3 Years Ago Today: Farrah Fawcett's Death Overshadowed By Michael Jackson - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 06-25-2012, 11:08 AM

Though Farrah Fawcett had a rich, 40-year acting career, with dozens of TV and movie roles and ten award nominations, she's remembered best for a single season on an iconic show… and for a best-selling poster.

Fawcett began her acting career in the late 1960s and had several small but prominent roles in the early '70s. But it was in 1976 that Farrah Fawcett’s career took off, with a show that seems to encapsulate late '70s style: Aaron Spelling's wildly popular crime-fighting drama Charlie's Angels. Fawcett starred in the movie special that kicked off the show, and she stayed with the series for its first season as well as the show rocketed to number one – and its blonde bombshell rocketed to superstardom. But then, she quit the show. Cheryl Ladd was brought on to replace Fawcett, and the popular show carried on for four more seasons. Still, when we remember Charlie's Angels today, Fawcett's presence is a huge, crucial part of it.

Reports on why Fawcett left the show varied – some thought the tight production schedule was straining her marriage to Lee Majors; others cited her desire to broaden her career with movies and more serious roles. Whatever her reasons, serious roles did follow – including a star turn in the groundbreaking TV movie, The Burning Bed.

Fawcett's harrowing performance earned her Golden Globe and Emmy nominations, and the movie helped bring awareness to domestic violence. It was also the first TV movie to conclude with a toll-free helpline number for viewers to call if they wanted to learn more or needed to get help, now a common practice with TV movies and "issue of the week" series episodes.

Fawcett continued to act on big screen and small, until her 2006 cancer diagnosis derailed her career. She died of cancer on July 25, 2009… but not before taking the story of her illness public. The documentary Farrah's Story was an unflinching look at her fight against cancer, showing her determination through triumphs and setbacks. For those of us who loved Fawcett for her acting talent, sunny smile, and golden hair, the story of her struggle gave us one more thing to love – her strength.

http://www.legacy.com/ns/news-story....t-angel&id=950

duckie · 06-25-2012, 11:31 AM

I'll never forget that date for the rest of my life. BTW that date in the article should be June not July.

Schmoopie · 06-25-2012, 08:27 PM

Yeah I remember that very well. Such a sad thing to lose such a talented and beautiful actress.

Mr. Television · 06-25-2012, 08:32 PM

R.I.P. Farrah. Your fans will never forget you.

isiahthomas · 03-20-2015, 04:21 PM

How old was Farrah when she died? She was hot when she was young. Yeah I remember Michael Jackson died the same day she did and his death got more coverage than her's because he was a bigger star. I'll never forget when I heard Michael died and I was riding home from work and I turned on the radio. I usually don't play the radio because they play a lot of wack music but when I heard he died, I couldn't believe it and I was shocked. He was my childhood idol and I loved him. I still can't believe he's gone. How come Farrah left Charlie's Angels?

DJM77 · 03-20-2015, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by isiahthomas

How old was Farrah when she died? She was hot when she was young. Yeah I remember Michael Jackson died the same day she did and his death got more coverage than her's because he was a bigger star. I'll never forget when I heard Michael died and I was riding home from work and I turned on the radio. I usually don't play the radio because they play a lot of wack music but when I heard he died, I couldn't believe it and I was shocked. He was my childhood idol and I loved him. I still can't believe he's gone. How come Farrah left Charlie's Angels?

She was 62. Someone please correct me if I'm remembering this wrong, but I think Lee Majors had a lot to do with her leaving Charlie's Angels. I think I heard somewhere that he was upset about her being gone from home so much.

Mood Ring · 03-20-2015, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJM77

She was 62. Someone please correct me if I'm remembering this wrong, but I think Lee Majors had a lot to do with her leaving Charlie's Angels. I think I heard somewhere that he was upset about her being gone from home so much.

Lee, Farrah and Jay Bernstein (their manager) all had their own reasons why she should leave CA. Lee wanted her home to make him dinner when he got home from filming SMDM and thought he already made enough money (50K per week) for both of them. Jay Bernstein was certain she could make a LOT more money if she left CA. Lastly, Farrah was getting tired of the daily 12-15 hour/6 days per week shooting schedule. She also wanted to improve her acting abilities above and beyond CA.

Even though I preferred Kate/Sabrina, I had Farrah's poster on my bedroom wall in '76, '77 and '78.

isiahthomas · 03-21-2015, 03:04 PM

Thanks for the information. I forgot she dated Lee Majors. They never got married? Is Lee still living? If he is, how old is he?

