In 1967, television underwent a significant transformation with the arrival of Charlie’s Angels.
The series not only provided entertainment but also redefined the standards for female heroes.
Farrah Fawcett, Kate Jackson, and Jaclyn Smith were not merely solving crimes; they were shattering stereotypes, demonstrating that women could be intelligent, powerful, and effortlessly fashionable all at the same time.
Charlie’s Angels transcended thrilling mysteries and adventurous plots. Farrah, Kate, and Jaclyn emerged as symbols of empowerment, motivating an entire generation to reconsider women’s roles, both in front of and behind the camera.
And we can’t overlook the fashion — those stylish outfits were more than just costumes; they made a statement, shaping trends and influencing pop culture in ways that were unexpected.
Even with mixed reviews from critics and a label of being merely “jiggle television” that emphasized the allure of its female stars, Charlie’s Angels still climbed into the Nielsen top ten during its initial two seasons.
While I’ve mostly watched reruns of this iconic show over the years, I recently decided to explore further and discover what truly happened behind the scenes of this beloved classic. And let me tell you — it turns out there are a ton of funny bloopers, unexpected moments, and astonishing stories that you probably never knew existed.
A drinking issue and some sleepwear
For those who might have overlooked this cult classic, here’s a brief summary: Charlie’s Angels showcases the crime-fighting escapades of three women employed at a private detective agency in sunny Los Angeles. The original trio — Kate Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, and Jaclyn Smith — starred in the show, while the voice of their enigmatic boss, Charlie Townsend, was heard through a speakerphone, directing their missions.
Now, here’s an interesting behind-the-scenes fact about Charlie himself. John Forsythe wasn’t the initial choice to voice the boss. The first actor, Gig Young, was let go at the last moment due to a drinking issue. Forsythe took over and ended up recording his first voice-over while wearing his pajamas.
John Forsythe in 1994 / Getty Images
Throughout the whole series, Forsythe never actually appeared on set. All of his lines were recorded separately and later dubbed in. He even informed the show’s producer, Aaron Spelling, that if he were to be on screen, it would be extremely expensive. To maintain the illusion, whenever Charlie was ‘visible,’ it was merely a stand-in shot from behind or from a distance.
Same cars, wrong angels
Here’s a blooper you might have overlooked, even if you’ve watched Charlie’s Angels countless times. Each time a new scene begins at the Townsend Agency, they display the same shot of the building with the Angels’ cars parked outside. However—if you’re observant—the cars outside seldom correspond to which Angels are actually inside in the following scene.
And here’s the twist: whenever all three cars are shown, they’re nearly always parked in the same left-to-right sequence — white, yellow, and orange. Consistency, right? Well… not exactly. The white and orange cars are consistently parked in red zones (aka no-parking areas), and there’s only one parking meter for all three spots. So either the Angels had some serious VIP connections, or the parking department simply turned a blind eye for crime-fighting fashionistas.
Oh, and in case you were curious about those chic rides? Each Angel had her own distinctive Ford. Jill (and later Kris) drove around in a flashy Cobra, Kelly kept it cool in a Mustang, and Sabrina owned a Pinto like the boss she was. And let’s not forget Bosley — he naturally rolled up in a Thunderbird.
How much did they earn per episode?
When Charlie’s Angels first premiered, Farrah Fawcett and Jaclyn Smith were newcomers to the acting world — and their salaries reflected that. Both were earning just $5,000 per episode. Meanwhile, Kate Jackson, the experienced veteran of the trio, was making double that at $10,000.
But things evolved — especially for Jaclyn Smith.
Getty Images
As the sole Angel to remain with the show throughout all five seasons, Smith’s salary increased in tandem with the show’s rising popularity. By the time the final season premiered, she was making an astonishing $75,000 per episode, placing her among the highest-paid television stars of that era.
Only four prominent figures earned more than she did: Carroll O’Connor (All in the Family), Alan Alda (MASH*), Larry Hagman, and Linda Gray (both known for Dallas).
