Hollywood actor Jamie Farr married his wife, Jo Ann Richards, almost 60 years ago, but when he proposed to her, it was without a ring.
It might seem like an anomaly to get married or propose without a ring, but it is not impossible. Classic actor Jamie Farr and his longtime wife Jo Ann Richards are living proof of this.
Farr did not propose to his woman with a ring, not because he was not chivalrous enough, but because he had no money to purchase a ring. Thankfully, their union did last a lifetime and more.
JAMIE FARR WAS A STRUGGLING ACTOR
Farr’s lack of performing roles at the start of his career caused him to reach his lowest points. He became so desperate that he was willing to accept small payments for engagements.
Farr didn’t consider luxury; all he wanted was to put food in his refrigerator and get by each day with Jo Ann Richards, his then-lover. The actor once revealed that he did something out of character because he was so anxious for a job.
Farr went to the studio of the now-deceased Danby Thomas and stood out until someone spotted him. Fortunately for him, Farr was able to land a role since Thomas’s crew was working on a new show called “The Dick Van Dyke Show.”
He believed that his career was starting to take a more positive turn at that point. It found out that Richards and Van Dyke were raised in the same little town after he introduced them.
Before being cut from “The Dick Van Dyke Show,” Farr had four appearances. Because another actor appeared to know more powerful individuals, the performance did not continue long.
FARR RECEIVED A MIRACLE
Farr was back at the bottom after losing his role on Van Dyke’s TV show, and he was doing everything he could to land another gig on “The Greatest Story Ever Told.” He eventually received a response, but Farr continued to do comedic work since the filmmakers wanted a serious performer.
The filmmakers were too busy selecting the actors to contact Farr after he persuaded them that he could play a significant part. In a lengthy interview, Farr revealed that while he was waiting, he experienced a miracle meeting.
Farr remembered telling Richards that he would pray to St. Jude to get the movie job, and that he frequently drove her to work every day. He then made frequent stops at a Catholic church near Richards’ place of employment.
He would pray to St. Jude, light a candle, and toss in a cent. This continued for some time before he eventually received the call he had been anticipating. It was a really poor one, though.
The “M*A*S*H” actor did not get the acting gig. He was so angry that he drove to the catholic church and berated St Jude. By the time he got home, the star actor’s phone was ringing, and it was from the same movie maker.
Farr was told things switched up, and he got the role. He wasted no time getting ready for his new gig in the next few days. Once again, Farr received another call that showed he was given another role, and it was to play St. Jude
When he was hired for “The Greatest Story Ever Told,” he and his fiancée formally became husband and wife. He remembered getting married to Richard in an orthodox church with the actors portraying Jesus, Mary the Mother of God, and the apostles.
Farr revealed that the minister officiating his wedding became overwhelmed by their presence in that likeness and began to shake.
“This is the first time I ever worked in front of the boss,” the priest said, pointing to actor Max Von Sydow, who played Jesus, when he was asked why he was anxious.
In the nick of time, Farr began to gain more recognition, and as he became famous, he marveled at how far he had come. It did not matter how much the actor made a name for himself because he would often remember the “long dry years.”
In this period of long-suffering, Farr also married his supportive wife. He had not proposed with a ring but promised to get her one once things got better.
It took him 13 years to be able to fulfill the promise. The actor once recalled the fateful day, noting that his family, including his wife and kids, were at their favorite restaurant, and he presented a 1.5-carat emerald ring to his tearful wish.