Farrah Fawcett's Life in Photos
A closer look at the '70s icon and Charlie's Angels OG.
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There are few people as synonymous with the '70s as Farrah Fawcett. The Charlie's Angels actress not only became instantly recognizable after landing the iconic role, but her hairstyle was one of the most popular of the decade. And yet, few people actually know how Fawcett got her start. Here, we're taking a look back at the life of a true style legend and global star.
1968: A Young Actress
Fawcett was born in Corpus Christi, Texas in 1947. She attended the University of Texas in Austin after graduating from high school. Initially, Fawcett pursued a degree in microbiology, but diverted to acting in 1968 and that same year moved to Hollywood.
1968: Commercial Success
Fawcett had no problem landing work in California, as her all-American look made her an easy casting choice for commercials.
1969: Meeting Lee Majors
Fawcett met Lee Majors after the two were set up by their respective publicists. After hitting it off on a coffee date, the couple soon became the newest It couple in Hollywood.
1969: Her Film Debut
Fawcett landed her first film role in 1969 in the romantic drama Love is a Funny Thing. Here, she's seen filming a scene with her costar, French actor Jean-Paul Belmondo.
1970: Another Big Role
Following up her success on the big screen, Fawcett landed a role in the comedy Myra Breckinridge, starring Raquel Welch.
1971: A Turn to TV
After her initial success in film, Fawcett started picking up reoccurring roles on high profile television series—from I Dream of Jeannieto The Partridge Family. Here, she appears in the TV movie The Feminist and the Fuzz.
1973: Just Married
After five years of dating, Fawcett and Majors tied the knot in a ceremony at Hotel Bel-Air on July 28, 1973. Here, the couple show off Fawcett's new ring as Major's son from his previous marriage, Lee Majors II, looks on.
1973: Back to Her Roots
In 1973, Fawcett starred in The Great American Beauty Contest. The actress was perfectly cast for the part, as she was crowned the winner of several beauty contests before her acting days.
1974: A Couple of Costars
Throughout its successful run on TV, Fawcett regularly appeared on her husband's show, The Six Million Dollar Man. Majors played Colonel Steve Austin from 1974 to 1978.
1976: Her Breakthrough Role
In 1976, Fawcett landed a starring role in the film Logan's Run. The futuristic sci-fi movie did well with critics and audiences, and helped Fawcett catch the attention of Hollywood producer Aaron Spelling.
1976: Landing 'Charlie's Angels'
Spelling wound up casting Fawcett, alongside Kate Jackson and Jaclyn Smith, in his new television series Charlie's Angels. The show is known as the start of "jiggle TV," and featured the three actresses as female detectives. "When the show got to be No. 3, I figured it was our acting. When it got to be No. 1, I decided it could only be because none of us wears a bra," Fawcett once said.
1976: Becoming a Sensation
Charlie's Angels proved to be a hit, and quickly became the most popular show on television. The network soon started merchandising everything from lunch boxes to posters and Fawcett became one of the biggest stars in Hollywood.
1976: The Farrah
It wasn't just the show that people were crazy about—it was also her hair. The actress's feathery bangs and bouncy blonde curls were all the rage and in the mid-'70s almost everyone was asking their hairstylists to replicate "The Farrah." "Her hair helped make the show. It became one of our signatures," Spelling said.
1977: An Award-Winning Actress
After her first season on Charlie's Angels, Fawcett scooped up a People's Choice Award and was nominated for a Golden Globe.
1977: The Poster
At the peak of her Charlie's Angels fame, that poster of Fawcett posing in a red bathing suit was released. The pinup quickly sold out and adorned the walls of teenagers everywhere—becoming the best-selling poster of all time.
1977: A Savvy Business Woman
Fawcett knew how to capitalize on her newfound fame. The actress negotiated a 10% commission from the sales of her poster, which ended up selling more than 12 million copies. The actress also took a vested interest in her hair by partnering with Faberge shampoo and releasing her own collection of products in 1978.
1977: Miss All-American
While Fawcett's star power continued to rise, fans couldn't get enough of her sporty look. A lifelong athlete, Fawcett regularly played in celebrity tennis tournaments—like the Celebrity Challenge of the Sexes tournament here—and even pioneered recreational jogging.
1977: Going Her Own Way
After only just one season, Fawcett announced she was leaving Charlie's Angels. The exact reason is unknown (some say there was a salary dispute), but Fawcett was known to have disliked the lack of seriousness to her character. "With anything you do there comes a time to move on," Fawcett shared in 1977. She was replaced by Cheryl Ladd.
1977: A Jump to Film
After leaving TV, Fawcett had ambitions to make the transition to film. Her husband, Majors, supported her decision and the couple launched a production company together, Fawcett-Majors Production, in 1977.
1978: A Career Setback
But not everything went as Fawcett planned. ABC sued the actress, claiming she walked out on her contract with them. "The industry was furious with me and hostile because I was a TV sex symbol who wanted to be an actress. People thought I was really pretentious, and for months no one would touch me," Fawcett told People in 1979.
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