Farrah Fawcett an Angel forever

The sudden and shocking death of Michael Jackson overshadowed the passing of this amazing woman. And I would be amiss to not pay tribute to her life, and achievements.

Mary Farrah Leni Fawcett was born in Texas in 1947, and in 1960 voted the “most beautiful woman” at her high school in Corpus Christi. That comes as no surprise considering her later status as a sex symbol and pin up girl. But there was more to Farrah than a pretty face and bikini bod.

Her acting career started off with small guest roles in TV programs like “I dream of Jeannie” and “The Partridge Family”. In 1968 she started dating Lee Majors and they got married in 1973. Shortly after their marriage “The Six Million Dollar Man” series began airing, and she guest-starred in 4 episodes of that with her husband. This series was so popular at the time it helped to propel her popularity and gain respect for her own acting ability.

It was also around this time that she posed for the infamous poster wearing a red bathing suit. More than 8 million posters were sold and stirred the hormones of many teenagers (I was one of them) and men the world over. It was the release of this poster that caught the eye of Aaron Spelling and Leonard Goldberg. And Jill Monroe, the gorgeous blond in Charlies Angels came to be. Her reported paycheck was $10,000 an episode but only stuck with the show for a year until the first season was completed, only to appear in a few guest spots over the next couple of years.

After her divorce from Lee Majors in 1979 she started dating Ryan O’Neil, and that relationship lasted 17 years or so. Ryan said he was devastated at her funeral and it was obvious there is still a lot of love there.

Farrah starred in numerous movies over the years with people like Burt Reynolds in the “Cannon Ball Run” and “Saturn 3″, which she did a topless scene in. But it was the movie “The Burning Bed” in 1984 that turned out to be her crowning achievement and earned her nominations for an Emmy, and a Golden Globe award.

In 2006 following the death of her mother Farrah was diagnosed with anal cancer and that same year Ryan O’Neil was diagnosed with Leukemia. Ryan’s disease was treatable but even though Farrah did experience a brief time in recession, she succumbed to the disease in 2009.

There are many aspects of Farrah Fawcett’s life that I have omitted, in death it doesn’t matter that there were rumors of drugs, plastic surgery, or legal and financial issues. She was an iconic performer and a stout supporter of Woman’s groups and Humanitarian efforts. Farrah was the last of the infamous pin up girls, and she helped change the way women were viewed and treated in show business.

She will be remembered  for her accomplishments, and loved for who she was.