Farrah Fawcett, the actress and longtime partner of Malibu resident Ryan O’Neal, died at Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica at 9:30 a.m. Thursday morning.
“After a long and brave battle with cancer, our beloved Farrah has passed away,” O’Neal said in a statement through his publicist. “Although this is an extremely difficult time for her family and friends, we take comfort in the beautiful times we shared with Farrah over the years and the knowledge that her life brought joy to so many people around the world.”
The actress was diagnosed with anal cancer in 2006. She told the world of her fight in an NBC documentary that friends said was meant to serve as an inspiration for others.
Fawcett shot to fame in the 1970s in the hit TV series “Charlie’s Angels.” Her blonde tresses and megawatt smile made her an iconic pin-up poster girl. The actress went on to critical acclaim in the television drama “The Burning Bed.” In that more serious role, she won the first of three Emmy awards for her portrayal as a battered wife.
Following her divorce from “Six Million Dollar Man” actor Lee Majors” in 1982, Fawcett developed a relationship with “Love Story” star O’Neal and had a son, 24-year-old Redmond. They parted after 17 years, but Fawcett was back at his side when O’Neal went through his own battle with leukemia. In her waning days, Fawcett reportedly agreed to marry O’Neal, but was apparently too weak to do so.
O’Neal was at her side at the time of her death, along with longtime friend Alana Stewart. Redmond, who has a history of drug problems, was in jail at the time.
Tributes to the star soon came pouring in including this from fellow “Charlie’s Angel” star Jaclyn Smith: “Farrah had courage, she had strength, and she had faith. And now she has peace as she rests with the real angels.”
In addition to her son, her father, James, survives Fawcett. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Farrah Fawcett Foundation. P.O. Box 6478 Beverly Hills, California 90212.