The Death of an Icon: Farah Fawcett

Farrah Fawcett passed away on Today, Thursday, June 25,2009 at St. John’s Hospital.Although her battle with colon cancer has been noted throughout the last few years, this day seems premature.

Farrah was born right here in Texas, although a not in the same city as me, she was born in Corpus Chrisit in 1947. Although you would never know by looking at her, Farrah was 62. (And I will add, posed in Playboy when she was 48!) Farrah’s career began in the sixties when she played along side veteran actress, Sally Field in The Flying Nun, and in other popular shows like the Partridge Family and I Dream of Jeanie. During this time Fawcett met and married “The Million Dollar Man” Lee Majors. Then she posed in her most infamous red bathing suit which shot her stardom into boys rooms everywhere across majors. The poster not only got every man’s attention but also hit producer Aaron Spelling who put her in her landmark role in Charlie’s Angels. The show was hit about three beautiful butt kicking private detectives. Farrah however, was not satisfied and wanted a bigger paycheck to accompany the success of the show. Displeased with her salary along with pressure from her husband;Fawcett abruptly left the show-breaking her contract. After a lawsuit, Fawcett agreed to return and finish out her time. Her time on the show was not the only thing ending-her and her husband ended up getting a divorce. However, one of her husband’s friends Ryan O’neil, famous for his leading role in A Love Story, met and dated.  Contrary to many beliefs, Fawcett and O’neil were never married but they did have a son together, Redmond O’neil. Family life was not always easy. O’neils daughter Tatum O’neil never approved of the relationship between her father and Fawcett. Her own son has battled drug addiction for many years and remains in jail after a drug related arrest. The Los Angelas County Sheriff’s office reports that Redmond did not get to see Fawcett before her death. 

  Although, her cut from Charlie’s Angels left Fawcett as an uncredible actress for many years, she resumed her acting career and was nominated for an Emmy for her exquisite acting in The Burning Bed amongst other nominations and wins. She was also entered into the Texas Hall of Fame.

Fawcett was diagnosed with cancer in 2006, just three years before her death. 2006 was a difficult year for Fawcett not only because of her diagnosis but also because her mother died. Farah made a statement in 2007 after many treatments that she was “cancer free” but shortly after continued treatment. She was just only days ago engaged to long time off again on again love, Ryan O’neil. Their marriage never took place though, because, as I mentioned just days after her engagement, Fawcett died. Fawcett will always be remembered for her sex symbol status, hair trend setting, and phenomenal acting.

February 2,1947-June 25,2009