The original stars of "Charlie's Angels" — Kate Jackson, Jaclyn Smith, and Cheryl Ladd — reunited at the 2026 Emmy Awards to celebrate the show's 50th anniversary and pay tribute to their late castmate, Farrah Fawcett.
"I would like to acknowledge someone not standing with us tonight, and that’s my friend Farrah Fawcett," Smith said during the ceremony. "She is here with us in everyone’s collective memory."
Jackson, 77, described Fawcett, who died of cancer in 2009 at age 62, as "the shiniest angel of all." Ladd, 75, added that Fawcett's "iconic poster" remains memorable.
The actresses, with Smith and Jackson being part of the original trio alongside Fawcett when the show premiered in 1976, were joined by Ladd, who replaced Fawcett after the first season. "Charlie's Angels" ran for five seasons, concluding in June 1981. The series centered on three private detectives who solved crimes under the direction of their unseen boss, Charlie, who communicated with them via speakerphone.
Smith, 80, recently released a memoir, "I Once Knew a Guy Named Charlie," which delves into behind-the-scenes details of the Aaron Spelling-produced series. In the book, Smith described Jackson as a "complex person" whose anger could sometimes surface on set. She recalled an incident where Jackson drove her motor home in circles around the lot after a perceived slight, with Smith as a passenger.
Smith also wrote about Jackson's feelings of resentment regarding the show's extensive merchandising, from which the actresses reportedly saw no profit. Jackson had previously expressed her frustration, stating that while others profited, the stars did not.
According to Smith's memoir, Jackson also had difficulty accepting Ladd when she joined the cast. Smith felt caught in the middle, suggesting that Jackson may have missed Fawcett and felt no one could replace her.