Farrah Fawcett: Land of the Farrahs

Q: There was a rumor that you were drinking before the show started.

A: One story said that Id had a drink and actually set it down just before going out onstage. What happened was I had lipstick in my hand because during breaks when my lips get dry, I put some of that on. The hairdresser didn't think I knew I had it in my hand, so she tried to get it out of my hand but the top fell off. On my way out, I stopped to pick up the top and people thought I set down a drink.

Q: You did the show to promote your Playboy video. Were you happy with how it turned out?

A: My problem is not with Hugh Hefner, who I thought was an extraordinary visionary for his time. I think that the company and people I was dealing with were misogynistic. I come from an art background. I don't have a problem with the female body except when it's presented in a pornographic way. In Europe, people don't have this problem with nudity. I thought I could elevate Playboy and prove that, in America, you can accept the female body. I wanted a video in which the body is about the gesture of an arm, the flow of a back, the power of sensuality. It became ugly. You can't fight a corporation and just be one woman, one child-woman, one woman-child, whatever I am. I don't think you have to spread your legs, shave and open yourself up to be beautiful. I went so far as to try and buy up all the videos. I tried to get an injunction. That's when they called me "sexist."

Q: Why sexist?

A: When we were trying to get the injunction, my attorney made me promise not to speak. I was bored with the whole thing and was writing on the bulletin board "XX=truth, XY=confusion." The guy who was going to testify against me said I was sexist and I said, "That's not sexist, it's a biological fact. I majored in biology. XX chromosome is a female, XY is a male. That's from God." He said, "Some of us think God is a woman," and I was like, "Right, surely mat's you." Legally, we were at odds for a long time. Then, I just let it go.

Q: While all of this was going on trouble was brewing between you and boyfriend James Orr. Why?

A: I saw a side of him that I'd never seen before. Almost a Jekyll and Hyde, I'm not used to someone just snapping.

Q: What about those reports that you stole Orr's friend's clothes?

A: Do I need somebody else's clothes? It all raised such a commotion. There were helicopters going over my house and journalists outside. To me, it was all ridiculous. I was very vulnerable and I was so taken aback when the police wanted to even talk to me about it.

Q: I think the incident fed into the stories that have followed you for years about taking things that don't belong to you, even shoplifting.

A: Yes! This all started when I came to L.A. I bought a pair of stockings and there was a run in them so I took them back and they wouldn't exchange them. It's different in Texas. They take things back and give you another pair. This lady at the store said, "No, you made the run in them," and I said, "Why would I bring them back if I did that?" I asked them to call the manager and they did. The manager refused to exchange them. I don't back down so I said, "Fine, I'm taking these," and I took a new pair and walked out. The next thing I know, some security person called the cops and took me in over a pair of stockings. [Laughs] It gets better. On the way to the station, the cop asked me out, even though he was wearing a wedding ring. I had to go to court and they asked, "Would you do it again?" and I said, "Absolutely." So, they put me on probation and said I had to have three visits with a psychiatrist. [Laughs] Can I go on the record with you to say I've never been to a psychiatrist other than those three visits?

Q: You just did. It must be difficult trying to figure out if people want to be with you or your fame.

A: Friends say, "Before you date this guy, you'd better do a background check. Ask for last year's tax returns." What? I'm going to ask this about a guy I'm dating? Now I do ask, "Are you involved? Arc you married?" Some of them say, "Sort of." I say, "This is a yes or no question." I was calking with this guy on the phone and when he gave me one of those answers, I said, "Oh, so you are when you want to be. Don't call me anymore, OK?"

Q: You're taking better precautions these days?

A: Yes, but it's not a fun way to do things. I like spontaneity, the infatuation. You know the fun part of the relationship. I like the beginnings, those first few months before you find our who they really are. The time before the "How dare you to have slept with someone in college" phase.

Q: Do you have problems reading men?

A: I've been involved with people who've done drugs and I haven't known because I've never seen them do them. I had an argument with this guy I was dating for a short time and I said, "That behavior is unacceptable," and he said, "Well, I've had 10 beers." I couldn't believe it. Oh, I'm getting sad just talking about this. It brings back bad memories. [Lets out a sob and takes moments to compose herself] I think it's because my mother always told me to look for die good in people. [Sobbing] When you do that, it's not realistic. See, I haven't really dated a lot. I went from Lee Majors to Ryan to going out with Jim [Orr]. It's hard to meet new people. When you get co where I am, it's even harder.

Q: How is it with you and Ryan O'Neal today?

A: He called me the other day during I forget what trauma and said, "Just forget what people say. They've been doing it to you for 20 years." Separating from each other was hand. We went through a couple of years when it was difficult for us to even speak. I thought I could make Ryan happy, to be on his level, I started to be more negative. You can't fix or change things. The press was always tough on us, especially on him. He's like a bear--he's gruff and brutally honest. I was attracted to that. The whole time we were together, there were stories about us fighting and being unfaithful. They'd say I was kissing a pro football player in Benedict Canyon, which really upset Ryan, I was so intent on disproving it that I cracked down the story and found that it was a green Rolls with the license plate "PRO." And I told the journalist, 'That's Ryan's car. Patrick Ryan O'Neal. It was Ryan I was kissing."

Q: A tabloid recently reported that you'd had major cosmetic surgery done. True?

A: Somebody faxed me that. It said I'd had chin implants or cheek implants, nose changed. I'm like, "Huh? When?" I don't chink I necessarily look better right now, so, OK, thank you. This all depends on how much weight I have on me. If my face is fuller, I look younger.

Q: Do you think your being such a big icon makes people feel they can say anything they want about you?

A: People have always been critical of the way I look. I remember going into the ladies' room at the Polo Lounge and being in one of the stalls and a woman said, "I don't think Farrah's hair looks good." Now I've gotten into the habit of saying, "I'm in here," because otherwise I have to stay in the stall until they leave.

Q: Does that hurt your confidence?

A: The only thing I'm confident of these days is my ability to act. That's completely the opposite of what used to be.

Q: When did people first notice you could act?

A: I can remember the exact day and moment. It was on The Burning Bed after a courtroom scene. Everyone on the whole set changed their attitude toward me. I still see that happen every time. Looking a certain way is a blessing and a curse. You don't get the roles. I could have done The Burning Bed or a role like that earlier in my career, but I never had the opportunity. When that project came along and I said I wanted to do it, the network people said, "Who wants to see Farrah Fawcett looking unattractive?"

Q: Were you ambitious back then?

A: Ryan says I'm the least ambitious actress he's ever met. Back then, I wouldn't read material in galleys or books and try to option it.

Q: How was it working with Richard Gere in Dr. T and the Women?

A: I met him sitting in my hairdresser's car in the early morning. I was getting a little sleep. Suddenly, knock-knock-knock. I look up--hair wet, no makeup, half-asleep--and it's Richard Gere. He was so gracious. Meeting him, I felt what some people must feel meeting me. He has the image of being extremely attractive and sexual--and he is very attractive--but very kind and wonderful to work with. I adore him.

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