Hollywood survival stories are always compelling, and Morgan Fairchild’s is no exception. Despite the types of roles she played, which might have led to her being forgotten over time, she has defied expectations. Fairchild’s portrayal of a glamorous, ruthless figure often led people to believe she was just like her on-screen persona.
In a 1982 interview with The San Francisco Examiner, she noted, “A bitch is what people think I am, in real life and on the screen,” referring to her on-screen image as a determined sex symbol. However, this description doesn’t quite fit the real Morgan Fairchild, who turned her fierce determination into a successful TV career in the 1970s and 1980s, and has continued to thrive on stage and screen since.
Fairchild has explained her longevity by staying relevant to new audiences. As she put it in an interview with the Santa Cruz Sentinel, “You have to keep reintroducing yourself to the audience… Every five years, there’s a new generation that starts paying attention.” Her ability to connect with new audiences has kept her career vibrant.
Born Patsy Ann McClenny on February 3, 1950, in Dallas, Texas, Fairchild overcame severe shyness in childhood through drama classes and theater work. She began her Hollywood career as a body double for Faye Dunaway in 1967’s Bonnie and Clyde, and even caught the attention of the film’s star, Warren Beatty, who was known for his outrageous behavior but was reportedly very kind to her.
#1.
In 1967, Morgan Fairchild married Jack Calmes, an inventor, executive, and musician. However, the marriage ended in divorce in 1973. Reflecting on the relationship in a 1982 interview with The San Francisco Examiner, Fairchild described it as “rotten.”
She noted they were too young, had no money, and no children, despite her desire for them. She also mentioned that her career stagnated during the marriage, which was especially disheartening given her earlier role in Bonnie and Clyde during her high school years.
#2.
When her marriage ended, Morgan Fairchild was just 23. Determined to make a name for herself in acting, she moved to New York with a resolute attitude, unwilling to let anything stand in her way. Perhaps that earlier image of her “clawing her way to the top” wasn’t so far off after all.
It didn’t take long for her to land a role as Jennifer Pace on the daytime soap opera Search for Tomorrow, where she appeared from 1973 to 1977. During those years, she spent around eight hours a day immersed in dramatic scenes.
#3.
In a 1975 interview with the Democrat and Chronicle, Morgan Fairchild reflected on her character’s tumultuous journey, saying:
“My mother died, I had a terrible relationship with my father, committed a murder, went to prison, broke up a marriage, and lost a baby. Then I had a dramatic fight with my husband and went through a plate glass window, which left a terrible scar on my face.”
#4.
She wasn’t complaining, though. “It’s good experience to do a new show every day,” she noted.
“Once you’ve done a soap opera, nothing scares you. And I don’t know many actors who can turn away from steady work. I don’t view soap operas as an art form; I see them as entertainment. It’s like watching a great Garbo film. You live through the experience vicariously and cry your heart out. When you leave the theater, you’re okay, but she’s dead.”
#5.
Morgan Fairchild is a student of Eastern Philosophy and has also delved into martial arts. Her interest in martial arts was sparked by the opening fight scene in Bruce Lee’s Enter the Dragon.
“The fusion of body and mind to create such powerful yet graceful movements really knocked me out,” she told The Times of San Mateo, California in 1975. After completing an out-of-town engagement and starting work in New York City, she began searching for a reputable martial arts school to pursue her newfound passion.
#6.
Despite not being naturally athletic, Morgan Fairchild found herself using muscles she had never used before, even though she had studied dancing.
“I literally had to be carried out of the school after my first lesson, my leg muscles were so sore,” she recalled. However, she found that kung fu gave her a significant boost in confidence, both in her acting and in everyday life.
“New York can batter you down, but kung fu has given me a new sense of confidence,” she explained. “Problems don’t overwhelm me, and I’m not bothered by what people say. I don’t feel the need to prove anything to anyone or to myself because I now have greater confidence in my abilities.”
#7.
Throughout the 1970s, Morgan Fairchild made guest appearances on a range of shows, often portraying variations of the “rich bitch” or vixen. Her TV credits from this era include Switch, Happy Days, The Bob Newhart Show, Barnaby Jones, Dallas, Mork & Mindy, and The Love Boat.
She also starred in TV movies such as The Initiation of Sarah (1978), Murder in Music City (1979), and The Memory of Eva Ryker (1980). From 1980 to 1982, Fairchild took on a leading role as Constance Carlyle in the prime time soap opera Flamingo Road.
#8.
