“I didn’t plan to do any interviews today. I was just going to go to the place that Farrah and I were together the last time we were together during this three years and just sit. But I love her so much. There’s no way that I couldn’t be part of a tribute to her, and you know, just give people my impressions of who Farrah is.
“I just remembered a minute ago that right after I came to Hollywood from New York, I went to my first party where there were Hollywood people, and I walked in the door, and I knew that Lee Majors was married. I saw Lee Majors. He was the first star I had ever seen. Then I realized someone was with him, and I was almost blinded by the most gorgeous, magnificent, glorious girl about my age, who was talking and laughing with him. I just froze and stared, and I thought to myself, ‘Oh God, the competition is really bad around here.’ And it [turns out the girl talking with Majors] was Farrah. I told her that later when we finally met because we didn’t meet that night—we officially met doing Charlie’s Angels—that she was the person that almost made me go home. I told her that she was darn lucky that I was still here to do this show because I almost went home because of her, when I saw her I thought, ‘Oh God, I better go home and, you know, be a teacher or something.’
“She was so funny, and we had the best time that year that she did Charlie’s Angels because we got into the habit of just sort of ad-libbing on camera and trying to make the other one laugh, or doing something unexpected. I remember once, where other actors and actresses fight for their close-ups, we fought to see how tightly together we could get our heads so we could do a tight three that would be as tight as a close-up. We just wanted to go home! We were so tired! There was one scene… Jackie [Jaclyn Smith] was sitting on one end of the couch, and I was sitting on the arm of the couch leaning over toward her, and Farrah was standing behind the couch, behind us, leaning forward so that all of our heads were real close together. It was 11 o’clock on a Friday night, and you know, we finally said to the director, ‘Now that’s a close up, isn’t it? It’s as close as you can get! Look, we’re all in there, and our heads aren’t even cut off.’ So she had some line and was supposed to walk out the door. She said the line and straightened up and started to walk out the door with that energy, you know, and as she walked out, she just sort of tapped me on the shoulder. She knew what was going to happen. I completely lost my balance and fell off the arm of the sofa. They kept rolling and I said, ‘I can’t believe you did that!’ She was walking out the door and looked back at me and laughed. It was actually in the show. I saw it in the show that week. They left it in! They left in a lot of the stuff we did.
“When the first year of Charlie’s Angels ended, our friendship didn’t. It just grew stronger and closer through the years. I don’t know what the connection that the three of us have is, but it is there, and it is something extremely special. I think that is the reason the show worked. I think it’s even better than the movies because we truly cared about each other and still do. It was a pleasure and a privilege.
“It was not easy at times to be able to be with her these last three years and to be able to continue laughing. There was always, if few words were spoken, a zinger, though. Then there’d be a little light laugh, even through everything. She was just extraordinary and bright and as sharp as they come and beautiful and her courage, I just… I don’t even know what to say about that. She was never a follower; she was always a leader. Her choices were her choices.”
More on Farrah Fawcett:
Farrah Fawcett: Friends, family, and colleagues pay their respects
‘Farrah’s Story’: Ken Tucker’s review
Farrah Fawcett: 15 career milestones
Farrah Fawcett: angel in a red bathing-suit
Comments (1-30) of 74 Add your comment
That was really nice to read.
It’s not right that Farrah is being marginalized by this Jackson horror show. She deserves respect for the smart interesting choices she made in life, and for the challenging way she died.
sad:
Michael Jackson’s death has been a horrible tragedy, it is unfortunate that it happened on Farrah’s day of death and it is unfortunate both deaths happened at all. But you have to understand farrah had cancer and her death whereas tragic was expected. Jackson’s wasn’t, plus he had more influence in pop culture. In the end they were both great loses.
For some reason, I always thought there was friction between Farrah, Kate, and Jaclyn because of Farrah leaving the show, hence why there was no reunion for so many years. But after reading the press releases and seeing their recent interviews and tributes, I guess I was mistaken. Glad to know they were all such good friends. A tragic loss.
Tears just flowed, I enjoyed reading this article. Thank you.
That was lovely. Thank you, Ms. Jackson.
Caryn Brooks’ letter to Farrah Fawcett – Gen X girl says goodbye to favorite angel says it perfectly. Jill Munroe, Kelly Garrett and Sabrina Duncan taught us girls we could be smart, beautiful and still kick butt. I loved you all then and I still love you all now. Thank you for pointing out what our capabilities truly were in a way that had never been done before.
I totally agree. Enough of Michael Jackson. With all the news channels, you would think that some broadcasters would have the decency to at least mention Farrah as much as Jackson. She will be greatly missed.
