Farrah Fawcett could win posthumous Emmy Award
Farrah Fawcett died today at 62, just shy of six weeks since the airing of "Farrah's Story," the documentary that detailed her courageous battle against cancer. The passing of this one-time "Charlie's Angels" star was rumored to be imminent in the last several days. Viewers who tuned in to "Farrah's Story" last month saw her valiant struggle and may be saddened but not surprised at this news.
Farrah Fawcett's death was announced just hours before the end of voting to determine the nominees for this year's Emmy Awards. Television's highest honor eluded this small-screen icon who earned three acting Emmy nominations during her three-decade-plus career.
Farrah Fawcett may contend once more for an Emmy Award as an executive producer of "Farrah's Story," which could be nominated as outstanding nonfiction special. It is one of 43 shows in competition for the final five slots on the Emmy ballot.
Fawcett's longtime friend Alana Stewart produced this intimate, two-hour special. As Stewart told People recently, "It was never meant to be a documentary. Farrah just took her little hand-held camera to the doctor one day." In a twist of fate, it was during that 2007 doctor's visit when Farrah Fawcett was told her cancer had come back.
She had been diagnosed with anal cancer the previous year and thought she had beaten the disease. With conventional treatments no longer working, Fawcett went to Germany to pursue alternative therapies. Fawcett became an outspoken advocate for early detection and treatment of colorectal cancer, and she worked tirelessly to raise the profile of this disease. And by documenting her own struggles in such graphic detail, she made millions aware of the need for testing and research.
Among those appearing in "Farrah's Story" were her one-time "Charlie's Angels" costars Kate Jackson and Jaclyn Smith. Farrah Fawcett received the first of her six Golden Globe nominations for the first season of "Charlie's Angels" in 1977 and won the People's Choice Award as favorite newcomer that year.
However, it would not be until 1985 that she earned her first Emmy nod playing a real-life woman who fought back against domestic violence in "The Burning Bed." While Fawcett lost that Emmy race to Oscar champ Joanne Woodward for "Do You Remember Love," she won over TV critics impressed by her acting ability. Fawcett was forever proud of that role and was seen in "Farrah's Story" telling hospital workers she thought of that and her role in "Extremities" – in which she battled a rapist – as the highlights of her career.
In 1989, she starred opposite longtime love Ryan O'Neal in the miniseries "Small Sacrifices." For her work as a real-life 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."
Below, Fawcett and the other two original "Charlie's Angels" – Kate Jackson and Jaclyn Smith – pay tribute to the show's producer, the late Aaron Spelling, at the 2006 Emmy Awards.
Photo: ABC
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 love you, Farrah.
Jonathan of Malaysia
Posted by: Jonathan | June 27, 2009 at 06:49 AM
I have been fighting breast cancer since October 2008. I saw the documentary, and I was very moved by it. I was also grateful that Farrah finally documented her battle with cancer. She fought with honor, grace, and dignity, and she is/was an inspiration to all of us who are fighting cancer.
Actually I'm upset that the media has put her death on the back burner for Michael Jackson.
My heart goes out to Ryan O'Neil also. In the documentary, you could tell that he was with her every step of the way battling cancer right with her. He continued to try to be her cheerleader or pep assembly -- to keep her hopeful and positive! I know first hand that it is hard through all the treatments and surgeries to stay positive and upbeat all the time -- Ryan did that for Farrah! That showed through the documentary, and I applaud him for HIS faithfulness! I know first hand that cancer is just as hard on the spouse as it is the cancer patient.
http://dragonzwing14.wordpress.com/
Posted by: Joyce of Kalamazoo, MI | June 26, 2009 at 07:48 AM
May Farrah rest in peace, and may Ryan O'Neal rest in solace.
Zazoo in Oklahoma
Posted by: Zazoo | June 25, 2009 at 11:51 PM
its ashame that an ugley disease took out one of our gratest icons. she fought and fought very hard but at the end the cancer won.just like it did with my grand mother.i will remember you farrah in my heart. now you are with the angels.
Posted by: carla | June 25, 2009 at 11:34 PM
Rest in Peace, Farrah. Your smile and your courage will always be remembered.
