When Lee Majors, the American actor, crossed paths with Farrah Fawcett, she was a young college beauty who had been nudged towards Hollywood by her parents, setting the stage for a legendary romance.
Majors, born in Kentucky, faced early tragedy with the loss of both parents by the age of two. Despite this, he managed to navigate through college on a football scholarship but was thwarted in his aspirations of becoming a professional player due to recurring injuries.
His journey eventually led him to Los Angeles, initially intending to pursue a career as a high school coach. However, fate intervened when he was introduced to acting by some football acquaintances.
After gaining experience and traction in the film industry, Majors achieved fame portraying Heath, Barbara Stanwyck’s rebellious son, in the popular ABC series “The Big Valley.” Subsequent roles in shows like “Owen Marshall” and “The Men From Shiloh” paved the way for his iconic portrayal of the “Six Million Dollar Man” in 1973.
Reflecting on his rise to stardom, Majors expressed gratitude for the opportunity and acknowledged the overwhelming attention it brought, to the extent that he couldn’t even frequent bars without being challenged to arm wrestling matches.
Fawcett, on the other hand, hailed from a devout Catholic family in Texas, where her father worked as an oilfield contractor. Her journey to stardom began when a publicity agent spotted her photo and extended an invitation to Hollywood, prompting her parents to drive her there two years later.
Starting as a model, Fawcett soon transitioned into acting, making appearances in commercials for various products. It was during this time that Majors, through a publicist, reached out to her, inviting her to dinner, albeit with initial resistance from Fawcett.
However, upon their meeting, Fawcett was reportedly smitten, describing Majors as a “gorgeous” and “cute” individual. Their romance blossomed swiftly, culminating in their marriage in 1973, with Fawcett becoming a steadfast supporter of Majors’ career endeavors.
Their union was not without its challenges, as the demands of fame and conflicting career trajectories strained their relationship. Fawcett’s meteoric rise to fame with “Charlie’s Angels” further exacerbated tensions, leading to their eventual separation in 1979 and subsequent divorce in 1982.
Following her split from Majors, Fawcett embarked on a long-term relationship with actor Ryan O’Neal, spanning two decades and yielding a son, Redmond. Despite the ups and downs, their enduring bond endured until Fawcett’s passing in 2009, following her courageous battle with cancer.
In the same year that Fawcett was diagnosed with anal cancer, she also tragically lost her mother. At that time, the disease was exceptionally rare, affecting only about five Americans annually.
Seeking treatment, Fawcett turned to The Angeles Clinic and Research Institute under the care of Dr. Lawrence Piro. While her cancer was deemed incurable, it was manageable with treatment.
During her battle, O’Neal stood by her side, moving in with Fawcett and accompanying her to Germany for aggressive treatment. Despite their efforts, she passed away at the St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica, California, at the age of 62.
Following her passing, Majors released a statement expressing his and his wife Faith’s deep sadness at the news. He praised Fawcett for her incredible strength in fighting the disease, hailing her as an earthly angel. Majors also reminisced about their marriage, revealing that he had selected her iconic “Charlie’s Angels” poster photo.
In an interview with People Magazine, Majors reflected on their complex relationship, acknowledging the challenges posed by their demanding careers, which often kept them apart for long periods. Despite the difficulties, he expressed pride in his enduring relationship with his current wife, spanning over two decades.
Remaining active in his career, even at the age of 84, Majors continued to lend his voice to the character Jeff Tracy in “Thunderbirds Are Go,” exemplifying his commitment to his craft.