'Farrah's Story': Farrah Fawcett's greatest role
"Farrah Fawcett, Executive Producer" flashes on the TV screen in one of the closing shots of "Farrah's Story," which aired Friday night on NBC. That credit may result in earning Farrah Fawcett an industry honor that's eluded her so far — an Emmy Award — thanks to how powerfully and expertly the brave TV special tells the tragic tale of her struggle with cancer.
Farrah Fawcett hasn't won an Emmy for acting in television series like "Charlie's Angels" or critically hailed TV movies like "The Burning Bed," but "Farrah's Story" could compete at the Emmy Awards as either outstanding nonfiction special or for the juried award for exceptional merit in nonfiction filmmaking.
Fawcett received her first Emmy bid for dramatizing the horrors of domestic violence in "The Burning Bed" (1984), a role she cites — along with "Extremities" (1986), in which she battles a rapist — as the favorites of her career when asked by hospital workers during a scene in "Farrah's Story."
She lost that Emmy race to Oscar champ Joanne Woodward for "Do You Remember Love," but TV critics were wowed by her serious acting chops. That was a key milestone in her career. Next, in 1989, she starred opposite Ryan O'Neal in the miniseries "Small Sacrifices." For her work as a murderous mother, she picked up a second Emmy nod, losing to Barbara Hershey for "A Killing in a Small Town."
In the first half of this decade, Fawcett appeared in multiple episodes of both "Spin City" and "The Guardian," earning her third Emmy nomination for her acclaimed turn on the latter in 2003. She lost that race to Emmy darling Alfre Woodard, who played a defendant on "The Practice."
Farrah Fawcett has also been nominated for six Golden Globes and one Independent Spirit Award ("The Apostle," 1997), but the only major showbiz prize she's won so far is a People's Choice Award for "Charlie's Angels" (1977).
RELATED POSTS
Farrah Fawcett faces court battle over 'Farrah's Story'
Farrah Fawcett will watch her NBC movie from bed Friday night
Photo: NBC
Get Gold Derby on Twitter. Join the Gold Derby Group at Facebook. Become friends with Tom O'Neil on Facebook. Get Gold Derby RSS feed via Facebook. RSS Feedburner. RSS Atom.
I REMEMBER FARAH FAWCETT. SHE WAS A GREAT ACTRESS IN CHARLIES ANGELS AND OTHER MOVIES SHE MADE. GORGOUS HAIR AND BEAUTIFUL SMILE. I BELIEVE MORE RESEARCH SHOULD BE DONE WITH CANCER. NOT MONEY TO FLY TO THE MOON, ETC. THAT IS SO RIDICULOUS. MANY MILLIONS ARE DYING FROM CANCER.
Posted by: MARIAN KNOX | June 25, 2009 at 07:05 PM
I THOUGHT SHE WAS SO GREAT IN CHARLIES ANGELS AND OTHER MOVIES SHE HAD MADE. SHE WAS BEAUTIFUL. GORGOUS HAIR AND SMILE. THIS CANCER SHOULD BE RESEARCHED MORE TO SAVE PEOPLES LIVES, NOT SPEND MONEY FOR THE MOON, ETC. RIDICULOUS MONEY SPENT ON OTHER THINGS WHICH ARE NOT AS IMPORTANT AS CANCER......
Posted by: MARIAN KNOX | June 25, 2009 at 07:04 PM
dear farrah I have always thought farrah was so beautiful as a teenager watching charlie's angles it was hard not to stare. today I still think she is beautiful may god bless her and keep her from being in anymore pain...I will pray for her everynight before I close my eyes at night....I hope her son realized what a very very special his mom is...
Posted by: gleezette | May 20, 2009 at 06:55 PM
God bless you Farrah Fawcett. You are an angle from the almighty above. Your story and bravery has touched the lives of millions. You have more courage and guts than anybody on the earth. You have single handedly changed the way people look at cancer. I never had a hero until now. God bless you and you family!
Our love thoughts and prayers are with you eternally...
