Judy Farrell, the actress best known for her recurring role as Nurse Able on the long-running television series M*A*S*H, died on April 2 at the age of 84.
Her death followed a stroke she suffered nine days earlier. News of her passing was shared by her son, Michael.
According to her son, she was at a hospital and surrounded by family in her final days. While she could not speak after the stroke, she remained alert and aware of her loved ones visiting her.
Family members who went to see her could feel her squeeze their hands, her son reported. The stroke had sadly taken her ability to vocalize her thoughts or feelings to them.
Mike Farrell, her former husband and M*A*S*H co-star, shared details regarding the stroke. He stated that they had been attending their granddaughter’s basketball game just over a week before her death when she suffered the stroke.
She was transported to a nearby hospital, where family members maintained a vigil. All six of them chose times to be with her throughout the week she was hospitalized.
Her family felt encouraged as she seemed to stabilize during her hospital stay. There were plans for her to be moved to a rehabilitation facility.
However, she suddenly passed away early on Sunday morning, the day she was scheduled for the transfer. Her death occurred on April 2, 2023.
Judy Farrell was widely recognized for her recurring role as Nurse Able in the acclaimed wartime dramedy series M*A*S*H. She joined the show in its fifth season in 1976.
Throughout her time on the series, she appeared in a total of eight episodes. This included the notable series finale, which held a significant television ratings record for decades.
Before Farrell took on the role, a character named Nurse Able had existed in earlier seasons. Several different actresses portrayed the character before Farrell made it her own from Season 5 onward.
Her contributions to M*A*S*H solidified her place in the history of the iconic show. M*A*S*H remains one of the most beloved TV dramedies of all time, concluding four decades ago in 1983 after running for 11 seasons, a period longer than the actual Korean War.
Beyond her most famous role, Farrell also appeared in a variety of other television programs. Her credits included appearances on shows such as Get Smart and The Partridge Family.
She also had roles in Quincy, M.E., Fame, and Divorce Court. Her final credited acting role was in the 2006 comedy film Long-Term Relationship.
In addition to her acting career, Farrell was a prolific writer. She is credited with writing 13 episodes of the soap opera Port Charles.
Reports also state she wrote over 100 episodes for the long-running soap opera spinoff. Her talents clearly extended both in front of and behind the camera.
In her personal life, Judy Farrell was first married to actor Mike Farrell. Mike Farrell is well-known for his role as Captain B.J. Hunnicutt, also on M*A*S*H.
The two were married in 1963. Their marriage lasted for twenty years before they ultimately split in 1983.
Together, Judy and Mike Farrell had two children, Michael and Erin. Both children survive their mother.
Interestingly, her marriage to Mike Farrell was incorporated into the script of an episode of M*A*S*H titled “The Colonel’s Horse.” In that episode, Hunnicutt states that his wife is also from Quapaw, Judy Farrell’s birthplace.
The character’s daughter in the show, Erin, was also named after their real-life child together. This detail connected their personal lives directly to the fictional world of the 4077th.
Two years after her divorce from Mike Farrell, she married Joe Bratcher in 1985. She remained married to Joe Bratcher until her death.
Joe Bratcher survives her, as do her two children from her first marriage. She is also survived by her granddaughter, whom she was watching play basketball just before her stroke.
Judy Hayden, as she was born, entered the world on May 11, 1938. Her birthplace was Quapaw, Oklahoma.
She pursued higher education at Oklahoma University, where she earned a fine arts degree in theater. She later obtained her master’s degree at UCLA.
It was during her time at UCLA that she met her future first husband, Mike Farrell. The two performed together at the Laguna Playhouse.
Tributes have been shared remembering Judy Farrell. Loretta Swit, who famously played Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan on M*A*S*H and worked alongside Farrell, provided a heartfelt statement.
Swit described Farrell as “a most beautiful woman — inside and out.” She added, “We grew up together. She was family.”
Loretta Swit conveyed the depth of the loss, stating, “This has been a painful loss, but we will always have the beauty of her memory.” Her tribute concluded with, “Rest in peace, Nurse Able.”
Mike Farrell also remembered his former wife warmly in a statement. He called her “a beautiful woman, a talented actress and a wonderful writer.