From Alley Cats to Charlie’s Angels
Believe it or not, the iconic show Charlie’s Angels nearly had a very different and rather awkward title: Alley Cats. Yes, that was the original name being considered, despite having nothing to do with the fashionable, crime-fighting women at the center of the series. And let’s be honest… the title didn’t exactly convey “classy detectives.”
Fortunately, Kate Jackson intervened. While in Aaron Spelling’s office, she spotted a painting of three angels on the wall. That’s when inspiration struck — and she proposed the name Charlie’s Angels instead.
The rest? A complete chapter in television history.
Thanks to that moment, the show became a pop culture phenomenon, creating a legacy that continues today through reruns, DVD collections, reboots, and a full-fledged film franchise that began in 2000.
Why Farrah Fawcett really walked away
When Charlie’s Angels first debuted in 1976, Farrah Fawcett wasn’t just one of the stars — she was a sensation. Her iconic red swimsuit poster was everywhere, and her feathered blonde hair became the hairstyle of the decade. Fans were captivated. The media was relentless. But then, just one season in, she stunned everyone: Farrah was finished.
So why did Farrah Fawcett depart from one of the biggest shows on television? The answer is multifaceted — involving money, marriage, ambition, and a profound desire for more than just fame.
When you view photos from the set with all the Angels together, they often seem joyful and bright — but behind the scenes, the reality was certainly more complex.
Farrah’s unexpected rise to fame outshone her former co-stars Kate Jackson and Jaclyn Smith. As reported by the Washington Post, she was poised for a salary increase to $10,000 per episode, but there were whispers that she was aiming for $75,000. Additionally, she allegedly requested 10% of the merchandising profits from the show. However, the producers were not receiving any clear indications from her.
Producer Leonard Goldberg recounted to Vanity Fair, “I would say, ‘Well, Farrah, if we give you eight percent?’ and she would respond, ‘Well, no, I don’t know.’” It appeared that she was not interested in negotiating at all.
The true challenge Farrah encountered
In reality, Farrah was aspiring for something beyond just a television salary. In early 1977, she expressed to the Washington Post her desire to create a film that captured “real woman’s emotions.” Her co-star Jaclyn Smith later affirmed that Farrah “wanted to do features instead of a series.”
Farrah and her then-husband, Lee Majors, even established their own production company named Fawcett-Majors Productions. The producers of the show attempted to persuade her to remain by offering a deal: continue with Angels, and they would also cast her in a feature film. She declined.
Farrah felt artistically confined. While the series was celebrated for its glamour and action, she yearned to portray more complexity — more sorrow, more emotion.
“I want them to start showing she’s had some hard knocks, too, and cries, and is sad,” she shared with The Washington Post. “Who’s gonna care about her if all she does is say, ‘Ooo! This week I get to play the hooker?’”
Jacyn Smith, Kate Jackson, and Farrah Fawcett / Getty Images
She even acknowledged that the show’s success likely had little to do with acting. “When the show reached No. 3, I thought it was our acting. But when it hit No. 1, I realized it must be because none of us wears a bra.”
Ultimately, she was very candid: “Creatively, I just felt stifled. So, it was time for me to go.”
“I felt uneasy when suddenly I received more attention and fan mail than Jaclyn Smith or Kate Jackson,” she shared with People in 1981. “I sensed a change in them, not outwardly, but internally. We never had any disputes, but I felt a slight barrier.”
Wherever she went, fans flocked to her. Her fame became overwhelming. “I achieved success before I was prepared for it or understood what I was doing,” she confessed. “The success arrived before I had accomplished what I considered a worthy role.”
She was certain of one thing: “If I wanted to remain in the industry, I had to evolve — and I was eager to evolve.”
Behind the lawsuit
Farrah’s departure was anything but smooth. Jaclyn Smith openly criticized her decision to leave, stating, “I didn’t think it was the right thing to do. I mean, you have a contract.” However, Farrah stood her ground, asserting: “It’s a well-generated myth that I was violating a contract.”
