Farr’s first film roles were in 1955 in "Blackboard Jungle" (credited as Jameel Farah) and as a fruit vendor in "Kismet" (uncredited). After this, he was drafted by the United States Selective Service into the United States Army, undergoing his basic training with the 6th Infantry Division, Fort Ord, California. He served for two years, in Japan on the radio and Korea on television, making him one of three cast members of the "M*A*S*H" cast to have served in the U.S. military in Korea (the others being Alan Alda and Mike Farrell).