Farrah Fawcett, 1970s icon, dead at 62

Actress and 1970s icon Farrah Fawcett died this morning at about 9:30 a.m., finally succumbing to the rare cancer she was diagnosed with in 1996.  She was 62.

Fawcett, who rose to fame with her portrayal of Jill Munroe in "Charlie's Angels," became an icon (and a generation's favorite pinup girl) in the 1970s. Her hair, her relationships -- and yes, also her acting ability -- were the subject of scrutiny. 

"In an odd way, even with all that Lycra and bralessness, ["Charlie's Angels"] was a feminist statement," Robert Thompson, a professor of television and popular culture at Syracuse University, told The Times. "This was an hour-long drama with women as action heroes. They were working in areas of power that generally we didn't see women in much."

After leaving the show that made her famous, Fawcett sought to showcase her acting skills with roles in the TV movie "The Burning Bed," the off-Broadway play "Extremities" (which was later made into a film) and the independent film "The Apostle." 

Fawcett's battle with cancer was very public; she fought for patient privacy even as she was fighting for her life. Just last month a video diary chronicling her fight, "Farrah's Story," aired on NBC.

Share your memories of Farrah Fawcett here.

RELATED:
Farrah Fawcett: a legacy bigger than her hair
Farrah Fawcett's life in photos

Photo: Fawcett in a 1975 publicity portrait.  Credit: Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Comments

[Tina Thompson]

Farrah Fawcett always seem so happy, despite, even to her resting in peace with our Almighty Spirit; She showed everyone how to smile, how to be happy, despite; the beautiful smile, the beautiful spirit of Farrah will certainly continue, she is a real beauty, at heart, that is a beautiful legacy that lasts forever, enjoy, all, Tina of South Florida

[Howard]

It really breaks my heart. I grew up with her in my teens and early twenties. She was gorgeous and a great person. You can forget the last ten years because her life was difficult even before that, and she finally got sick. Being a huge star and a really beautiful human being is very hard in our world. Let's not judge her on a few questionable events like David Letterman's interview in the late 90's, or some personal and professional choices. She wasn't the absolute best actress, but she really stood for something genuine and it showed. It's not really what you'd expect looking at her hugely successful pinup shot that sold millions of copies. She was absolutely a stand out in my opinion when you think of female celebrities from the 70's all the way into the 90's.

My heart goes out to Ryan O'neal, and everyone else that loved her including her remaining family, friends, and fans.

I feel really sad about losing her. She is an icon.

Thanks,
Howard
Atlantic City, NJ

[Joe]

My condolences to Farah's family.She was a classy lady.She will be missed.

[Veronica]

Farrah was not only good in Charlie's Angels, she was a good actress in all her movies. I always enjoyed watching her movies, expecially the one that she played an abused wife. She will be missed. May she rest in peace and may God Bless her and her family.

[Gina Politte]

My name is Gina, I lived nextdoor to Farrah's grandmother. I remember she wanterd to be a actress, I remember her leaving for California ,when she come home, i expected, a flamboyant perrson, however she keep the quilities of her upbringnging. I lived on Savage Lane , In Corpus Christi, Texas. Her youngeg sister C XXXXXX was atGrandmes often.
she had beautiful Blond hair down the leangth of her bach, and Grandma P xxxxxxxxx, was the grandma every child wanted. I have followed Farrah's Carrer and will miss har guine personality.
sometimes the world need's angles before we are ready to the them go.

Gina Politte

[Jeff Lipary]

In the late 70's, while living in Las Vegas, I was invited to a party for an "Angels" episode and a "Vegas" episode- which was a sort of wrap party. To get an idea how popular Farrah was, I was sitting with Cheryl Ladd and J Smith and feeling bad because I didn't get to meet Farrah, whom had left the series the year before. And I was only 25 at the time. Dean Martin starred in the Angels episode and I can't tell ya if he was even there! Boy, she will be remembered every time someone tells their kids or grandkids about how" hot the girls were when I was your age"

[Andrée Parent]

My name is Andrea Parent and I'm from Montreal, Quebec, Canada. I'm very in choc to learn that Farrah dies today. I was preparing things for her of when I was young (14) at the time of the "Charlie's angels" because she always have be one of my favorites stars and mean a lot to me has a young girl at this time. I wrote my poems in a book with Farrah in the cover. She had a very big influence in my life at this time and I say "thinks you Farrah" for that. I wanted to send her pictures, etc but now it's to late. But I will keep then very preciously.

I want to say to her family that she still with us. Now she is our angel, for real. I hope that the time will better for all the family.

My best regards,

Andrea Parent,
Montreal, Québec, Canada, H2K 3L1

[Sharon Steele]

I have watched Farrah's story since she got the horrible news of the cancer. I watched and admired Charlies Angels and yes I was one of those getting the same haircut and curls. I was just lucky my hair would do the same. Through her years in the movies, TV shows etc, it always gave me a tickel inside to see her, she was so beautiful on the outside and in her own way she showed how beautiful she was on the inside. Farrah fought with everything she had and then more. She will be missed and now heaven has one of their angels back.

[D.]

I met her once, shopping in Beverly Hills. It must have been 1978 or 79. About 12 years later I met her again at Bel Air Bay Club, this time with Ryan O'Neal. Both times she was very cold and unfriendly and not terribly beautiful although she was definitely good looking. I did not get the sense that she was happy. She seemed very wrapped up in herself but not necessarily liking herself. I'm sure that her level of fame must have been overwhelming and hard to make sense of. It can probably really mess up your life and sense of who you are and what's really important. I hope she was able to find some sort of peace before she left.

