It might seem out of the ordinary to get married or propose without a ring, but it is not impossible. Actor Jamie Farr and his longtime wife, Joy Ann Richards, are proof of this. The former proposed to his wife without a ring as he could not afford one. But many years, things turned around for the better.
At 88, American Television and Film Comedian and Theatre Actor Jamie Farr have lived a life worthy of emulation. Best known for his role in the CBS television sitcom “MAS*H,” the legend is undeniably inspiring to many up-and-coming actors and comedians.
However, his journey to stardom was filled with several ups and downs. Farr was only a high school graduate when he left his town to study acting and promised not to return until he was successful.
The actor, son of a butcher and seamstress, kept to his words. He enrolled at the Pasadena Playhouse when he was only 18 years old. Not long after, he landed the role of Santini in “The Blackboard Jungle.”
Things looked promising for Farr, but unfortunately, the next few years would see him at his lowest lows as he struggled to get gigs.
During this struggling phase of the star’s life, he met the love of his life, Joy Ann Richards. Not long after their meeting, the pair started dating.
Farr and Richards stayed together for a while, and even though the former was a nobody with nothing, he knew Richards was the one for him. So, Farr took their relationship to the next level, popping the big question. Farr said to Richards:
“Look, I may not have anything. You may be hitching your star to a falling comet, but why don’t we take a chance.”
At the time, the comedian struggled financially because he could not afford a ring to propose. Yet, Richards said yes. By 1963, the couple walked down the aisle and later welcomed two kids, Jonas and Yvonne.
For Farr, caring for a family while struggling was a difficult feat. The actor once recalled doing menial jobs like working as a delivery guy, post office clerk, and a pooper scooper at a Chinchilla ranch to support his family.
At some point, Farr even enlisted in the army, yet he was unsure of the next meal. Yet, despite all the challenges, Richards proved her genuine love for the actor.
She stayed by his side through it all, and eventually, her patience, love, and tolerance paid off. After many years of struggling, Farr finally got a breakthrough. He landed a role on “MAS*H,” which eventually skyrocketed his career.
He featured in other productions, and in no time, Farr could finally afford the life he had wanted. With enough financial stability, the actor fulfilled his promise to his wife.
Thirteen years after their marriage, Farr gave Richards the engagement ring he once could not afford. The jewelry was a 1.5-carat emerald piece surrounded by diamonds. It was an emotional and unforgettable day.
The engagement ring was only one out of the many luxuries Farr provided. The comedian purchased a $450,000 property in Bell Canyon Estate for his family.
Farr also ensured that his kids’ rooms looked like Christmas was the previous day. According to the icon, he wanted Jonas and Yvonne to know they were lucky.
Jamie Farr’s Wife’s Reaction to Women Fawning Over Her Husband
Farr joined the cast of “MAS*H” in October 1972 as Maxwell Klinger. The actor’s character wore dresses to try to convince the army that he was crazy.
The transvestite spice in his character was one of the multiple reasons viewers remained captivated. Even when he made public appearances during his nightclub acts, people almost demanded that he include the transvestite aspect in his routines.
But, overall, Farr garnered a lot of die-hard fans, including women who fawned over him. The entertainment icon once confessed:
“Those women go crazy for me. They run to me at airports or wherever and kiss me.”
Although the fans acted out of love, to Richards, it was “hilarious” seeing women go crazy about her husband. Farr once recalled when a woman stopped nursing her baby because she wanted an autograph from the actor.
On another occasion, he had to sign about 700 autographs before escaping the numerous female fans that once surrounded him in his hometown in Toledo, Ohio. Nevertheless, Farr made it known that he did not mind, as he loved the attention he got from the women.
Farr and Richards’ marriage is one that many young couples look up to. The lovebirds have been married for more than five decades and currently show no signs of parting ways anytime soon.