RIP: Farrah Fawcett (1947-2009)

TV Angel & pin-up girl taken too soon

BY EMIL TIEDEMANN

One of the most iconic sex symbols of the last 35 years, Farrah Fawcett, lost her battle with cancer yesterday morning (Thursday, June 25) at Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, California, after being diagnosed with anal cancer three years earlier. Fawcett, who was 62-years-old at the time of her death, passed away on the same day Hollywood lost another legend, Michael Jackson.

Fawcett began chemotherapy soon after her diagnosis in 2006, and surgeries followed as well, until she was declared cancer free on her 60th birthday, just four months later. But, in May 2007 a doctor discovered a malignant polyp in the same area that the initial cancer had been found. She receieved various treatments in Germany and back home in L.A., but the cancer refused to retreat for good.

In April 2009 Fawcett was rushed to hospital in critical condition, as her cancer metastasized to her liver, which had the TV and film legend in and out of hospitals in L.A. and Germany. On May 15th NBC aired Farrah's Story, a 2-hour documentary that spotlighted the deteriorating actress in her final days. Earlier this month her off-and-on partner for the last 27 years, Ryan O'Neal (Love Story), asked Farrah for her hand in marriage. She said yes, but they were unable to make it to the alter.

Farrah Fawcett got her start in film by appearing in a small role in 1969's Love Is a Funny Thing, but not before she landed bit parts in TV commercials for Mercury Cougar, Ultra Brite, Noxema and Wella Balsam. She continued with an appearance in 1970's Myra Breckinridge, before she got the big break she needed.

In 1976 Fawcett became an overnight sensation with her cult-status role as private investigator Jill Munroe in the major hit ABC-TV series Charlie's Angels, alongside co-stars Kate Jackson and Jaclyn Smith. Fawcett was the stand-out star of the break-out show, winning a People's Choice Award as Favorite Performer in a New TV Program.

That same year Pro Arts Inc. approached the blonde bombshell and pitched an idea to have Fawcett pose in a one-piece red bathing suit for a pin-up poster (pictured left). The result was beyond anyone's expectations, as upwards of 12 million copies of the infamous poster were sold, making Fawcett one of the decade's most recognizable faces.

In addition to the series and the poster, Fawcett's signature hair style was getting unprecedented attention as well, becoming known as the "Farrah Do" or "Farrah Hair." Even to this day, the style is credited to the late actress.

In 1977, after just one season, Fawcett famously left Charlie's Angels, though much legal scrutiny ensued over contract obligations. In the end Fawcett was replaced by Cheryl Ladd, but continued making guest appearances on the show that made her an instant star. As a cast member she also landed on the cover of Time magazine.

After leaving Angels Fawcett starred in the controversial off-Broadway stage production Extremities (1983). She followed that up with a lead role in 1984's most-watched TV movie, The Burning Bed, for which she was nominated for Emmy and Golden Globe Awards for her portrayal of an abused housewife. It also helped shed her Angels image as an "all-American" pretty girl. Two years later, in 1986, she earned another Globe nod for her role in the film version of Extremities. Over the years Fawcett has also appeared in movies like The Cannonball Run (1981), Poor Little Rich Girl: The Barbara Hutton Story (1987), Small Sacrifices (1989), Man of the House (1995), The Apostle (1997), Dr. T & the Women (2000) and her final film, The Cookout (2004). She's also made countless appearances in numerous other TV shows.

Fawcett, who was married to fellow '70s TV star Lee Majors (The Six Million Dollar Man) from 1973 to 1982, had been romantically linked to O'Neal (pictured right) since 1982, and the couple welcomed son Redmond in 1985.

The TV icon has also had her share of controversy throughout the years, including physical abuse allegations within her kinship with O'Neal, posing nude for Playboy magazine in December 1995, and an infamous appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman in 1997, in which she appeared erratic and confused. Her son Redmond has also had his quarrels, and was in fact incarcenated at the time of his mother's death. According to reports, though, Redmond was able to speak with Farrah over the phone before she passed.

Rest in peace.