[Marcos, Brasilia, Brazil]

Dies with her some of the most beautiful moments we, that were teenagers in the 70's, had. Charlie's Angels ( wich had the most sugestive name in Brazil: As Panteras "The Panthers") is something that will never be forgeted! Her hair and smiles, were like an everyday sunrise on our tv sets. Miss her forever! Now she will show her smiles to real angels!

[Frank S]

Although her stardom peaked before i was around, i always thought she was very beautiful even until the later years of her life. RIP Farrah.

[Bonnie]

She carried herself with such grace and courage through her suffering of the terrible illness that took her from us. As a very young teen, I had the "Farrah" hair and always felt part of her was with me, she will always be my idol.. Her image and persona will always be a part of us all and will go into history as an icon of beauty, grace and sweetness. May God help your son Redmond through this most terrible of times. I will miss her. God bless you Farrah, I love you.

[Clint Bradford]

I remember seeing Farrah and Dolly Parton bump into each other in a hallway at NBC ... it took 45 minutes to untangle their hair ... YES, I bought THAT poster in the '70s. "Patient rights" will be Farrah's legacy.

[Sheri]

Farrah is now with God, and will always be a special "ANGEL" .
Farrah fought this illness with courage, strength, and always had faith and a smile.
She is now not here in a physical presence but she will always be in the hearts of millions, and a gauardian angel to her family and friends.

She will always be remembered as a special "ANGEL".
Not any longer in pain or suffering she is a free spirit out of the body that bound her, God Bless you Farrah ! May you now rest in peace.

[Glenda]

There is no greater loss than that of a parent. I am sure Redmond is suffering right now, despite his problems he has still lost his mother.

Ryan, will go on but never will be the same. Put yourself in to helping with the Cancer research Ryan, give yourself a purpose other than grieving forever.

Farrah will be missed, I cried all through out her Docu.

Peace be with you

[Debi Gutierrez]

I got the pleasure of meeting Farrah once, she was an amazing actress and was very humble and sweet when I met her. I also saw her once at Home Depot buying some gold accent paint. When I saw her buying it, I bought some too. Appropriate for someone that had a golden light that shined around her when you met her. She will be greatly missed. My Condolences go out to her family and friends...

[8movies5plays]

As night falls for us, storms gather to cry for you ( MI), laylé cannot hold your spirit and as the sun rises we will always remember your smile. Think of this angel Farrah, I saw a young man riding his bike, Texas hat turned backwards full of life. Such was the gift you gave us. I never knew you were a scientist, you hid that well. As it rains and your family cries for you, don't despair. You will have so much fun away from this place; when we see your smile here on earth we will know what a gift you left your fans. Until the next world, peace

[Marla]

Well, I have to admit I am a feminist to my core. Much is being said about her glamour and what we would consider as very non feminist traits but actually in acting and in her life I think Farah did a lot to advance feminism for women on a personal level because she showed us that we could be fierce, independent, hard working women, still love men and look femine while doing so. I did not know her but will miss what she stood for because she was a pioneer in her own right. I do feel badly she suffered so badly during her seperation from this world but she is still showing us the importance of fighting for better health care treatment in terms of cancer cures and treatments. When you have to wonder if she would have been better off without chemo that question alone shows how far we still have to go not just for women but for all of humanity.

[Mark A.]

Farah's passing away is both heartbreaking and joyous today: Heartbreaking in that her courage and strength in battling her illness has unfortunately come to a sad end; and joyous in a larger sense that she will suffer no longer in the afterlife, wherever that may be.

Farah, in your entire career you've always been terrific---gorgeous, sexy, a knockout! But overall, you're siimply beautiful! And starting today, you're a true angel. That said, say hello to all the other angels the entertainment industry has lost throughout the years. Along with all your fans still here on earth, they will welcome you with open arms and smiles!

Lots of good thoughts and sympathies to the love ones you've left behind---you will be missed!

[andreas carbonara - milan]

'the' poster is still up there in my teen-age room at my folks'. farrah accompanied many of my teen-age and less-so dreams -it was true love even though thousands miles apart and obviously one-sided. today is a sad day. ciao farrah, may god let you be with your fellow angels :-)

[randyhughes]

farrah was a great actress she will be missed by her family and friends and her many fans

[Michael B]

I only felt like I was on an active movie lot once in my life, leaving the foreign languages building at the University of Texas in 1968. It seemed most of us were appearing in 'The Bum's Rush,' a hippie farce, while Farah was leaving 'The Court of Catherine The Great' all coiffed and elegantly dressed. Good on Hollywood that it recognized a star.

[Robert Richard]

Farrah Fawcett for many of us was a part of our childhood. We watched Charlie's Angels, bought the posters and grew up seeing her take on more serious roles. My Farrah sightings included seeing her in LA at a taping of the Tonight Show and here in Toronto. I recall being amongst thousands of people at gay pride day some years back and spotted her. Ironic to see one of the great gay icons of her era at my gay pride day celebrations. Farrah was the 70s version of glamour and was considered America's Sweetheart; a term not used since Canadian export Mary Pickford was bestowed it in her era. I wish her family all the best and share their loss.

Robert Richard,
Toronto, Canada

[Lina Castro]

God bless you Farrah, you are finally at peace. My heart goes out to your son, Redmond, and the love of your life, Ryan and all family members.
You were and are truely an "Angel".

May you rest in peace.

[nocatee52]

Goodbye, Angel !