Timothy Farrell

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Movie poster for Timothy Farrell's Girl Gang.

Timothy Farrell, (born June 26, 1922, died May 9, 1989) real name Timothy Sperl, was an American film actor that may be best known for his roles in the Edward D. Wood, Jr. films Jail Bait, The Violent Years, and Glen or Glenda. In the latter film, he plays a doctor who patiently explains to a police detective that there is no shame or scandal in crossdressing, thus providing the contextual backdrop for Wood's story-within-the-story about his own double life as a transvestite.

Farrell led a double life himself, working as a bailiff for the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department while also working in sleazy low-budget movies.

In 1948 he portrayed a doctor in the film Test Tube Babies, a similar role to that in the subsequent Glen or Glenda. He patiently explained to a young couple that there is no shame or scandal in test-tube fertilization.

In 1951, Farrell, along with everyone else on the film set of "Paris After Midnight", was swept up in a police vice raid, which caused him professional embarrassment with his courtroom career.

Farrell's career was notable for its recurring characters:

He made three low-budget exploitation movies in which he played the part of sleazy gymnasium owner Umberto Scalli. These films, largely a vehicle for female-wrestling footage, include Devil's Sleep, Racket Girls, and Dance Hall Racket.
His character of "Joe the Pimp" appeared in Girl Gang and Gun Girls.
His character of "Dr.Wright" appeared in Hometown Girls and the aforementioned Test Tube Babies.
In 1954, his legal and theatrical careers dovetailed in the George Cukor movie A Star is Born, in which he played a bailiff. It happened again in 1958, when he appeared as a bailiff in the short-lived television series Accused.

He went on to work 20 years as an L.A. deputy marshal and eventually was appointed County Marshal in 1971. However, in 1975 he was fired after his conviction of felony charges for "illegal use of deputy marshalls in political activities". He was given a six month sentence, but received probation due to poor health.

Farrell operated a lumber mill in South Dakota at the time of his death in 1989.