Farrah Fawcett facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Farrah Fawcett
Fawcett in 1977
Born	Ferrah Leni Fawcett (1947-02-02)February 2, 1947 Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S.
Died	June 25, 2009(2009-06-25) (aged 62) Santa Monica, California, U.S.
Resting place	Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery
Other names	Farrah Fawcett-Majors
Alma mater	University of Texas (1965–1968)
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1969–2009
Known for	Charlie's Angels The Burning Bed Small Sacrifices
Spouse(s)	Lee Majors ​ ​ (m. 1973; div. 1982)​
Partner(s)	Ryan O'Neal (1979–1997; 2001–2009)
Children	1

Farrah Leni Fawcett (born Ferrah Leni Fawcett; February 2, 1947 – June 25, 2009) was a famous American actress. She became known around the world for her role in the TV show Charlie's Angels. Farrah was nominated for many awards during her career. These included four Primetime Emmy Awards and six Golden Globe Awards.

Farrah started her acting career in the 1960s. She appeared in commercials and small TV roles. In the 1970s, she was in many TV series. This included Harry O and The Six Million Dollar Man. Her famous red swimsuit poster sold millions of copies. Her biggest role was Jill Munroe in Charlie's Angels. This show made her, Kate Jackson, and Jaclyn Smith huge stars. Farrah left Charlie's Angels after the first season. But she later returned as a guest star.

In 1983, Farrah earned praise for her acting in the play Extremities. She also starred in the 1986 movie version. She was nominated for an Emmy Award for her role in The Burning Bed (1984). She also received an Emmy nomination for playing a real-life person in Small Sacrifices (1989). In the 2000s, she continued acting on TV. She had roles in Spin City and The Guardian. Farrah Fawcett passed away from cancer in 2009 at age 62.

Farrah Fawcett's Early Life and Education

Farrah Fawcett was born on February 2, 1947. Her birthplace was Corpus Christi, Texas. She was the younger of two daughters. Her mother, Pauline, was a homemaker. Her father, James, worked in oil fields. Farrah's older sister, Diane, was a graphic artist. Farrah had a mix of Irish, French, English, and Choctaw Native American family roots. Her mother created the name "Farrah" because it sounded nice with their last name.

Farrah was raised as a Roman Catholic. She went to St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church school. She graduated from W. B. Ray High School. Her classmates voted her "most beautiful" every year. From 1965 to 1968, she attended the University of Texas. She first studied microbiology before changing to art. She was part of the Delta Delta Delta sorority.

In her first year of college, she was named one of the "ten most beautiful coeds." This was the first time a freshman received this honor. Her photos were sent to Hollywood agencies. A Hollywood agent, David Mirisch, asked her to come to Los Angeles. She said no at first. But he kept asking for two years. In the summer of 1968, Farrah moved to Los Angeles. She stayed at the Hollywood Studio Club. Her parents gave her permission to try acting.

Farrah's Journey to Stardom

Starting Her Acting Career

Fawcett (left) with Cher on The Sonny & Cher Show in 1976

Farrah arrived in Hollywood in 1968 at age 21. She signed a contract with Screen Gems. She started appearing in many commercials. These included ads for Ultra Brite toothpaste and Max Factor cosmetics. Her first acting roles were on TV shows. She appeared in The Flying Nun and I Dream of Jeannie. She also had roles in The Partridge Family and Harry O. She was in four episodes of The Six Million Dollar Man. Her husband, Lee Majors, starred in that show.

The Iconic Red Swimsuit Poster

In 1976, a company called Pro Arts Inc. wanted to make a poster of Farrah. Photographer Bruce McBroom took her pictures. Farrah did her own hair and makeup. She chose her favorite photos from many rolls of film. The picture of her in a red swimsuit became famous. It is the best-selling poster in history.

Becoming a Charlie's Angel

Cast of the television program Charlie's Angels. From left: Jaclyn Smith, Farrah Fawcett, and Kate Jackson in 1976

Farrah also had a role in the science-fiction film Logan's Run (1976). She and her husband, Lee Majors, played tennis with producer Aaron Spelling. Spelling chose Farrah for his new TV movie, Charlie's Angels. The movie aired on March 21, 1976, on ABC. Farrah, Kate Jackson, and Jaclyn Smith played private investigators. They worked for a boss named Charles Townsend. He gave them cases over a speakerphone. He called them his "Angels."

The Charlie's Angels TV series started on September 22, 1976. All three actresses became very famous. Farrah was the most popular. She won a People's Choice Award. Her hairstyle, called the "Farrah-flip," became a huge trend. Women everywhere wanted "Farrah hair." Farrah earned a lot of money from her poster sales. This was more than her salary from the show.

In 1977, Farrah decided to leave Charlie's Angels. There were legal talks about her contract. Cheryl Ladd replaced her on the show. Farrah later returned for six guest appearances. She appeared in the third and fourth seasons (1978–1980). Charlie's Angels was a huge success worldwide. It led to many products like trading cards and dolls. The "Angels" also appeared on many magazine covers.

