 THERE
IS MORE TO THEM THAN MEETS THE EYE!
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 Whether
it's an "angel" like Farrah or Cheryl... or someone
not quite so "angelic" like Cher... 0f all of these
ladies have at least as much brawn as beauty-not to mention,
brains! |
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When
'he show was number three in the ratings, I figured it was our
acting. When we got to be Number One-I decided it could only be
because none of us wears a bra!" |
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While
loyal fans may want to argue the point with her, Farrah
Fawcett-Majors was evidently summarizing her own theory on why
Charlie's Angels was ABC's undisputed triumph of last year's
television season. |
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The
trio of female detectives who headed the smash-hit when it
debuted are Farrah, Jaclyn, and Kate. All three ladies are
lovely and pleasing to the eye which gives credence to the
speculation that beauty is indeed a prime prerequisite, for
television. Yet, in all fairness, all of the ladies on
television today who can boast successful and Nielsen supported
series have definitely far more to offer than simple beauty. |
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There
is no denying there seems to be an "unspoken
agreement" between producers and viewers that beautiful
women are much more pleasant viewing than an individual
not-so-" blessed." One glance at the list of top-rated
shows reveals that the female stars on each show are' pretty
enough to have modeled-and many have. But a deeper look at each
of these actresses also uncovers particular traits that are not
readily seen with a surface skimming... |
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Kate
Jackson, the almond-eyed "Sabrina" of Charlie's
Angels, is also recognized as one of "the most
intellectual" actresses of Hollywood's up-and-coming
generation. Kate, one of the primary inspirations for the
series, was under contract to Spelling-Goldberg Productions for
The Rookies. When her role as "Jill Danko" ended on
that show, Kate was promised another series of her own. |
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Being
a well-read individual, Kate also happens to be a person who
doesn't necessarily wait for opportunity to knock-she makes it.
It is not generally known, but it was Kate who originally came
up with the idea of having three glamorous detectives who worked
for a suave and never-seen gentleman named "Charlie."
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Had
it not been for Kate's own determination to forge ahead with her
career, television may never have met the Angels. "We were
completely taken by surprise by (ABC's) Fred Silverman's instant
acceptance of Kate," says Aaron Spelling. "Things
usually don't go that fast in TV. We had a second brunette in
mind, Jaclyn Smith, but we also figured we'd better throw a
blonde at Fred, for contrast. |
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"I
knew Farrah from when I double-dated with her and Lee Majors.
Len (Goldberg) knew her from when he was the head of production
at Screen Gems. We put our heads together and tentatively said
to Silverman: 'How about Farrah Fawcett? 'Once again, he amazed
us by saying: 'Great. Who's next?' " |
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Why
Spelling and Goldberg may have been surprised at the quick
acceptance of their chosen actresses can't be easily explained
other than television is notorious for its endless red-tape
procedures when casting a show. |
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But
then, Jaclyn Smith-the second brunette beauty-is no stranger to
"casting procedures." A soft-spoken lady with big,
brown eyes, Jaclyn epitomizes a Southern Belle in her appearance
which made her one of the nation's top models. But the
appearance can be misleading if a person suspects Jaclyn to be a
shallow individual lacking direction. Far from it... |
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When
Jaclyn was offered the role of "Kelly," she was one of
the most successful models in the industry. Many of her friends
and business associates warned her not to jeopardize a lucrative
career by gambling on a television series, particularly since it
was virtually her acting debut. But Jaclyn, despite the fact
that she looks like the type to be pampered, is hardly one to
rest on past accomplishments. |
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"I
had reached a point in my life where I was seeking something
more fulfilling and demanding of myself," says Jackie of
her decision. "I have a certain amount of ambition and I
wanted to take the next step to prove to myself I could do
something more creative and artistic than commercials." |
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Of
the three original "Angels," the sole blonde-and the
undeniable phenomenon-of the series was, of course, Farrah. |
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In
spite of that fact that Fawcett was deeply involved in a
contractual dispute with the show, Farrah is well aware of what
Charlie's Angels did for her career. And, yet, considering the
tremendous upsurge her life has taken professionally, Farrah
continues to be much the same person off-camera. |
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"It's
been very easy out here for me," says Farrah, "because
of Lee. He is always there when I need him. He helps me with the
decisions and he has made sure I Wasn't being led astray. |
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"I
know what a terrible place Hollywood can be-if you let it. If I
didn't want to do a part-if I didn't want to take off my
clothes-I didn't have to because I had someone to lean on. I
mean, these are my convictions and they would have been mine
with or without Lee. But it sure makes it easier with him being
there." |
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One
reporter, after meeting Farrah, described Hollywood's current
Glamour Queen: "She is what she appears to be-a very nice
human being living the good life with her husband. Mostly, it
has to do with her ingrained belief in home and hearth ... in
togetherness." |
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The
newest "angel," Cheryl Ladd, is also a firm believer
in having a solid family life. Married for four years to actor
David Ladd, Cheryl was confronted with the biggest decision of
her life when she was offered the role of "Kris
Munroe." |
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"Cheryl
thought about it for some time before she accepted it,"
admits David. "Mostly, the baby (two-year old daughter,
Jordan) was the consideration. However, Spelling Goldberg are an
exceptional company. They provide creature comforts that will
allow Cheryl to have Jordan with her a great deal of the time.
