In a vibrant tapestry of glittering Hollywood history, the story of Farrah Fawcett and Lee Majors emerges as a riveting tale of love, fame, and the intricacies of life in the spotlight. A young beauty raised in the heart of Texas, Farrah exuded charm and grace that earned her the title of collegiate beauty queen during her time at the University of Texas. Little did she know that her journey to fame would begin with a simple photograph and a leap of faith into the vast world of Hollywood.
Meanwhile, Lee Majors, a native of Kentucky, weathered early adversity, losing both parents before the age of two. His dreams of a professional football career were thwarted by injuries, redirecting his path to the palm-lined streets of Los Angeles. It was there, amidst the glitz and glamor of the entertainment industry, that fate led him to a newfound passion: acting.
He moved to Los Angeles from Kentucky to work as a high school coach and in the leisure department. It was his football friends who first introduced him to acting.
Majors rose to fame as the character Heath after completing his studies and working his way up in the film industry. The character played Barbara Stanwyck’s mischievous son on ABC’s hit sitcom “The Big Valley.”
After that, the actor starred in TV programs such as “Owen Marshall” and “The Men From Shiloh”. These performances led to his casting in the 1973 film “Million Dollar Man”.
Majors acknowledged that he was happy and grateful to be given the role. He became so famous that he couldn’t enter clubs because all the guys wanted him wrestling.
FARRAH FAWCETT
Fawcett was raised a devout Catholic in Texas when her father, an oil field contractor in Corpus Christi, died. While studying at the University of Texas, she was chosen as a college beauty queen.
When a PR representative saw her photo, she was invited to Hollywood. Fawcett’s parents took him to Hollywood two years later. She began landing modeling gigs, appearing as a guest star in commercials for everything from toothpaste to shampoo.
GETTING TO KNOW LEE MAJORS
Her photo was spotted by spokesperson Lee Majors after she landed in Hollywood. As a result, the actor wrote her a message at the guest house where she was staying.
He allegedly teased Fawcett by calling her around7.30 p.m. to invite her to dinner. Majors apologized for his audacity when he called her later.
By the time he got there, Fawcett had apparently dissolved into a thousand pieces. She instantly fell in love with him. She ordered a coke and a scotch at the disco to which Majors escorted her.
She nervously excused herself to go to the lady’s room and get sick, ending the date. The actor sent her thirteen yellow roses the next day. Majors also said the following about Fawcett:
“She’s so adorable; she looks like a little kid.”
So adorable, so beautiful inside.
STARDOM AND MARRIAGE
Lee Majors married in Kentucky when he was seventeen. He had a son named Lee Jr. with the lady he married; however, they were divorced when he met Fawcett, and they married in 1973.
After his marriage, Majors portrayed a bionic robot in “The Six Million Dollar Man.” He had Fawcett as his greatest ally.
She has also worked as a model for companies including Wella Balsam, Noxzema, and Ultra Brite. One of the requirements of their marriage was that Fawcett cook for him when he returned from his scheduled work commitments.
The couple lived in Bel Air, just up the hill from Wilt Chamberlain, in a beautifully decorated French house. She also lovingly called her husband a giant “grumpy head”.
Due to his concerns about the people Fawcett would have to work with, Lee Majors had doubts about her decision to enter the television industry. Fawcett said she felt the same way about him.
Fawcett became famous in 1976 after casting directors chose her for the movie “Charlie’s Angels”. The movie poster, which featured Fawcett in a red one-piece bikini, sold twelve million copies.
She became an extreme celebrity and S*x icon that both men and women looked up to after “Charlie’s Angels” ended. Her hairstyle from the poster became popular as the “Farrah Do” and was imitated around the world.
With Fawcett and two other women playing undercover crime-fighting agents, the film became a worldwide hit. She soon found it difficult to avoid the paparazzi whenever she and her husband, Majors, went out.
DIVORCE
At the start of her nationwide tour to promote her soon-to-be-released film “Sunburn,” Fawcett said she was divorcing Majors.
After 11 years of marriage, the actress, who was 32 at the time, said she was leaving the Bel Air estate she shared with her husband. She made it clear that Majors expected his bride to take care of the house, cook for him, and rely on him when they married.
She went on to say that while she missed his cooking and cleaning, she couldn’t rely on him anymore. The actress expressed her sympathy and said she thinks he is trying to be protective and understanding.
