the role of a lifetime

A few hours before the death of Michael Jackson was announced, Farrah Fawcett succumbed to cancer. While Jackson’s death was a surprise, hers was not.

I’m trying to figure out why Farrah Fawcett is “important” to remember. It seems her body of work was, well, her body of work.

She was the last of the pin up girls. Never really thought of as overly talented, her slightly tousled locks, perfectly straightened teeth and beauty queen body adorned THE poster in almost every teenage boys bedroom in the 1970’s.

Early on, she recognized her role in Charlie’s Angels to be about the poster image, women in tight fitting clothing and high heels fighting crime, a sort of soft core reason for boys to watch TV. She wanted more.

But, more never really happened for Farrah. She spent the last 30 years of her life trying to find meaningful work. And, to some degree, she did. But, nobody noticed, until her final role.

Toward the end, she took her battle with cancer to a very public place - TV. For a very uncomfortable hour, she, her friends, and family described the grueling process of the fight against this monster, and her will to live.

Her dignity was never soiled as she went through the agony of pain, small victories and real life moments. Her emotions, and the emotions of those around her, were real and raw. It was humbling and courageous at the same time. This was important.

It seems in her death, Farrah found the role of a lifetime. Bravo! Farrah.