Adair made her screen debut in the show’s second episode and played various nurses over its 11-season run.

Gwen Farrell Adair, MASH* actress and boxing referee, dies at 94

Adair made her screen debut in the show's second episode and played various nurses over its 11-season run.

By Wesley Stenzel

Wesley Stenzel

Wesley Stenzel is a news writer at **. He began writing for EW in 2022.

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May 2, 2026 10:41 a.m. ET

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Gwen Farrell Adair on 'M*A*S*H'. Credit:

20th Century Fox Television/Courtesy Everett Collection

- Gwen Farrell Adair, an actress known for multiple roles on *M*A*S*H *who later became a boxing referee, has died at 94.

- Adair portrayed several different nurses across the show's 11-season run.

- She also appeared in movies like *The Towering Inferno* and *Coffy*.

Gwen Farrell Adair, the actress best known for her performances on *M*A*S*H*, has died. She was 94.

The actress' son, Keith Farrell, confirmed his mother's death in a GoFundMe page established to help cover funeral costs.

"Beyond her accomplishments, Gwen was so much more to her family," her loved ones wrote in the GoFundMe description. "She was a grandmother, a guiding light, and a steady source of love and wisdom. She had a way of making those around her feel supported, understood, and cared for without needing recognition."

Her family continued, "Her passing leaves a deep void in our hearts, one that cannot be filled. We will miss her voice, her strength, and the quiet comfort she brought into our lives. While we are heartbroken, we are also incredibly grateful for the life she lived and the legacy she leaves behind."

Deadline reported that the actress died of natural causes in Sherman Oaks, Calif., on Thursday.

Gwen Farrell Adair.

Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times via Getty

Born in Austin in 1972, Adair made her screen debut in the second episode of *M*A*S*H* in 1972, playing an uncredited nurse. She went on to appear in over a dozen episodes in the medical dramedy's first season, and was later credited as Nurse Butler, Nurse Wilson, Lt. Baker, Nurse Able, Nurse Gwen, and an anesthetist across seven more of the show's 11 seasons.

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Adair also made her film debut in 1972 in the blaxploitation movie *Black Gunn*. She went on to appear in small roles in films like *The Towering Inferno*, *Coffy*, *Soylent Green*, *Earthquake*, and *Billy Jack Goes to Washington*. She also acted in a 1975 episode of *Starsky & Hutch*.

Adair switched up her career in 1980 when she entered the boxing world as a referee. "With confidence, fairness, and unwavering composure, she earned the respect of fighters, trainers, and fans alike," her family wrote in the GoFundMe description. "She didn't just do the job; she broke barriers and proved that strength comes in many forms."

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The actress' family asked for financial support in the wake of her death. "As we navigate this difficult time, we are asking for support to help cover funeral and memorial expenses, as well as any related costs that come with laying a loved one to rest with the honor and dignity she deserves," they wrote. "Any contribution, no matter the size, means so much to our family. If you are unable to donate, we truly appreciate you sharing this page and keeping our family in your thoughts and prayers."

The family added, "We are deeply grateful for the love and support during this time of grief."

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