We feel like we're in this together." |
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Although
Cheryl has been consistently active since she moved to Hollywood
from South Dakota, she has never relinquished her desire for a
family in exchange for the often-grueling demands of a career.
When there is a choice to be made, invariably David and Jordan
will always come first. |
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"She
has worked hard for this break," says Mrs. Sue Ladd,
Cheryl's mother-in-law. "And I know she will be a great
success-it couldn't happen to a sweeter child." |
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Another
"sweet child"-at least to those of her fans who are
older than she-also happens to be a star of her own series ...
seventeen-year-old Marie Osmond. Aside from being a beauty and
the only daughter among eight sons, Marie stuns most people who
meet her with her level-headed approach towards life:
"Honesty and the need for self-improvement have always been
unwritten laws in my family," Marie admits candidly. Since
her performing debut in Las Vegas four years ago, Marie has
achieved a level of success that many people male or female,
twice her age-still fantasize about. However, none of the
trappings of that success ' has affected the devout Mormon girl
whose brothers happened to be entertainers of the highest
caliber when she was a toddler. |
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"No
two of my brothers are alike," she laughs easily. "I
have a different relationship with each one. It's as though I
have a brother for every mood. And, with eight of them, I guess
you could say I have clear insights on the opposite sex. I
understand their moods ... the things that please them. It's
good preparation for finding a husband too, which is important
to me because I think being a wife and mother is more important
than being an entertainer for the rest of my life. I want a big
family just like my mother's. It won't be any problem for me to
settle down some day because I've had so many terrific
experiences, I won't feel I've missed anything." |
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Another
Beautiful Person of television who relies on her inner beliefs
to counter the tremendous pressures which can accompany being a
celebrated beauty is Lynda Carter, TV's Wonder Woman. |
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"I
suppose it sounds-all of it very serious and sober and
heavy," Lynda says, "but the truth is that the
spiritual side of your nature holds more fun and beauty and
light than you can imagine. It doesn't drag you down-it uplifts
you! In my work, I hope to act as a catalyst for other people to
find what I've found. |
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"I
have this 'gift' that I really can't explain. When somebody
needs advice, I am able to say the right thing-but it's not
really me that's talking! I hear the words coming out of my
mouth, yet I don't remember what I said afterward. It's not
clairvoyance, but a truly spiritual thing." |
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Since
Lynda's blue-green eyes, her dark brunette beauty, and her
statuesque figure would make her a prime candidate for one to
rely solely on her physical attributes, many people are
surprised to learn that she has been tested to have a
"borderline 10 of genius." |
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Carter's
reliance on her inner beliefs also accounts for her friendship
with TV's other superheroine, Lindsay Wagner. Also, they share
the same manager-Lynda's husband of less than a year, Ron
Samuels. |
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"I've
never been a very rigid person in my thoughts about what can
happen-and what cannot happen. If anything, my strongest belief
is that almost anything can happen. I try to keep a certain form
of objectivity in my life through meditation," Lindsay
says. "It reminds you that while you are in the limelight
right now, it may only be for right now. The important thing to
remember is that it's a career-it's not your life! |
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"I
don't rule out the possibility of an after-life or
reincarnation, either. Metaphysics interests me a lot. A few
years ago I took a course at the Arica Institute in New York and
I'm indebted to it. Their ultimate goal is to help one handle
problems. I've learned how to take a good inward look and to see
with perspective what traits and habits I had acquired that were
retarding my development. It stresses meditation and bringing
your life into balance when things get 'rocky'." |
