Farrah Fawcett: Profile of a Life
A Brief Look at the Life of the Former Charlie’s Angels Star
May 17, 2009
…"I was thinking I would miss the rain. I wonder if you can experience the rain in Heaven, if God will let you dip your wings down," "But my biggest expectation now is just to live. I will not go gently into that goodnight ..." (Farrah Fawcett, “Farrah’s Story”, 2009)
A perceptible gasp of shock rippled throughout all of Hollywood when, in 2006, it was revealed that the-then 59 year-old Farrah Fawcett had been diagnosed with cancer. Best known for her role on the 1970s television series, Charlie’s Angels, and for the world-famous, one-piece red swimsuit poster spotlighting her widely imitated tousled hairstyle, Fawcett’s mid-life battle with a relentlessly persistent strain of cancer struck a chord with fans and non-fans alike. Something about her tragic ordeal, much like the totality of her see-saw personal history of triumphs and tragedies, resonated with the general public and brought on a tidal wave of empathy and curiosity.
Farrah's Story
The woman whom many remembered as a dazzling beauty, was born Ferrah Leni Fawcett in 1947 and was plucked from the obscurity of Corpus Christi, Texas to land upon the world stage as a global pop icon, actress and sex symbol for the ages. At 62, she boldly documented her struggle with life threatening anal cancer in the May 2009 telepic, “Farrah’s Story.”
That NBC television broadcast, which turned her private suffering into an empathetic public spectacle, featured a gaunt, and visibly weakened and weathered Fawcett, enduring exhaustive medical treatments while being surrounded by family, friends and well wishers. As proof to the general interest in her story, preliminary ratings released from the network that week confirmed a viewership of an estimated 8.9 million people, making it NBC's most-watched program in its Friday night time slot in more than a year, rivaled only by the Olympic Games.
Even in one of her most unflattering moments, Farrah Fawcett could still draw an audience.
Career Path and Highlights
Up until she collided with cancer, Farrah Fawcett always defied the odds and exceeded expectations. Because of her natural good looks, Fawcett was often dismissed as just a beauty pageant winner with nothing else going for her except her looks. She attended the University of Texas in Austin, but did not graduate. Her success was not to be found in a laboratory, but on the small screen.
Beginning with appearances in television commercials for skin creams, toothpaste, and shampoos (among her most notable commercials was a 1973 Noxzema commercial with NFL quarterback, Joe Namath), Farrah Fawcett quickly achieved renown and fame as a spokes model with aspirations for acting.
In 1976, she co-starred in the television series Charlie’s Angels in the character of Jill Munroe. That same year, capitalizing on her sparkling smile and luscious flowing blond locks, Fawcett posed for an iconic swimsuit poster. That poster went on to sell 12 million copies, making it the highest selling celebrity pin up poster of all time. The hairstyle she made famous also took on a life of its own as women all over the world began wearing what would soon became known as “The Farrah. "
But, her greatest achievements were still yet to come. Upon leaving Charlie Angels after just one year, Fawcett turned to serious acting and received critical acclaim for her award-winning performances on both stage and screen. These included "Murder in Texas" (television, 1981), “Extremities” (off-Broadway, 1983; motion picture, 1986), “The Burning Bed” (television, 1984), and “Small Sacrifices,” (television, 1989).
Personal Life and Tragedy
For Farrah Fawcett, fame came with personal struggles. Fawcett was unsuccessfully married to Six Million Dollar Man star, Lee Majors from 1973 to 1982. Before divorcing, she became involved with actor Ryan O'Neal in a continuing on again/off again romantic relationship. The union resulted in a son, Redmond O’Neal, who has met with addiction and numerous run-ins with the law. Fawcett saw her son though his troubles, and helped Ryan O’Neal contend with his own battles against drug use and leukemia.
In 2005 and 2006, Fawcett received a double whammy of ill-fated news. Her mother, whom she reportedly adored, passed away in 2005 and the next year, Farrah Fawcett discovered she had anal cancer. Despite a period of remission in 2007, the cancer later returned, prompting the star to seek alternative and unorthodox treatments in Germany. It was all, apparently, to no avail as by 2009 the cancer had already spread to other organs.
At the time of this writing, the cancer had affected Fawcett’s liver and the star was taking on her toughest role yet: Facing cancer head on in the fight of her life.
Update: Farrah Fawcett lost her battle with cancer on June 25, 2009.
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