Posted by: Annie Hasselhan | June 25, 2009 at 08:29 PM
Farrah was a great lady. She was smart, strong, independent, and an inspiration to many people. I'm just a normal citizen, but watching her all through her career was a gift and pleasure. God bless her and all those who cared about her.
Posted by: mikecanada | June 25, 2009 at 08:21 PM
today is a very sad one Farrah is gone ... she became a real Angel know , today i found out my husband has cancer , i can't really say how i feel , i guess is to soon , but all i know is that Farrah will be our inspiration ...maritza
Posted by: maritza gaviria | June 25, 2009 at 07:31 PM
Sorry, but I sat through that documentary and it was soulless and painful to watch and not because she had cancer. Yes, there's no star like a dead one and Hollywood loves to honor them, but this was not a good documentary. Ryan O'Neal was particularly hard to take.
Posted by: WillfromSF | June 25, 2009 at 06:00 PM
i remember Charlie's Angels as a 12 year old. As kids we used to role play and i was ALWAYS Farrah. now at 38, I still sex up my blonde hair in Farrah style and I love it!!
Love to FF and R.I.P lovely.
Posted by: Dali | June 25, 2009 at 05:45 PM
I remember Farah all too well. The beautiful hair, smile and image. I remember the shampoo too! One of the best on the market. My thoughts and sympathy go to Ryan O'Neil (a true Love Story) and their families. What a courageous woman. I hope her death isn't overshadowed by the loss of another icon and that is Michael Jackson. Heaven awaits those who deserve it! What a legacy they both left this world. Peace!
Posted by: 70sGenRemembers | June 25, 2009 at 05:30 PM
My thoughts and prayers are with the family. We need to find peace in the fact that such a wonderful person is no longer hurting. God rest your soul Farrah! I Loved you then and love you now!
Posted by: Jan Booth | June 25, 2009 at 02:30 PM
She will be missed greatly god bless her faimly and may she be a insperation to those battling cancer!
Posted by: mandy | June 25, 2009 at 02:02 PM
Goodbye Farrah
We will never forget you! You were one of the best
Posted by: Jerry McIntyre | June 25, 2009 at 01:43 PM
Farrah had a small role in the sci-fi movie Logan's Run before she rocketed to fame with Charlies Angels...she was so beautiful then, seeing her the highlight of that movie for me
Posted by: mitch | June 25, 2009 at 01:28 PM
I was 12 when C. A. aired. She was my most favorite Charlie's Angel and most favorite actress of all times. May she rest in peace.
Posted by: Eria Badu | June 25, 2009 at 01:25 PM
May her soul rest in peace! She will be missed. May God bless her family, friends and loved ones
Posted by: skystne | June 25, 2009 at 01:24 PM
another first and great movie of Farrah's that seems to be overlooked is Murder in Texas with Sam Elliott and Karl Malden about a true story of a texan doctor who killed is wealthy texan wife,
Posted by: Jeanne | June 25, 2009 at 01:21 PM
Bad Writer, Please be more descriptive about the details. IE: Cancer, but what kind of cancer?
Posted by: James | June 25, 2009 at 01:13 PM
Rest in Peace Farrah. From a generation of young men who thought you were the greatest thing since sliced bread!
Posted by: carlosdiver | June 25, 2009 at 01:06 PM
I was a pumped up 15 year old when charlie's angels aired. I had her famous poster on my bedroom wall. My cat attacked it later on because I think he was crazy for her too! Hearing her die today has made me aware of my own mortality.
Posted by: carlosdiver | June 25, 2009 at 01:04 PM
I loved Farrah's story and it certainly deserves praise, what baffles me though is why do they always wait until after a person dies to honor them?
Posted by: Tracy | June 25, 2009 at 12:36 PM
The documentary was beautiful. Being considered and winnning would be another beautiful touch to a painful story.
I did not live in a time where I really knew Farrah as a icon. But, after watching F.S. I was so moved and amazed....I cried as the credits rolled and I weeped today as I heard the news that this outstanding woman lost her fight.
Win....yes....
Missed....yes...
An angel in heaven....most definitely.
God Bless her family.
Posted by: sanityrose | June 25, 2009 at 12:31 PM