Nevertheless, lawsuits ensued. The producers took legal action against her for breach of contract, igniting a tense legal confrontation.
This legal struggle eventually concluded when Farrah Fawcett agreed to make six guest appearances for the remainder of Charlie’s Angels, which continued to air until 1981. However, her choice to leave the show came with significant repercussions for her career. Fawcett noted that her decision to walk away resulted in being excluded from other opportunities in Hollywood.
”The whole lawsuit almost sank me,” she confessed in a 1979 interview with People.
”The industry was furious with me and hostile because I was a TV sex symbol who wanted to be an actress. People thought I was really pretentious, and for months no one would touch me.”
Cheryl Ladd’s bold welcome
Following Farrah Fawcett’s exit after the first season, Cheryl Ladd stepped in, infusing her own energy and charm into the show. She joined as Kris Munroe, the sister of Farrah’s character.
On her very first day on set, Cheryl Ladd broke the ice by donning a custom T-shirt that read “Farrah Fawcett Minor” — a playful nod to the big shoes she had to fill.
Cheryl Ladd / Getty Images
In a similar vein, when Kirstie Alley became part of the Cheers cast, she made a striking impression by donning a vibrant pink power suit, complete with a large blonde wig reminiscent of Shelley Long, and playfully adopting a prim and proper demeanor. Her lively approach quickly charmed the cast and crew, making her an instant favorite from the very first day.
The legacy
The initial seasons of the show were incredibly successful, ranking among the top 10 most-viewed programs. However, as the 1980s approached, Charlie’s Angels began to focus more on glamour rather than substance, leading to a decline in viewership. The series finale, “Let Our Angel Live,” marked the end of a groundbreaking era.
Nevertheless, the legacy continued to thrive. The story was brought back to life with a bang on the big screen, starring Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore, and Lucy Liu — contemporary Angels who carried the legacy forward with more intense action and a fresh cultural perspective.
The 2011 reboot aimed to recapture the original magic but stumbled, concluding after only seven episodes. Then in 2019, Kristen Stewart, Ella Balinska, and Naomi Scott stepped into the roles, yet the series found it hard to appeal to both old and new fans.
Despite its ups and downs, Charlie’s Angels continues to be a strong symbol of female empowerment and independence.
It broke stereotypes, paved the way for women in action roles, and demonstrated that femininity and strength can coexist. For many viewers, the Angels were more than just characters on television — they were pioneers, role models, and evidence that women could shine in a world that was just starting to acknowledge their strength.
The original Charlie’s Angels Stars
The original lineup of Charlie’s Angels from the 1970s won the hearts of audiences worldwide and created a lasting impact in television history.
Here’s a brief overview of what happened to the legendary Angels:
Kate Jackson (born October 29, 1948) — Still going strong, Kate is fondly remembered for her portrayal of Sabrina Duncan, the intelligent and resilient leader of the Angels.
Farrah Fawcett (February 2, 1947 – June 25, 2009) — Unfortunately, Farrah left us at the age of 62 after a courageous fight against anal cancer. She is cherished as one of the most adored Angels, known for her legendary hairstyle and captivating personality.
Jaclyn Smith (born October 26, 1945) — Jaclyn, the sole Angel to feature in all 110 episodes, is alive and flourishing. She broke new ground for female leads in television with her character Kelly Garrett.
Cheryl Ladd (born July 12, 1951) — The actress who took over Farrah Fawcett’s role as Kris Munroe is also alive and thriving, remaining active in both acting and music.
Shelley Hack (born July 6, 1947) — Shelley joined the cast in season 4 and is enjoying a vibrant life as an actress and producer.
Tanya Roberts (October 15, 1949 – January 4, 2021) — Tanya passed away at the age of 71 due to complications from a urinary tract infection, tragically just after being mistakenly reported dead.
If you grew up adoring Charlie’s Angels or simply wish to celebrate their legacy, share this tribute and help keep their spirit alive!
