IMDb’s front page reminds me that Farrah Fawcett was born on this day. This in turn reminded me to revisitwhat I wrote the day the news broke that she passed. I regret it wasn’t more of a specific tribute, but I like the fire I was writing with. I think I was getting at something big. Of course, then MJ kicked the bucket later that afternoon and everyone moved on immediately. Please check this piece out and comment if you are so inclined.
Originally posted on 6-25-2009, while covering pop culture for another site.
Farrah Fawcett passed away today in California at the early age of 62. Cancer was the culprit.
I don’t have much to say besides to report the shocking news.
Not exactly sure why it’s so upsetting to me personally – Farrah Fawcett was hugely important to a generation, but it was a generation one or two ahead of mine. Mine was the rerun generation – I got to see Charlie’s Angels only in syndication, and only then when I was home sick from school. Cannonball Run, I only got to know by the time it hit cable (although she was adorable in that). Of course, once introduced to Farrah onscreen, I quickly understood what the big deal was about. She had a real liveliness on screen that cannot be manufactured.
On second thought, I think what makes this news so upsetting is right there in my first sentence up there – “at the early age of 62.” 62 is way too low a number to go out on. I didn’t see Farrah’s recent cancer special, in which she documented her treatment and her daily routines throughout her illness, but I read that it was pretty heavily watched. That’s good. People should be constantly aware of the massive threat that cancer continues to pose to our country . More importantly, POLITICIANS should be aware.
How we have time or money to spend on anything else before working on a cure for cancer is beyond me. I can’t tell you how deeply I despise politicians who spend time on war-mongering, or decrying gay marriage, or having sex scandals, when instead they should be focused on pressing national concerns like promoting cancer research. Any politician who spends their time denying gay couples the right to live equally (to take just one modern example), rather than raising money to address the cancer scourge, is an idiot, a coward, and a villain. I’m sorry to turn this sad news into an angry diatribe, but other news outlets can memorialize Farrah better than I can. I think that this particular angry diatribe is important, and I suspect that Farrah would agree.
If any good can come out of the terrible tragedy of the loss of an inarguable American icon today, it’s that maybe other people will feel the same shock I do, and will be moved to promote cancer awareness – the way Farrah did in her last days.
Hell of a piece, Jon. I lost both my parents to cancer, so I share your rage on the topic. Shamefully though, pushing for cancer and other medical research doesn’t get a politician votes, or their picture in the papers. I think their logic is something like “well who’s gonna be against cancer research? Let’s spend all our time showing that the guys across the aisle are (insert conservative/liberal bias of your choice)”. The only concern is getting or staying in power. Nobody has the wit to think about what that power could accomplish. Whoever wins your election this November, do you think their inauguration speech will be another “By the end of this decade…”? It would be great if it was, but somehow I doubt it. Ok, rant over. Let’s get back to talking about movies.
By the way, Cannonball Run would’ve been my first Farrah experience and yes, she was adorable.
Yes in movies and on magazine covers she was “adorable” but in her last film Farrah’s Story she was “ASTONISHING” ! I could barely control my emotions watching that heartbreaking film. And if I thought I had a huge crush on Farrah before, well after this film I had pure admiration. One of our all-time great beauties and now an all-time inspiration. God Bless