This is dedicated to the loved ones we have lost:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndIZuppIPkA
The sweetest words are being said about Farrah and it really has given us a real look at someone who was just an icon for so long.
I agree that there has been way too much Jackson-mania. All I could think of was Farrah’s courage, strength, and her good character. Not only was she an icon, but through her illness she wanted to show people what it was like, taking us to places so personal most wouldn’t want to share. She tried to teach and love and reach out when she knew it wouldn’t be long. And then there’s the other. Ok, so people liked his music. But how often was he talked about for his music or his good works? Often he made the news for his molestation charges or financial problems. So, musically gifted, but a &*$% up in other ways and he somehow overshadows her completely? That’s messed up.
Actually, Kate Jackson is on the right in the photo. Someone at EW should make the correction.
Thank you Kate Jackson.
I will miss Farrah too like the rest of the world.
Thank you, Kate Jackson, for those lovely memories of your friend. I feel privileged that you shared them. As for the Michael Jackson-mania, let’s face it, isn’t this what you would have expected? I remember when Elvis Presley died–the tabloids went into overdrive and it was way, way, way before the internet, CNN, FOX, etc. And it was nuts, then. Now, it’s going to be even worse.
I was never a huge Michael Jackson fan. He was talented but also a nut job Once again drugs were most likely the answer Poor me, I’m rich and famous and will only accept the high life. Farrah was a brave,real person who through no fault of her own, suffered terribly for years. Rest in peace Farrah, you deserve more than a paragraph here and there
Most of us die being recognized only by family and friends and a short blip at the back of the paper. Why does it matter how much press a celebrity gets as a result of their death and if they have to share it with someone else. I am sure that was never one of Farrah’s biggest concerns. Our society is whack.
Michael Jackson was a supremely talented entertainer, his death leaves many questions. Was his death drug related? Has a child molester left the planet? How much money did he owe after squandering millions? And the ultimate question to this cancer survivor is this; Could the millions that he spent on ridiculous surgeries, life-like cub scout dolls and God only knows what else could have been better used to find a cure for cancer? I for one respect the courage of Farrah Fawcett much more than the much more talented Michael Jackson.
Thank you Kate for this nice article and rememberance of your friend. This is just a difficult time for all of us that loved Farrah. She is just a part of so many of our favorite memories.
Kate Jackson was my favorite “angel” and I loved to read her memories about Farrah-fun times that will last forever! I will always remember the “original angels” as the BEST ANGELS because it was the first show that showed WOMEN COULD KICK ASS!!!
I am So sick of you guys. Jackson WAS a bigger star than Farrah! Talk about relevance. This blonde White girl was only relevant now because of her cancer.What movies had she done in the past few years? Why even mention MJ. This article is about Farrah! But hey, you guys brought it up…
What lovely words and what a kind tribute. The three ladies were always very classy.
Great words by her co-star there. Farrah will be missed.
http://tvdonewright.com/2009/06/26/tv-tonight-saturday-june-27th-2009/
Thank you for sharing your memories of a truly wonderful, brave woman with us. She made the world a little brighter, she made us smile, she brought awareness to the subjects of domestic abuse, rape and mothers hurting their children with her movies. I remember her in Logan’s Run, one of my all time favorite movies…she was absolutely beautiful in it. Rest in Peace Angel…you earned your wings.
Michael Jackson had more influence in pop culture??? Hello…do you know any young boy or man in the 1970’s who didn’t have Farrah’s poster on their wall? He sold the most albums, she sold the most posters…call it a draw and mourn both of their losses instead of comparing who was more of an icon. Two people who both influenced generations have left us.
She will be missed. RIP you were beautiful. http://www.christiansinglesdate.com/
My sympathy goes to Mr. Ryan O’Neil and family and friends It should be Farrah’s day nobody else.
Kate was also my very favorite Angel I truly think I was her biggest fan. I kept a huge scrap book. I loved her from Dark shadows and there was another show where she played a nurse. Thank you for sharing your memeories , I think the stars of today should follow the example of you , Farrah and Jacalyn. You three were some of the brightest stars on TV and yet you always had class.
RIP From Canada
” I grew up with these “ladies”. I had all the Charlie’s Angels stuff. I was always made fun of because I had a Charlie’s Angels lunchbox and I was a boy. Oh well, these strong women made me strong. I loved Farrah from the first time I saw her! I had the pleasure of serving her and Ryan on a flight to LA–they both were exceptional people. I have met Kate and Jacklyn too and they were very nice. “I’ll miss you Farrah-thanks for making my ABC night of the week I waited for every night in 76′. God rest your soul–love Greg-Denver, Colorado.
RIP Farrah….
Now you have truly become an Angel….
We will miss you dearly…