James Cooper remembers Farrah Fawcett

Even if it was kind of expected, the death of Farrah Fawcett last Thursday (June 25) came as a shock to her fans around the world, as did that of Michael Jackson who was pronounced DOA (Dead On Arrival) only a few hours later at the same hospital in L.A.

Fawcett lost her long battle with anal cancer; she was 62. Jackson, fondly called Jacko, died of cardiac arrest; he was 50.

In life as in death, Jacko was a scene-stealer. Without his meaning to, his passing stole the thunder from Fawcett whose departure was relegated to the sideline. Well, not quite.

Nevertheless, fans continue to grieve for Fawcett in the same way that his own fans do for Jacko.

One of those hard hit by Fawcett’s death was James Cooper, the Filipino makeup/hair stylist who worked with and for Fawcett for three years in the early ’80s. It was James who helped “create” her makeup and hairdo in the iconic poster that shows Fawcett at her prime when she reigned supreme as one of TV’s hit series Charlie’s Angels (the two others were Jaclyn Smith and Kate Jackson). She later metamorphosed into a serious actress and she won praises for her portrayal of a battered wife in the TV movie Burning Bed.

“I knew that she was terminally ill and I continued to pray for her recovery,” said Cooper in an exclusive interview with Funfare Update. “I haven’t talked to her for years...since I came back from the US to put up my own shop here but I treasure beautiful memories with her,” added James who was trained in Hollywood (where he did the hair and makeup of other stars, including Cher).

“But every now and then when I’d be in the States, we would talk on the phone and exchange ‘Hi’s!’.”

James remembers Fawcett as “basically nice,” kind-hearted and very very simple.

“I never saw her throw any tantrum. Mabait siya talaga, tahimik lang while I did her makeup and fixed her hair. She did a lot of talking only when she had her long hair cut for the cover of the South African Vogue. It was the first time her famous hairdo was cut, kaya ini-explain niya ng maigi kung anong style ang gusto niya. That was the only time that she was madaldal.”

One of James’ unforgettable experiences with Fawcett was during the Halloween street party on West Hollywood.

“We were in way-out costumes and we just drove around. Ang saya-saya n’un! We were so happy. That’s why I really felt so bad when I learned that she had cancer. She was the last person na iisipin kong magkaka-cancer because she took good care of her health. Maingat sa pagkain ‘yan, kasi iniingatan ang figure niya.”

When he was in the States last month, James wanted to pay Fawcett a visit but he changed his mind at the last minute.

“I didn’t want to see her in the condition she was in,” said James. “I’d rather remember her as the ravishing beauty in that famous poster.”

But James was among those close Fawcett interviewed for a TV documentary chronicling milestones in her life, including her brave battle with cancer that prompted her to seek radical treatment in Germany. Days before her death, there was an announcement that she was getting married to her long-time partner Ryan O’Neal, himself a cancer (leukemia) survivor, who kept Fawcett company even when they were estranged. In the docu, Fawcett talked about her illness and how she was trying to beat it in her desire to inspire those in the same situation.

“Farrah’s being sick made me realize that life is beautiful...that I should continue with my work and be thankful to God for giving me this talent.”

By coincidence, James opened his newest salon (on Timog Avenue corner Scout Santiago, Quezon City) last Thursday, the same day Fawcett died.

“Her death marked a new life for me,” sighed James.

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