Farrell was natural in St. Paul, Minnesota, one of four children. Once he was 2 years old, his personal moved to Hollywood, California, where his father worked as a movie studio carpenter. Farrell graduated from either Hollywood High School, served in the United States Marine Corps, and worked at various jobs prior to his acting career. When appearing in M*A*S*H, he besides wrote 5 episodes & directed little joe episodes of the series. Besides existence the writer and a director, he has also been an executive producer and a producer within two television and film.

Potentially prior to he was easily-known, Farrell was an militant for several political & social induces. He has worked by using Human Rights Watch, supported long-term efforts to prevent homelessness and hunger, and opposing capital punishment. He has hanker been deeply taking part within organized labor, particularly as an officer of the Screen Actors' Guild, and has publicly supported actions including a Los Angeles grocery workers' union strike of 2003-2004.

He was a voice of Jonathan Kent on the alive Superman (1996) series with Shelley Fabares, his wife, playing Martha Kent. He has guest starred around Murder, She Wrote, Justice League, Matlock, Mannix, and numerous others.

He married actress Judy Farrell in 1963. It were divorced around 1983. It keep around 2 tykes, Michael & Erin.

In December 31, 1984, he married actress Shelley Fabares.