American actor
Raised mostly in St. Louis, Missouri, third grade through high school, although he spent his summers in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Graduated from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, which he attended on a football scholarship. The football team were Big Ten Champs in 1951 and 1953, and Rose Bowl Champs in 1952.
Served in the U.S. Army. He entered and won "The All Army Entertainment Contest," and the winners were on "The Ed Sullivan Show".
Tall, powerfully-built U.S. Army veteran, with an equally powerful baritone voice, best known for the title role in the Broadway and film versions of "Lil Abner." Concentrated primarily on stage work thereafter, with only occasional forays into TV and films.
Has five other children from a previous marriage.
Daughter Farrell Beth Palmer was born on April 12, 1983. According to her mother Aniko, Farrell was conceived at the Showboat Theater in St. Petersburg, FL. [Source: The (St. Petersburg) Evening Independent - Oct 20, 1983].
Wife Aniko Farrell was a Broadway actress and former Miss Canada. She has also done a great deal of local theater around the country with husband Peter.
(October 2003) Currently lives in Temple Terrace, Florida.
