Actress Judy Farrell, who played Nurse Able in eight episodes of M*A*S*H, died Sunday (April 2) at the age of 85. Her first appearance was in the Season 5 episode “Out of Sight, Out of Mind” and her final appearance came in the series finale, “Goodbye, Farewell and Amen” during Season 11. Farrell was credited in a total of seven episodes and, according to her Internet Movie Database page, also appeared uncredited in the Season 5 episode “Post Op.”
Loretta Swit released the following statement to Fox News Digital:
“Judy was a most beautiful woman – inside and out. We grew up together. She was family. This has been a painful loss, but we will always have the beauty of her memory. Rest in peace, Nurse Able.”
Judy Farrell’s acting career started in 1969 with guest role on the TV series Judd for the Defense. In 1970, she played a nurse in an episode of medical drama The Interns, which co-starred Mike Farrell. She later made guest appearances on shows like Medical Center, The Rookies, Quincy M.E., and Fame before stepping away from acting in the mid-1980s. Her final credited role was a 2006 movie called Long-Term Relationship.
In addition to acting, Judy Farrell was also a scriptwriter. She wrote the script for a 1982 made-for-TV movie called The Kid from Nowhere the co-starred Loretta Swit. She also wrote an episode of Fame in 1983 and penned more than 130 episodes of soap opera Port Charles between 1998 and 2003.
Judy Farrell was married to Mike Farrell from 1963 to 1983. Their daughter Erin was the namesake for B.J.’s daughter Erin.
Obituaries can be found at People, Variety, and Deadline Hollywood.
RIP Judy and thank you for your fine contribution to M*A*S*H.