963McHale's NavyThe GunnerEpisode: "Washing Machine Charlie"
1963Ensign O'TooleFergusonEpisode: "Operation: Physical"
1966Combat!DoctorEpisode: "The Bankroll"
1967The MonkeesAgent ModellEpisode: "Monkee Chow Mein"
1967Iron HorseDebuyEpisode: "The Return of Hode Avery"; uncredited
1967CusterFirst TrooperEpisode: "Desperate Mission"
1967Garrison's GorillasThe CaptainEpisode: "Black Market"
1967–1969LassieRanger / Joe3 episodes
1967–1974IronsideLen Parsons / Bellhop2 episodes
1968I Dream of JeannieAstronaut ArlandEpisode: "Genie, Genie, Who's Got the Genie: Part 3"
1968Daniel BooneJohnsonEpisode: "The Spanish Fort"
1968Judd for the DefensePolice Lieutenant / Employment Clerk2 episodes
1968This Is the Lifeunknown roleEpisode: "Happiness is Dirty Hands"
1968–1970Days of Our LivesScott BanningSeries regular (157 episodes)
1969The Name of the GameReporterEpisode: "The Inquiry"; uncredited
1969The Bill Cosby ShowAl SocconisEpisode: "A Word from Our Sponsor"
1970Clay RieglesEpisode: "Blind Mirror"
1970–1971The InternsDr. Sam MarshSeries regular (24 episodes)
1971SargeSteve WainwrightEpisode: "A Terminal Case of Vengeance"
1971–1972The Man and the CityAndy HaysSeries regular (15 episodes)
1971–1973Love, American StyleThe Young Man / Jack2 episodes
1972Dr. Vic WheelwrightEpisode: "Discovery at Fourteen"
1972The Sixth SenseDr. Gil ClarkeEpisode: "Witch, Witch, Burning Bright"
1972The Longest NightWillisTelevision film
1972Jigsawunknown roleEpisode: "The Men"
1972CannonRon CotaEpisode: "Stakeout"
1972Dr. James WillisEpisode: "The Hidden Enemy"
1972Circle of FearFrank SimmonsEpisode: "Elegy for a Vampire"
1972Jason TrotterEpisode: "The Greatest Collection of Them All"
1972Frank EssexEpisode: "The Wheel of Death"
1972The Wide World of MysteryStevenEpisode: "Nightmare Step"
1972–1973Owen Marshall, Counselor at LawBrad Newman / Blair Cameron2 episodes
1972–1974Marcus Welby, M.D.Frank Ferra / Clifford Lorimer2 episodes
1973She Cried MurderWalter StepanicTelevision film
1974The Questor TapesJerry RobinsonTelevision film
1974Live Again, Die AgainJames CarmichaelTelevision film
1974The New Landunknown roleEpisode: "The World Is: Persistence"
1974The Six Million Dollar ManDavid TateEpisode: "The Pioneers"
1974Cole HarrisEpisode: "Material Witness"
1975Ladies of the CorridorPaul OsgoodTelevision film
1975–1980Dinah!Himself (Guest)5 episodes
1976–1977The Hollywood SquaresHimself (Panelist)3 episodes
1976–1979The $25,000 PyramidHimself (Celebrity Contestant)5 episodes
1977–1977Himself (Panelist)6 episodes
1975–1983M*A*S*HCaptain B.J. HunnicuttSeries regular (179 episodes)
Writer (8 episodes)
1976McNaughton's DaughterColin PierceMiniseries
1976–1984The $10,000 PyramidHimself (Celebrity Contestant)49 episodes
1978BatteredMichael HawksTelevision film
1979Sex and the Single ParentGeorgeTelevision film
1979Letters from FrankRichard MillerTelevision film
1979Ebony, Ivory and Jade Television film; writer
1979–1980The Tonight Show Starring Johnny CarsonHimself (Guest)2 episodes
1980Father Damien: The Leper PriestRobertsonTelevision film
1982Prime SuspectFrank StaplinTelevision film
1982The Merv Griffin ShowHimself (Guest)Episode: "01.22.1982"
1982The Regis Philbin ShowHimself (Guest)Episode: "#1.81"
1983Memorial DayMatt WalkerTelevision film; also executive producer
