Judy Farrell’s son, Michael Farrell, confirmed to The Times that the M*A*S*H actress died Sunday morning, April 2, 2023. She was admitted to a hospital after suffering a stroke and died nine days later.
Loretta Swit, who acted alongside Farrell on M*A*S*H, paid tribute to the beloved actress through Entertainment Weekly.
Swit remembered Farrell as the most beautiful woman ‘inside and out.’ She also shared that Farrell was like family to her as they grew up together. She mentioned that it has been a painful loss but her dear ones will always have the beauty of her memory. “Rest in peace, Nurse Able.”
Judy Farrell portrayed Nurse Able in the comedy-drama M*A*S*H
The actress Judy Farrell is synonymously remembered as Nurse Able from M*A*S*H. She played the character in eight episodes of the comedy-drama.
The war television series followed the life and challenges of doctors and support staff at the fictional 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital during the Korean War.
According to The New Yorker, the war television series was one of the highest-rated television series of the time. It is often considered the gold standard for quality programming to this day.
The show received audience and critics acclaim alike. The much-appreciated series aired from 1972 to 1983 and has remained a favorite among new generations as well.
Nurse Able was a generic name in the series, it derived from the phonic alphabets that the United States military used in the 1950s. Nurse Able was a small character and at least 11 different actresses portrayed it.
Over the seasons, the character evolved from single-line dialogues and become a significant part of the series by the 4th season.
The late Judy Farrell took the role from season 6 and portrayed it until the finale in season 11. Throughout the seasons she appeared only as Nurse Able in the ending credits which made the audience remember her as Nurse Able in the future as well.
The M*A*S*H actress also appeared in other popular TV shows, including Fame, Quincy M.E., and The Partridge Family. Furthermore, she took the position of screenplay writer from 1998 to 2003.
During this period she wrote for the General Hospital spinoff Port Charles. One of the most recent works is playing Diane Harris in the 2006 romantic comedy Long-Term Relationship.
Filmmaker Rob Williams shared a tribute
Judy Farrell worked alongside the filmmaker Rob Williams for his 2006 LGBT romance film Long-Term Relationship. In memory of their collaboration and Farrell’s demise, Williams shared a tribute post through social media. He reminisced about the film’s production as the film also marked his debut in the world of cinema.
“[I was] Very sad to hear about the death of Judy Farrell. Most people know her from her role as A Nurse Able on M*A*S*H, but many of you will remember her wonderful performance in my first film, Long-Term Relationship.”
He further shared that the script of the film was developed in the Twin Bridges Screenwriting Salon. Judy and her husband Joe Bratcher who also played her husband in Long-Term Relationship ran the place as mentors for budding screenwriters.
Williams also mentioned feeling honored that the couple agreed to be in the movie. He dearly remembers Judy as kind and funny. He also recalls how she was very supportive and states that she will be missed by all.
Farewell started acting in 1969 with Judd, for the Defence
Judy Farrell was born in Quapaw, Oklahoma, on May 11, 1938. She started her journey as an actress in 1969 by featuring in two episodes of Judd, for the Defense, and one episode of Get Smart.
Following this, she continued working in television, appearing for an episode here and there during the next decade before she achieved her most notable role as Nurse Able in 1976.
M*A*S*H remains a memorable series for Farrell as she also worked alongside her former husband in the war television series. Judy and co-star Mike Farrell, who played Captain. B.J. Hunnicutt was married in 1963. The actors went separate ways in 1983 after 20 years of marriage. They also share two children together- Michael and Erin Farrell.
Following the separation of Judy Farrell from her husband, she married actor and producer Joe Bratcher in 1985. She is survived by Bratcher and her two children following her death after nine days of suffering from a stroke on Sunday, April 2, 2023.