A Hollywood Fairytale
Lee Majors, the American actor, and Farrah Fawcett, the college beauty driven to Hollywood, had a chance encounter that sparked a famous love story. Majors, originally from Kentucky, had a tough start in life, losing both his parents at a young age. He pursued his education while playing football in college, but unfortunately, his dreams of becoming a professional player were dashed by injuries.
Majors then headed to Los Angeles to pursue a career as a high school coach, but fate had other plans for him. Introduced to acting by some of his football friends, he studied and crawled his way into the movie industry, eventually rising to fame as Heath, Barbara Stanwyck’s rascal son on the popular ABC network series, “The Big Valley.” He went on to appear in successful TV shows like “Owen Marshall” and “The Men From Shiloh,” which led to his iconic role as the “Million Dollar Man” in 1973.
In an interview, Majors expressed his gratitude and humility at being given such a significant role. His fame grew to the point where he could no longer go into bars without being approached by guys who wanted to arm wrestle him.
The Rise of Farrah Fawcett
Farrah Fawcett, on the other hand, was born and raised in Texas, the daughter of an oilfield contractor. She attended the University of Texas and was voted the college beauty queen. Her picture caught the eye of a publicity agent, who invited her to Hollywood. Two years later, with her parents’ support, Fawcett made the journey to pursue a career as a model and soon started making guest appearances in commercials.
The Fateful Meeting
After arriving in Hollywood, Fawcett’s picture caught the eye of a publicist working for Lee Majors. He left her a message in the rooming house she was staying, inviting her to dinner at 7:30 p.m. This audacious move initially annoyed her, but Majors called back later to apologize. When they finally met, Fawcett reportedly fell in love with him at first sight. Their first date was cut short when she fell ill, but Majors sent her 13 yellow roses the next day. In an interview, he described her as “so gorgeous… like a little girl. So cute, so beautiful inside.”
Marriage and Stardom
Majors had been previously married and had a child when he met Fawcett. However, their connection was strong, and they got married in 1973. This was also the time when Majors was starring as the bionic robot in “The Six Million Dollar Man,” and Fawcett became his biggest supporter. Alongside her modeling career with brands like Ultra Brite, Noxzema, and Wella Balsam, Fawcett rose to fame herself when she was cast in the hit TV show “Charlie’s Angels” in 1976. The iconic poster of her in a red one-piece bathing suit sold millions of copies and turned her into a worldwide sex symbol.
The Cracks in the Marriage
Fawcett and Majors faced challenges in their marriage due to the sudden fame she achieved and their demanding careers. They had both left successful TV shows to pursue movie careers, but the movies Majors appeared in after “The Six Million Dollar Man” were not commercially successful. Fawcett, too, faced backlash from fans for leaving “Charlie’s Angels” after just a year. Despite this, she remained determined to rely more on herself and less on advisers and her husband. These differences ultimately led to their separation in 1979 and their divorce in 1982.
Farewell, Farrah
After her separation from Majors, Fawcett began a long-lasting relationship with actor Ryan O’Neal. Although they never married, their bond lasted for two decades, and they had a son named Redmond. They broke up in 1997 but reunited when O’Neal was diagnosed with cancer. Sadly, Fawcett herself was diagnosed with cancer in 2006, the same year she lost her mother. She underwent treatment but ultimately succumbed to the disease in 2009, leaving behind a legacy as an angel on Earth.
Lee Majors Remembers Farrah
Upon hearing the news of Fawcett’s passing, Majors and his wife expressed their sadness. Majors spoke fondly of their marriage and the time they spent together, revealing that he had chosen the iconic photo for Fawcett’s “Charlie’s Angels” poster. He shared that their careers often kept them apart for long periods of time, but he was proud of their enduring relationship. At the age of 84, Majors continues to work, keeping his passion alive.
The love story of Lee Majors and Farrah Fawcett captured the hearts of many, leaving behind a lasting legacy of talent, fame, and a whirlwind romance.
