Over the years, he’s appeared in one-man stage shows portraying a young president as well as a famous attorney. His latest venture is that of a scientist whose work gave the world its first warning signs of global warming in the late 1950s.
“Dr. Keeling’s Curve” stars Mike Farrell, who starred for eight seasons as Dr. B.J. Hunnicutt on the popular television show “M*A*S*H” as well as numerous other television shows over the last five decades. It can be seen on Monday, Feb. 22, at 6 p.m. at the Sedona Performing Arts Center as part of the Sedona International Film Festival.
According to information from SIFF, the play combines Dr. David Keeling’s personal journey with the insights of atmospheric scientists who, hundreds of years earlier, made discoveries that laid the foundation for his own work.
Today, when not acting, Farrell serves as an activist for many causes focusing on the environment as well as his goal of seeing the death penalty abolished nationwide. In addition, he’s the co-chair emeritus of Human Rights Watch, spokesman for Concern America and co-founder of Artists United to Win Without War.
In a phone interview with the Sedona Red Rock News, Farrell talked about the play, being an activist and his time on “M*A*S*H.”
Q: What are your thoughts about performing at the Sedona International Film Festival?
“I’m thrilled with the invitation and looking forward to doing the show. I said it was kind of like the onion in the carrot patch but Patrick [Schweiss] said they offer a variety of things and not just films at the festival.”
Q: How did “Dr. Keeling’s Curve” come about? Did someone come to you with the idea of doing a one-man show or vice versa?
“I was approached while taking out the trash by George Shea who lived in my neighborhood. He said he had an idea that was urgently necessary for people to learn more about. When I read the script I felt it was a very important issue but I felt the trick would be how to make it into a play and not just a lecture. After working together on a couple of drafts, we felt it became something people could enjoy and not something just filled with a bunch of scary facts.”
Q: What was it about Dr. Keeling’s story that appealed to you?
“I knew nothing about Dr. Keeling but I was very pleased and surprised when learning more about him. I talked with his former colleagues [he died in 2005] and his son, who I got a tremendous amount of support from. Being someone who is aware of our impact on the environment, his story really appealed to me.”
Q: This is the third one-man show you’ve done over the years. What do you enjoy most about doing them?
“I had always seen one-man shows as being rather intimidating. But about 30 years ago I got the opportunity to play [John F. Kennedy]. I was really thrilled but kind of scared because it had been done many times before and I wanted to do it justice. Next, I was able to play [attorney] Clarence Darrow. Until that point, only Henry Fonda had portrayed him on stage. Again, that was both exciting and intimidating.”
Q: You’re very active in many causes. Do you wish more celebrities would lend their name and fame for various causes?
“It’s important for everyone to be more involved. I’m glad that some of my colleagues have lent their time and their name to issues. But it’s embarrassing when some do it for the wrong reasons and make themselves and the issue look stupid.”
Q: When you joined “M*A*S*H,” the show was already an established Top 10 hit. Was that a bit daunting coming into a situation like that?
“It was terrifying. I was a great admirer of the show and I remember the first time watching it being transfixed. I was very envious of those who were on the show. Around that time I was offered the leading role in another show. It was your typical sitcom and I turned it down. When I was asked why, I said it wasn’t ‘M*A*S*H.’”
Q: What was it about that show that appealed to audiences consistently for more than a decade and in syndication ever since?
“Everyone could relate to those characters and could understand what they were going through, They were in this God-forsaken place trying to survive and make it home alive. I still get fan mail from people who say how much they loved the show and continue to watch it more 30 years after it went off the air.”
Q: When the show ended, was it difficult to walk away from being B.J. Hunnicutt?
“I’m not sure if I have ever really been able to walk away from B.J. I still have people calling me that. It was difficult to leave. In year 10, Alan [Alda] and I had talked about how long we wanted to continue. We wanted to make sure we didn’t ride the horse downhill and get to the point that some executive decided when it was over. We were all sad to say goodbye but agreed that it was what was best for the show.”
Q: It was 16 years before you starred in another TV series, “Providence.” Was that by choice and what was it like getting back into episodic television?
“It was choice. I had done a lot of TV movies but I wasn’t ready to do a series again. Then, in 1999 I was given the script for ‘Providence’ but I said it would never get on the air because it was just too good. I had a meeting with the writers and producer and they said I was the guy wanted. It was a great five years and I believe we could have done more.”
Q: If you do a search for “Mike Farrell,” inevitably preceding your name is “best known for his role in “M*A*S*H” or “best known for his character B.J. Hunnicutt.” When all is said and done, which do you hope to be best known for — your acting or activism?
“I’d rather be known as Michael and Erin’s father. I’m really not into labels but I’ll be happy with being known as an actor, activist and as B.J.”