1983Choices of the HeartAmbassador Robert E. WhiteTelevision film
1984J.F.K.: A One-Man ShowJohn Fitzgerald KennedyTelevision film
1984The $25,000 PyramidHimself (Celebrity Contestant)5 episodes
1985Private SessionsDr. Joe BradenTelevision film
1986Vanishing ActHarry KenyonTelevision film
1989A Deadly SilenceAttorney GianelliTelevision film
1989Incident at Dark RiverTim McFallTelevision film
Also executive producer and writer
1990CoachJeffreyEpisode: "A Jerk at the Opera"
1990Murder, She WroteDrew BordenEpisode: "The Family Jewels"
1990Frederick Forsyth PresentsJoe RothEpisode: "The Price of the Bride"
1991The Whereabouts of JennyVan ZandyTelevision film
1991MatlockJudge David Bennett2 episodes
1991Silent MotiveDetective Paul TrellaTelevision film; also producer
1991Memories of M*A*S*HHimselfTelevision special
1994Frank CraneTelevision film
1994Himself (Host)Episode: "Mike Farrell//Bruce Gold, and more!"
1995The MonroesTustin3 episodes
1996Vows of DeceptionClay SpencerTelevision film
1996–1999Jonathan Kent (voice)9 episodes
1997Sins of the MindWilliam (voice)Television film; also executive producer
1997–2003BiographyHimself (Interviewee)2 episodes
1999Jeopardy!Himself (Celebrity Contestant)"S15 EP #184"
1999The Vatican RevealedNarratorTelevision film
1999–2002ProvidenceDr. James HansenSeries regular (96 episodes)
2000The 70s: The Decade That Changed TelevisionHimself (Host)Television film
2002M*A*S*H: 30th Anniversary ReunionHimselfTelevision special; also executive producer
2003Kenneth LayTelevision film
2003Justice LeagueJonathan Kent (voice)Episode: "Comfort and Joy"
2004The ClinicDr. Cyrus GachetTelevision film
2004Justice League UnlimitedJonathan Kent, Brainiac Drone (voice)Episode: "For the Man Who Has Everything"
2005LocustsLyle RierdenTelevision film
2005Larry King LiveHimself (Guest)1 episode
2006E! True Hollywood StoryHimself (Interviewee)Episode: "Michael J. Fox"
2007SmithDr. Breenunknown episode
2007–2008Desperate HousewivesMilton Lang3 episodes
2008Jonah MalcolmEpisode: "Persona"
2009Without a TraceRoss BaldwinEpisode: "Hard Landing"
2009Bill JettEpisode: "Do Over"
2010Dr. Carl WillisEpisode: "Golden Hour"
2012SupernaturalFred JonesEpisode: "Hunteri Heroici"
2014–2015The Red RoadDavid Rogers7 episodes
2018Lee Miglin2 episodes
2019NCISJudge Miles Deakin2 episodes


Accolades
1980M*A*S*H*Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy or Variety or Music Series (for playing B.J. Hunnicutt) [3]
1982M*A*S*H*Directors Guild Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series (for episode "Death Takes a Holiday")
1981M*A*S*H*Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series (for episode "Death Takes a Holiday") [4]
1982The Body Human: Becoming a ManDaytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performer in Children's Programming
1993 Women in Film Crystal + Lucy Award for Humanitarian Award
2009M*A*S*H*TV Land Award for Impact Award (shared with , , William Christopher, , Jeff Maxwell, , , David Odgen Stiers, , )
2018Gold Derby Award for Ensemble of the Year (shared with Joanna Adler, Annaleigh Ashford, Jon Jon Briones, , Penelope Cruz, Jay R. Ferguson, , , , , , Edgar Ramirez, )


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