DJM77 · 03-21-2015, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by isiahthomas

Thanks for the information. I forgot she dated Lee Majors. They never got married? Is Lee still living? If he is, how old is he?

They did get married. Lee is 75.

Schmoopie · 03-21-2015, 05:44 PM

I think Michael Jackson overshadowed everyone to be honest.

Coffeecup · 05-07-2015, 06:44 PM

I remember hearing/reading that Lee and Farrah made $55,000 together and Lee made $50,000 of the total. Being in show business must be tough. Late long hours. Managers pushed you to do better/money wise and it can take a toll.

Rookielove · 06-02-2015, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmoopie

I think Michael Jackson overshadowed everyone to be honest.

Probably because he's the biggest star and the most well known. It's similar to how Farrah Fawcett overshadows the other angels. She's the biggest star and the most well known.

06-25-2012, 11:08 AM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	3 Years Ago Today: Farrah Fawcett's Death Overshadowed By Michael Jackson Though Farrah Fawcett had a rich, 40-year acting career, with dozens of TV and movie roles and ten award nominations, she's remembered best for a single season on an iconic show… and for a best-selling poster. Fawcett began her acting career in the late 1960s and had several small but prominent roles in the early '70s. But it was in 1976 that Farrah Fawcett’s career took off, with a show that seems to encapsulate late '70s style: Aaron Spelling's wildly popular crime-fighting drama Charlie's Angels. Fawcett starred in the movie special that kicked off the show, and she stayed with the series for its first season as well as the show rocketed to number one – and its blonde bombshell rocketed to superstardom. But then, she quit the show. Cheryl Ladd was brought on to replace Fawcett, and the popular show carried on for four more seasons. Still, when we remember Charlie's Angels today, Fawcett's presence is a huge, crucial part of it. Reports on why Fawcett left the show varied – some thought the tight production schedule was straining her marriage to Lee Majors; others cited her desire to broaden her career with movies and more serious roles. Whatever her reasons, serious roles did follow – including a star turn in the groundbreaking TV movie, The Burning Bed. Fawcett's harrowing performance earned her Golden Globe and Emmy nominations, and the movie helped bring awareness to domestic violence. It was also the first TV movie to conclude with a toll-free helpline number for viewers to call if they wanted to learn more or needed to get help, now a common practice with TV movies and "issue of the week" series episodes. Fawcett continued to act on big screen and small, until her 2006 cancer diagnosis derailed her career. She died of cancer on July 25, 2009… but not before taking the story of her illness public. The documentary Farrah's Story was an unflinching look at her fight against cancer, showing her determination through triumphs and setbacks. For those of us who loved Fawcett for her acting talent, sunny smile, and golden hair, the story of her struggle gave us one more thing to love – her strength. http://www.legacy.com/ns/news-story....t-angel&id=950
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

06-25-2012, 11:31 AM	#2
duckie Member Senior Member Join Date: Dec 13, 2011 Location: south Posts: 1,784	I'll never forget that date for the rest of my life. BTW that date in the article should be June not July.
	__________________ SparkyBoy!!!

06-25-2012, 08:27 PM	#3
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	Yeah I remember that very well. Such a sad thing to lose such a talented and beautiful actress.
	__________________ In memory of my wonderful husband. I love and miss you more than words can say, but I will always and forever keep you in my heart. September 23, 1961-January 14, 2019

06-25-2012, 08:32 PM	#4
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,133	R.I.P. Farrah. Your fans will never forget you.
	__________________ Sonny

03-20-2015, 04:21 PM	#5
isiahthomas Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Aug 20, 2002 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 10,704	How old was Farrah when she died? She was hot when she was young. Yeah I remember Michael Jackson died the same day she did and his death got more coverage than her's because he was a bigger star. I'll never forget when I heard Michael died and I was riding home from work and I turned on the radio. I usually don't play the radio because they play a lot of wack music but when I heard he died, I couldn't believe it and I was shocked. He was my childhood idol and I loved him. I still can't believe he's gone. How come Farrah left Charlie's Angels?

03-21-2015, 03:04 PM	#8
isiahthomas Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Aug 20, 2002 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 10,704	Thanks for the information. I forgot she dated Lee Majors. They never got married? Is Lee still living? If he is, how old is he?

03-21-2015, 05:44 PM	#10
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	I think Michael Jackson overshadowed everyone to be honest.

05-07-2015, 06:44 PM	#11
Coffeecup coffeecup. Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 17, 2003 Location: snoozeville Posts: 3,183	I remember hearing/reading that Lee and Farrah made $55,000 together and Lee made $50,000 of the total. Being in show business must be tough. Late long hours. Managers pushed you to do better/money wise and it can take a toll.