Fawcett’s unexpected celebrity and professional demands were said to have caused rifts in their marriage. At the height of their careers, both left television to pursue film.
The films following Majors’ “The Six Million Dollar Man” did not do well financially, and Fawcett left the television series “Charlie’s Angels” shortly after its premiere.
Fans were angry with her after she left “Charlie’s Angels” and accused her of infidelity. Because the film industry saw her as a S*x symbol who aspires to be an actress, they stopped offering her opportunities.
She explained that even though others tried to make her feel bad about it, she wouldn’t give up. She became less dependent on her husband and mentors as a result of her desire to rely more on herself.
Majors thought she no longer needed him, but the actress acknowledged that this was not the case; she wanted their relationship to be different. They divorced in 1982 after separating in 1979.
HER DEATH
After her breakup with Lee Majors, Fawcett became involved with actor Ryan O’Neal, who was a cast member of the 1970 film “Love Story.”
Redmond, the couple’s son, was born during their 20-year marriage. Hollywood considers their enduring love to be fantastic, even though they never married.
They broke up in 1997 after 17 years but got back together four years later when O’Neal was diagnosed with cancer. Fawcett stayed by his side as he recovered, but was diagnosed with cancer in 2006.
The year Fawcett was diagnosed with rectal cancer, she also tragically lost her mother.
At the time, only five Americans were affected by the disease annually due to its extreme rarity.
She began therapy at The Angeles Clinic and Research Institute under Dr. Lawrence Pir. Her cancer was not curable, but it was manageable.
After she moved to live with Fawcett, O’Neal accompanied her to Germany for intensive cancer treatment. Sadly, she died at the age of 62 in Santa Monica, California at St. John’s Hospital.
SPEAKING FROM THE MAJORS ABOUT FAUCET
Majors released a statement shortly after news of Fawcett’s passing broke, expressing his and his wife Faith’s sadness at learning of her loss.
He told how she fought the terrible disease to the fullest and declared herself an earthly angel. The majors also discussed their wedding with People magazine. He clarified that he chose her image that went viral as the “Charlie’s Angels” poster.
In addition, the actor displayed a photo from the cover of People magazine from 1977. In the picture, he and Fawcett sprinted towards the photographer.
Majors clarified that he spoke to Fawcett just before she left.
He clarified that the reason their marriage was difficult was because they both worked around the clock at their businesses.
He stated that he only saw her for two weeks in a particular year. However, Majors said he was also pleased to have been married to his current wife for nearly 20 years.
As an 84-year-old who still enjoyed working, the actor at the time voiced Jeff Tracy in “Thunderbirds Are Go.”
The lives of Farrah Fawcett and Lee Majors, two Hollywood icons, were interwoven with a story of love, fame, and challenges. Farrah’s journey from a devout Catholic upbringing in Texas to becoming an acclaimed beauty queen at the University of Texas led her to the world of Hollywood, where her exceptional looks and talent led to a renowned modeling and acting career.
Lee Majors, on the other hand, made his way from a tragic childhood marked by the loss of his parents to a prominent figure in the entertainment industry. His athletic ability got him through college, but injuries derailed his football dreams and eventually steered him toward acting and eventual stardom through memorable roles such as Heath Barkley in “The Big Valley” and the iconic “Six Million Dollar Man.”
Their fateful meeting sparked a whirlwind romance that culminated in their marriage in 1973. Despite their initial bliss, however, the strain of their careers, differing ambitions, and different needs led to cracks in their relationship.
The spotlight shone on their successes and struggles. Farrah’s skyrocketing fame from “Charlie’s Angels” brought immense public attention while Lee Majors continued his acting career. However, the demands of their careers and personal aspirations slowly eroded their union.
Their marriage dissolved in 1982, a separation marked by personal growth and individual paths. Farrah’s subsequent relationship with Ryan O’Neal carried its own complexities, enduring through ups and downs until her death in 2009 after a courageous battle with cancer.
Following Farrah’s departure, Lee Majors reflected on their tumultuous marriage and acknowledged the challenges of maintaining a relationship amid their demanding careers. He mourned her loss, recognized her tenacity, and called her an earthly angel. The Majors shared an insight into their life together and revealed the difficulties of balancing work commitments and marriage.
As their individual journeys continued, both Majors and Fawcett remained staples in Hollywood and left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry. While their love story had its share of trials and tribulations, the legacy of their careers and the lasting memories of their time together remain a poignant chapter in Hollywood history.