Mary Farrah Leni Fawcett (born February 2, 1947 in Corpus Christi, Texas) is an actress who became a noted pop culture icon and leading sex symbol of the 1970s.

Fawcett was the best-known star of the television series Charlie's Angels, even though she was only a part of the cast for one year and a few guest spots. A photo of Farrah in a red swimsuit was the most popular pin-up poster of the 1970s, and her layered, feathery-looking hairdo was among the most emulated hairstyles of the decade. She was married to actor Lee Majors from 1973 to 1982, though the two separated in 1979.

There were sexy blondes on television before Fawcett, notably Donna Douglas and Barbara Eden but Fawcett became TV's first blonde bombshell to become a pop culture phenomenon like film actresses Mae West and Marilyn Monroe in earlier decades. Fawcett was everywhere in 1976-77 on the covers of dozens of magazines, toys, and miscellaneous merchandise. Believing she had no legal ties to "Charlie's Angels", Fawcett left the program after the first season in search of movie stardom. She was replaced on the show by Cheryl Ladd. "Charlie's Angels" continued high in the ratings without her but Fawcett's films repeatedly sank at the box office. She gave up on movies in 1981 and signed a major contract with ABC-TV but could not come to an agreement on another series for her.

Fawcett finally achieved critical praise as a serious actress for her role as a battered wife in the 1984 television movie, The Burning Bed. She also won acclaim in the stage and movie version of Extremities. In this role, she played a rape victim who turns the tables on her attacker.

From 1980 to 1997, Fawcett was involved in an often-abusive relationship with actor Ryan O'Neal. The relationship produced one child, Redmond, in 1985 (they are still dating on and off). In 1998 she was injured by then boyfriend James Orr when he tried to stop her from vandalising his house; Orr was arrested and charged.

In 1997 she received some negative attention after giving a less-than-coherent interview on The Late Show with David Letterman. It was speculated that her rambling, incoherent manner was because of drug abuse. She claims that she was just nervous and unprepared for the appearance.

Fawcett has appeared nude at least twice in Playboy, the most recent appearance was when she was 50.

In 2005, Fawcett starred in a reality series for the TV Land network, Chasing Farrah, which chronicles a day in the life of the sex symbol. It also showed her relationship with Ryan O'Neal, father of her son, Redmond, which is still going strong.

TV work

• Chasing Farrah (2005) (miniseries)
• Hollywood Wives: The New Generation (2003)
• Jewel (2001)
• Baby (2000)
• Silk Hope (1999)
• Dalva (1996)
• Children of the Dust (1995)
• The Substitute Wife (1994)
• Criminal Behavior (1992)
• Good Sports (1991) (canceled after 9 episodes)
• Small Sacrifices (1989)
• Margaret Bourke-White (1989)
• Poor Little Rich Girl: The Barbara Hutton Story (1987)
• Nazi Hunter: The Beate Klarsfeld Story (1986)
• Between Two Women (1986)
• The Burning Bed (1984)
• The Red-Light Sting (1984)
• Murder in Texas (1981)
• Charlie's Angels (cast member from 1976-1977)
• Murder on Flight 502 (1975)
• Harry O (1974-1976)
• The Girl Who Came Gift-Wrapped (1974)
• The Great American Beauty Contest (1973)
• Inside O.U.T. (1971)
• The Feminist and the Fuzz (1971)
• The Partridge Family (1970)
• Three's a Crowd (1969)

Filmography

• The Cookout (2004)
• Dr. T & the Women (2000)
• The Flunky (2000) (Cameo)
• The Lovemaster (1997) (Cameo)
• The Apostle (1997)
• Man of the House (1995)
• See You in the Morning (1989)
• Extremities (1986)
• The Cannonball Run (1981)
• Saturn 3 (1980)
• Sunburn (1979)
• An Almost Perfect Affair (1979) (Cameo)
• Somebody Killed Her Husband (1978)
• Logan's Run (1976)
• Myra Breckinridge (1970)
• Love Is a Funny Thing (1969)