Farrah Leni Fawcett (born February 2, 1947) is an American actress who became a noted pop culture figure and legendary sex symbol of the 1970s who then became an iconic actress in the 80's - changing the cultural landscape of how televison actresses appeared on film.
Fawcett was born in Corpus Christi, Texas to Pauline Alice and James William Fawcett.
Farrah played the character of Jill Munroe for only one full year (1976) in the hit TV series Charlie's Angels. That same year her swimsuit poster sold a still unrivaled 12 million copies.
Fawcett achieved critical praise and her first of 3 Emmy nominations as a serious actress for her role as a battered wife in the 1984 television movie, The Burning Bed. She also won acclaim in the stage and movie version of Extremities. In this role, she played a rape victim who turns the tables on her attacker. She then played a predatory role in another mini-series for which she was again Emmy nominated - "Small Sacrifices". Ms. Fawcett has also been nominated for several Golden Globe awards as well. Her last Emmy nomination came in 2004 for her work in "The Guardian".
At the age of 48, Farrah posed in Playboy for the December 1995 issue. The issue sold over four million copies worldwide. It was the best selling issue of the 90's. She then posed for the July 1997 issue. Again it was a top seller.
Fawcett was married to Lee Majors, star of The Six Million Dollar Man, from 1973 to 1982, though the two separated in 1979; during this time, she was known as Farrah Fawcett-Majors. From 1980 to 1997, Fawcett was involved in committed relationship with her longtime boyfriend, actor Ryan O'Neal; although they are still dating on and off. The relationship produced one child, Redmond (who has had his share of drug-related problems) in 1985. In 1998, she was injured by then boyfriend James Orr when he tried to stop her from vandalizing his house. The day after he beat her, Orr was arrested and charged.
In 1997, she received some negative "reviews" after giving a less-than-coherent interview on The Late Show with David Letterman. It was speculated that her rambling, incoherent manner was the result of drug abuse. The following morning, she explained on the Howard Stern Radio show that her rambling was in fact just her way of joking around with the television host. She also insisted that what looked like random looks across the theater was just her looking and reacting to the fans in the audience and that the whole thing was blown out of proportion.
In 2006, she gained attention in the tabloid newspapers due to her haggard appearance, most likely due to excessive plastic surgery.
In August of 2006, Farrah took part in the Comedy Central Roast of William Shatner, where she had difficulty telling her jokes. She appeared frazzled at times. One presenter asked Betty White to "explain the jokes to Farrah".
