Lee Farr (born Leon Farb; April 10, 1927 – March 23, 2017) was an American actor best known for his starring role as Lt. Jimmy Conway in the television series The Detectives during the 1950s and 1960s.[1]

Lee Farr
Farr in a network publicity photo for the 1967 episode of The Invaders titled "Doomsday Minus One"
Born
Leon Farb

(1927-04-10)April 10, 1927
DiedMarch 23, 2017(2017-03-23) (aged 89)
Resting placeMount Sinai Memorial Park Cemetery
OccupationActor
Spouse
(m. 1949; div. 1955)
Children1

Early years

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Farr was born Leon Farb in New York on April 10, 1927, to Rose (née Draisin) Farb and Jacob Farb, a photographer.[1] He was raised in Brooklyn and graduated from Boys High School in the borough's Bedford–Stuyvesant neighborhood.[1] He enlisted in the United States Navy before enrolling at Penn State University, where he received a bachelor's degree in geophysics.[1] While at Penn State, he took some acting courses and acted in school plays.[2]

Career

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Farr began his career as a geologist before transitioning to acting.

He appeared in The Detectives' first season.[3] His other television work from the 1950 to the 1970s also included appearances on Perry Mason, Bonanza, Lassie, Mission: Impossible, The Rifleman, Laramie, Trackdown and M Squad.[1] His film credits included Thundering Jets in 1958, Tarawa Beachhead in 1958, Lone Texan in 1959, and Gunfighters of Abilene in 1960.[1]

Death

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Farr died from cancer at his home in the Woodland Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, on March 23, 2017, at the age of 89.[1] He was survived by his daughter, Denise Farr (wife of actor Don Gordon), whom he had with his first wife, actress Felicia Farr. He was predeceased by his sister, Lottie Kelban, and his half-brothers, Abe Caroff and Dave Caroff.[1]

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
1958 The True Story of Lynn Stuart Ben Uncredited
1958 Thundering Jets Capt. Murphy
1958 Tarawa Beachhead Sgt. Anderson – Marine Photographer Uncredited
1959 Lone Texan Riff
1959 Gunfighters of Abilene Jud Hainline
1961 The Rifleman Carl Avery

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Lee Farr obituary". Los Angeles Times. March 27, 2017. Retrieved April 16, 2017.
  2. ^ Handte, Jerry (January 7, 1960). "Will Rocks Spoil Farr's TV Success?". Binghamton Press. New York, Binghamton. p. 38. Retrieved December 1, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.  
  3. ^ Aaker, Everett (2011). Encyclopedia of Early Television Crime Fighters: All Regular Cast Members in American Crime and Mystery Series, 1948–1959. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Co. p. 214. ISBN 978-0-7864-6409-8.
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