Posted by: Roger Raskin | May 19, 2009 at 05:45 PM
I too am a cancer survivor. It broke my heart to watch Farrah's story. I know too well about the "hair thing".
My thoughts and prayers go out to Farrah (her fight), and her family.
Love, and prayers, Sheila
Posted by: S.P. Dixon Pretty | May 19, 2009 at 04:14 AM
Dear Farrah,
I have been trying to get in touch with Ryan to give you an address of an authentic healer. His name is John of God. He lives in Abadiania, GOIAS, Brazil. Look up for JOHN OF GOD on the internet. There are no charges for his service. He can do remote healing. I truly feel in my heart that he can help you as he has helped me with other issues. Renown actors, singers and ordinary people visit him daily.
I truly hope this message will reach you.
I bless you and hug you in my prayers.
Love, Betty
Posted by: Betty | May 17, 2009 at 11:46 AM
I was deeply moved by this program. Farrah's courage and honesty really touched my heart. It really makes you focus on what is really important in life.
Posted by: Mary | May 17, 2009 at 06:30 AM
I was so moved by Farrah's story. I found the footage of Ryan and Farrah sleeping peacefully side by side the most touching. You see, when I was first diagnosed with cancer my husband did that with me...he was afraid to leave my side. Such a hauntingly beautiful tale of Farrah's real life and a true depiction of how cancer affects not only the patient but the entire family. I feel so bad that Farrah has had to suffer so....I wish peace and healing for you now dear lady. xo
Posted by: Cathy Meek | May 16, 2009 at 10:26 PM
'Farrah's Story' was beautifully and importantly produced to reflect her story. The issues were woven amongst Farrah's life; if one wants to research anal cancer and Dr. Vogl's treatments further that is easily accessed. She is as stoic as she is beautiul! If the last of it was 'rushed' just let it be! Thank you!
Posted by: Lorrin | May 16, 2009 at 10:08 PM
I watched the entire Farrah's Story glued to the TV. For me, Farrah has given cancer a face. She is the epitome of courage and strength but I have questions about her choice of treatments that will forever go unanswered. God Bless you Farrah for giving us this gift of knowledge. For many, this was eye opening and perhaps many will begin to take better care of themselves.
Posted by: Karilynn | May 16, 2009 at 06:22 PM
My husband was getting up to walk the dogs as the show came on. He sat down and never got back up until it was over. It was a sobering view of cancer. I wanted so much for her pain to be gone.
Posted by: Franklly.... | May 16, 2009 at 01:57 PM
Farrah's Story will win an Emmy Award for it's excellence without question.
Posted by: Stefan Kalinka | May 16, 2009 at 12:57 PM
I feel awful for Farrah and the harrowing journey she is traveling, but did not find this documentary uplifting. Yes, she's fighting as hard as she can to stay alive, but so do most people with terminal illness. The procedures in Germany seemed terribly harsh, and in the end were not effective. Ryan and Redmond have not been honest with her. America spends more on cancer research than any other country. I wish her peace, but her farewell video should be viewed as a personal goodbye to her family and friends, not as anything remotely educational for anyone else.
Posted by: Dianne | May 16, 2009 at 10:43 AM
god bless you Farrah
your story moved me beyond words
rest now dear lady
your voice has been heard
love surrounds you
and you have god watching over you
peace
Posted by: Cindy | May 16, 2009 at 09:57 AM
Last night's presentation of Farrah's Story was undoubtedly the most worthwhile television program I have ever watched. God Bless You, Farrah, your family, friends and everyone else involved in this. Your Bravery, Faith and Love have inspired me to keep up the fight and not let my own battle defeat me. Thank you all.
Posted by: Hatch | May 16, 2009 at 03:39 AM
As far as I'm concerned Farrah Fawcett should be awarded her Emmy tomorrow...her special was moving, outstanding and most importantly, honest. It revealed several truths about an American girl who came from nowhere and became ubiquitous. The great Aaron Spelling was on to something: on earth or in heaven, Farrah really is an angel.
Posted by: Pat | May 15, 2009 at 11:21 PM