He highlighted her personality, noting she was “A jock, a rabid basketball, baseball and football fan.” Mike Farrell also spoke of her sense of humor, which he said “drew people to her.”
“Laughter was the background music whenever she was nearby,” he recalled. He emphasized the affection people had for her, stating, “She was loved by so many.”
His tribute ended with a powerful declaration of enduring love: “She will be deeply loved by all of us, forever.” These words paint a picture of a woman cherished by those who knew her.
The M*A*S*H cast, often described as a close-knit family, has experienced losses over the years. Alan Alda, who starred as Captain Benjamin Franklin “Hawkeye” Pierce, reflected on the cast’s bond.
Alda noted in 2017 that the cast remained close, saying, “We might as well be joined at the hip. We see each other quite frequently.”
He described the pain of losing fellow cast members. “Every time we lose a comrade, it’s a body blow. We feel it harshly, badly.”
Alda underscored the depth of their connection: “People always ask me, ‘Do you ever see them?’ When do I not see them? These aren’t casual acquaintances from years ago. This is my family.” This sentiment resonates strongly when reflecting on the passing of one of their own.
The series celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2022. Alda expressed gratitude that “what we did all those years ago is still on people’s minds.”
Alda even hosted a M*A*S*H reunion on his podcast, “Clear+Vivid with Alan Alda,” in 2018. He explained that the reunion was not just for the sake of getting together, as they have reunions all the time, gathering for dinner at least once a year.
He realized the experience on M*A*S*H taught him something that partly led to the podcast itself. Alda mentioned he was still learning surprising facts about the show’s making, even years later.
Mike Farrell shared a memorable story on the podcast about practical jokes among the cast. Alda, not involved in the jokes, found the story hilarious.
Gary Burghoff, who played Corporal Walter Eugene “Radar” O’Reilly, was another key member of the cast. Burghoff originated the Radar role in the 1970 M*A*S*H film.
He portrayed a different version of the character in the television series, describing the TV Radar as a “more innocent, naive character” compared to the film’s “lone, darker and somewhat sardonic character.”
Burghoff earned six Emmy nominations and one win for his work on the show before departing in 1979. He later appeared in M*A*S*H spinoffs AfterMASH and W*A*L*T*E*R.
After retiring from acting in 1995, Burghoff pursued a career as an inventor, holding patents for items like a fish-attracting device and a toilet seat lifting handle.
Mike Farrell joined M*A*S*H in Season 4, replacing Wayne Rogers as “Trapper” John McIntyre’s partner. He became Alan Alda’s new sidekick as Captain B.J. Hunnicutt.
Mike Farrell remained with the show until its conclusion and was involved in the series finale’s famous “Goodbye” message spelled out in rocks. He received two Emmy nominations for his performance.
Following M*A*S*H, Mike Farrell had a prolific acting career, appearing in shows like Murder, She Wrote and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. He also produced projects, including the film Patch Adams.
Now 84, Mike Farrell is also known for his activism in political and social causes, including animal rights and human rights.
Jamie Farr, whose character Corporal Max Klinger was known for cross-dressing to seek a discharge, was another fan favorite. Farr continued acting after M*A*S*H in numerous shows and films.
He also returned to the stage, making his Broadway debut in 1994. Farr toured in theatre productions and teamed up with fellow M*A*S*H star William Christopher for a version of The Odd Couple.
The camaraderie and lasting bonds among the M*A*S*H cast members highlight the special community Judy Farrell was a part of. Her contributions, both as an actress and writer, touched many lives within that family and among viewers.
As the members of the M*A*S*H family reflect on the loss of Judy Farrell, they remember her as a cherished colleague and friend. The shared experiences on the iconic show created connections that endured for decades.
Judy Farrell’s legacy extends beyond the eight episodes of M*A*S*H to a career that included diverse roles and writing credits. Her passing marks the loss of a talented performer and a beloved member of a television institution.
The warmth and humor described by those who knew her paint a picture of a vibrant personality. While her voice was silenced in her final days, the memory of her spirit lives on with her family and the M*A*S*H community.
May her memory be a blessing to those who loved her and were touched by her work.