Farrah's Later Career and Achievements

Movies After Charlie's Angels

In 1978, Farrah's first movie after Charlie's Angels was Somebody Killed Her Husband. It did not do well. Her 1979 film Sunburn also got bad reviews. In 1980, she starred in the science-fiction film Saturn 3. This movie also received poor reviews. The next year, she was in the comedy The Cannonball Run (1981). She also starred in the TV movie Murder in Texas.

In 1983, Farrah received praise for her role in the play Extremities. She called it the most challenging role of her career. The play was very intense and demanding.

Award-Winning TV Roles

The next year, Farrah starred in the TV movie The Burning Bed (1984). She played a wife who had been abused. This role earned her her first Emmy Award nomination. The movie was very popular. It was the first TV movie to offer a special phone number for victims of abuse.

In 1986, Farrah appeared in the movie version of Extremities. She received a Golden Globe Award nomination for her performance. She also took on other dramatic roles. She played famous women like Beate Klarsfeld and Barbara Hutton. She won a CableACE Award for playing photojournalist Margaret Bourke-White.

Her role as Diane Downs in the miniseries Small Sacrifices (1989) earned her another Emmy nomination. She also received her sixth Golden Globe nomination. The miniseries won a Peabody Award. Farrah's acting was praised for its realism.

Later Film and TV Work

In 1997, Robert Duvall chose Farrah for his film The Apostle. She received an Independent Spirit Award nomination for her role. In 2000, she worked with director Robert Altman in Dr. T & the Women.

Farrah also showed her talent in art. She created abstract paintings and sculptures. In 2002, her art was shown at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. It was also displayed at The Andy Warhol Museum.

She continued to work in television. She appeared in TV movies and popular series. These included Ally McBeal and Spin City. Her work on The Guardian earned her a third Emmy nomination in 2004.

Farrah Fawcett's Personal Life

Relationships and Family

Farrah started dating Lee Majors in the late 1960s. They were married from 1973 to 1982. They separated in 1979. They did not have any children. Farrah used the name Farrah Fawcett-Majors in her early screen credits.

In 1979, Farrah began a relationship with actor Ryan O'Neal. They had a son named Redmond James Fawcett O'Neal. Redmond was born in 1985. Farrah and Ryan ended their relationship in 1997. But they got back together in 2001. Ryan O'Neal said that Farrah had agreed to marry him. This was to happen when she felt strong enough.

Farrah's older sister, Diane, passed away in 2001. Her mother, Pauline, died in 2005. Farrah's only child, Redmond, was born on January 30, 1985.

Battle with Cancer

Fawcett with Craig J. Nevius, the director of Chasing Farrah and Farrah's Story, in 2008

Farrah was diagnosed with cancer in 2006. She began treatments like chemotherapy and surgery. In February 2007, on her 60th birthday, it was reported she was cancer-free. But in May 2007, the cancer returned. It had spread to her liver.

On May 7, 2009, news reported Farrah was very ill. Her father flew to Los Angeles to visit her. A two-hour documentary called Farrah's Story aired on NBC on May 15, 2009. Farrah and her friend Alana Stewart filmed it. The documentary showed her fight with the disease. Nearly nine million people watched it. Farrah earned a fourth Emmy nomination for producing Farrah's Story. This nomination came after she passed away.

Farrah Fawcett's Passing

Fawcett's grave

Farrah Fawcett died from cancer on June 25, 2009. She was 62 years old. She passed away in Santa Monica, California. Ryan O'Neal and Alana Stewart were with her.

A private funeral was held in Los Angeles. Farrah's son, Redmond, was allowed to attend. Farrah was buried at the Westwood Village Memorial Park in Los Angeles.

Farrah did not leave money to Ryan O'Neal in her will. She left most of her money to her son Redmond. She also left money to her nephew and her father. Farrah left all her artwork to the University of Texas.

Farrah Fawcett's Cultural Impact

Fawcett's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Farrah's famous red one-piece bathing suit was given to the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. This happened on February 2, 2011. It was designed by Norma Kamali. Ryan O'Neal presented it to the museum. A limited edition Barbie doll was also made in her famous red swimsuit look.

In 2011, Men's Health magazine listed Farrah. She was ranked No. 31 on their "100 Hottest Women of All-Time" list.

The song "Midnight Train to Georgia" was inspired by Farrah and Lee Majors. Songwriter Jim Weatherly called Lee Majors. Farrah answered the phone. She told him she was going to visit her mother. She said she was taking "the midnight plane to Houston." Weatherly used them as characters in his song. The song was about a failed actor. He leaves Los Angeles and his girlfriend follows him. The song became a number 1 hit for Gladys Knight & the Pips in 1973.

In 1980, Farrah met artist Andy Warhol. He created two portraits of her. Farrah later loaned these portraits to The Andy Warhol Museum.

Farrah Fawcett's Filmography

Movies

Television Shows

Plays

Images for kids

• Farrah Fawcett red swimsuit poster.jpg

  Farrah Fawcett's iconic red swimsuit poster.

See also

In Spanish: Farrah Fawcett para niños