GEORGE WAYNE Q & A

Farrah Fawcett's wild ride

It's a busy season for Farrah Fawcett: this month she's appearing in Dr. T and the Women with Richard Gere and a TNT movie, Baby, and she recently completed a CBS made-for-TV period movie, Jewel. She stops long enough to talk to our correspondent about the pain of tabloid rumors, that infamous Letterman appearance, and the red bathing suit that made her an icon.

George Wayne:Has it become more difficult for you to deal with the attention of late? Especially the last four years, which have not been the greatest.

Farrah Fawcett: I think, looking back at it now, it was more difficult than I allowed myself to feel. One thing that helped me, that I learned long ago to follow, is that you can't believe everything they write about you, and you can't think that everybody else believes it, or you will be devastated. It's bad enough to have to deal with making your parents comfortable with ludicrous things written about you. A long time ago I learned not to place so much importance on the bad—it causes you to not place much importance on the good.

G.W.So you would say that your behavior has not been strange at all?

F.F. No, I wouldn't say that, but my press has been stranger. I think I always act a little strange. I am more outspoken; I think I take a lot of risks. But do I think my behavior is bizarre, extreme, or strange to the point of harming myself or others? Absolutely not.

G.W.What's your relationship with your family? Your parents in Texas can't help but read the stories about Farrah being a druggie.

F.F. Sometimes they get a call, and my father will pick up the phone, and they'll say, "Did you know your daughter has gone into a drug rehab?" And my dad would say no. And they'd say, "Yes, she had to be admitted because she tried to slit her wrists." And the thing is, I would be standing next to him. I've never been in drug rehab!

G.W.Have you ever done drugs?

F.F. No. I am not a druggie. When I hear stories that I've been seen sitting in a parking lot doing crack cocaine—I don't even know what crack cocaine is. I don't even know what methamphetamine is. I wouldn't know heroin if I saw it. I know what cocaine looks like, and I certainly know what marijuana is, but I don't even know what ecstasy is.

G.W.What's the acting role you're most proud of to date?

F.F. I want to say The Burning Bed, because it was such a turning point in my life. Before that it was very difficult for me to get serious roles. I was sort of boxed in by my looks and previous choices and roles.

G.W.The role for which you will be most remembered is as Jill Munroe on Charlie's Angels. You were on the show for one year, but of all Charlie's Angels, Farrah is still the one.

F.F. That's right, everyone says that. I don't know if it was because that was around the time my poster came out, and there was such an impact with the poster. And then there was my hair, and that affected so much culturally.

G.W.That red bathing suit—did you know that one Web site called it "the poster that stained a thousand sheets"?

F.F. I remember when I was first asked that question about that poster—"You know how many people have masturbated to that?" And I went, "No, it never occurred to me."

G.W.Where is that red bathing suit?

F.F. It's here. My assistant found it in the attic when I had to move because the earthquake destroyed my house. We've been talking to the Smithsonian, and they asked the very same question because they want it.

G.W.Surely one of your greatest achievements is becoming a mother at 37. What is your relationship with Ryan O'Neal, your son's father?

F.F. With Ryan it has come to a very good place, where we are able to realize the importance of what we did, have been, and are.

G.W.I'm sure Lee Majors will never forgive himself for introducing you to Ryan.

F.F. Oh, I don't know, he may be happy he did.

G.W.What about that infamous appearance on David Letterman?

F.F. I was talking about that the other day, because I'm going to be on in October again.

G.W.You mean you're going back for more of that torture?

F.F. I don't find it torture. The only thing I was really guilty of was being extremely fatigued. I was trying to be a bit silly. I think what I'm guilty of is maybe being a bad talk-show guest.

G.W.Thanks, Farrah. Stay fabulous.