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Since
Lindsay portrays a super being half-human, half-mechanical on
The Bionic Woman and is obviously a stunning lady to look at
(she was earning $50 an hour as a model when she was only
thirteen), many Hollywood citizens are impressed with her
undeterred efforts to flex her "mental" muscles as
well. In Lindsay's and Lynda's cases, their images of being 11
powerful" and "beautiful" hasn't blinded them
from their own needs as individuals. Individuality is likewise a
prime essential to blonde Suzanne Somers, one of the newest
leading ladies on the mini-screen in Three's Company. "I
firmly believe you can do anything you want to do if you 'plant
the seed,' " she declares. |
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"There's
an area in our subconscious that responds to our dreams and
desires if we sincerely direct our energies to it. I decided to
become an actress because it looked like fun and I enjoyed the
fact that acting entertained people ... made them happy... |
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"I
always want to play down the celebrity or beautiful-glamorous.
aspect of acting and concentrate on those parts of my
personality that people can relate to. I'm not afraid to show
people that I'm as vulnerable insensitive as they are." |
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Vulnerability
and sensitivity are two traits which Suzanne and Cher Bono,
Allman could discuss for hours on end-if either had the time
from heir fast-paced careers to enjoy the luxury of 6
coffee-klatsch. |
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Perhaps
of all the celebrated beauties of television, Cher is the one
who has had to virtually remind her public that she is, indeed,
more than just a "glorified clotheshorse." |
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And,
despite having the ability to look chic in funky jeans or
couturier gowns, Cher cannot be dismissed as some "mindless
mannequin." If for no other reason than the fact that Cher
has been honest with the soap opera circumstances her personal
life has taken in recent years, neither fan nor critic can ever
accuse TV's "Dark Lady" of every running from life.
"I know me," she told a reporter recently. "I'm
so worried about my sensitivity that sometimes I may be
insensitive to other people's sensitivity. I was really
insensitive to Sonny's hurt feelings when I first left him and
it was really wrong of me. |
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"But,
for a long time, I had had feelings that I didn't understand. I
kept thinking: 'How can something that makes me feel good be
bad? It just can't. 'So, now, whatever I am doing, I know it's
right. I might not go about it the right way, but I've got to
travel this road-my road." |
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Considering
the rocky on-and-off marriage she and Gregg Allman have, Cher
has often gambled on being the brunt of many "jokes."
And, yet, when she could easily rely on a massive network of
publicists to "cover up" her mistakes, she doesn't. |
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Cher
relies on her self-not on her beauty ... her power ... her
success. She's even admitted: "My life is so filled with
twists and turns that you can never tell what tomorrow will
bring." But it's doubtful that Cher whatever the
circumstances-will ever shift the responsibility of her actions
to others. That would, in her eyes, reduce her sensitivity as a
person and as she is the first to admit: "I know now that I
don't have to be perfect, I don't feel the tremendous insecurity
I used to feel before." |
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In
short, each of the women mentioned above are not perfect
undeniable beauties, yes, but none will ever claim to have
reached the status of perfection their public would often like
to give them. |
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Whether
it is sheer determination to carve out a career for herself in a
business generally acknowledged as "male territory"-
such as Kate or Jaclyn-or reliance on the firm foundation of
their families-such as Farrah, Cheryl, and Marie-or finding
strength in inner or spiritual beliefs-such as Lindsay, Suzanne
and Lynda-or even in putting all her cards on the table, to be
accepted or rejected for herself-as Cher does none of these
remarkable ladies can ever be accused of being "superficial
beauties." |
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In
each case, a distinct individual is behind that face and it is,
as in beauty, up to the beholder to discover her for her true
self! |