With her role on Flamingo Road, Morgan Fairchild found herself repeatedly cast as the perennial “bitch.” In a 1982 interview with The San Francisco Examiner, she reflected on this typecasting:
“People’s minds are made up about me before they even meet me. Look at the women I play: Jennifer Pace Philips on the soap and Constance Carlyle in Flamingo Road. Both are real bitches—family-breakers, rotten, mean, small, and stinking. It’s a compliment to my acting that viewers naturally take me at face value. But maybe deep down, I am like my characters.”
#9.
It was a striking moment of self-reflection, though Morgan Fairchild insisted she had always known what she wanted and had pursued it relentlessly. “I want to be at the top now and I deserve to be at the top,” she declared.
“I’ve got the looks, the talent, and the drive. The beautiful people are making a comeback, aren’t they? That’s what I’ve been told. So, if the beautiful people are returning and those who have been in the spotlight for the past decade are fading, then how could someone like me possibly miss out?”
#10.
In the same interview, Morgan Fairchild expressed her ambition to see her name at the top of movie theater marquees worldwide. She believed that once her name became more prominent and she proved herself to be a box office draw, this goal would be within reach.
“The only way to get these stupid sons of bitches around Hollywood to give you a big movie part is to have a household name,” she said.
“What I’m attempting to do with Connie is make her big, mean as hell, and unforgettable, so that the next time anyone needs a ‘bitch’ of a leading lady in a big-budget film, they’ll think of me.”
Unfortunately, despite her efforts, Falcon Crest was canceled after just two seasons.
#11.
In 1982, Morgan Fairchild starred in the Hollywood film The Seduction, where she played a TV reporter who becomes the target of a dangerous stalker, portrayed by Andrew Stevens.
The film was poorly received by critics, who particularly panned a scene in which Fairchild’s character, aware of being stalked, chooses to go skinny-dipping in her pool—an action that, inevitably, is witnessed by the stalker.
#12.
By the 1980s, Morgan Fairchild grew increasingly frustrated with being marketed as a sex symbol through provocative posters and imagery. In an interview with the Poughkeepsie Journal, she explained:
“I’ve been acting for 20 years. That ‘poster girl business’ was all about the media. I did a poster once because they offered a lot of money and had already taken pictures of me in some old bathing suit. When they wanted to do another poster, I refused because I wanted to focus on feature films. Yes, I’ve taken some less desirable roles along the way, but it’s better than working on the side.”
She continued, “This is the same body, the same breasts, the same bottom I’ve always had, but suddenly I’m labeled a sex symbol. What can you do? You just don’t take it seriously. There’s no one’s opinion of me—man, woman, or child—that I value more than my own.”
#13.
While Morgan Fairchild may not have reached her goal of seeing her name in lights on marquees around the world, she has remained a prominent and active actress. Since 1985, she has appeared in about 50 films, from Pee-wee’s Big Adventure to All Good Things in 2018. She has also featured in 20 TV movies, spanning from Honeyboy (1982) to A Date Before Christmas Eve (2019).
In addition to her film and TV movie work, Fairchild has made notable appearances in TV miniseries such as North and South, and has had recurring roles on shows like Roseanne, Cybill, and Friends (as Chandler’s mother, Nora Tyler Bing). She also made brief returns to daytime soaps with The Bold and the Beautiful and Days of Our Lives.
Fairchild continued to showcase her talent in various series after Flamingo Road, including Paper Dolls (1984), Falcon Crest (1985–1986), and Fashion House (2006). Her enduring presence in the industry highlights her versatility and dedication as an actress.
#14.
As a testament to her enduring career, Morgan Fairchild is currently starring on Melange, a campy homage to soap operas airing on LogoTV’s digital platforms. The show is described by the network as:
“After the owner of the historic gay bar Melange mysteriously and suddenly dies, his younger protégé and estranged ex-wife battle for control of the legendary bar. As the stakes rise and tensions mount, Melange becomes infested with betrayal, corruption, and revenge.” In this intriguing drama, Morgan plays the role of Vivian King Winchester.
#15.
In a recent exclusive interview with Closer Weekly, Morgan Fairchild shared insights into the filming of Melange. “We shot everything on location in New York, and the club was a real, functioning venue, which brought its own set of challenges,” she explained.
“During filming, we faced a heatwave, and I had to wear a heavy coat for part of the shoot while trying to deliver a big monologue in 100-degree heat. Despite the difficulties, everyone was incredibly enthusiastic about the project. The concept of a gay club and the opportunity for the gay community to be authentically represented was very exciting for all involved.”
“I started in theatre at a young age and had many gay friends who had to hide their identities to get cast. This show offers a space where everyone can be themselves without judgment, and I believe both the gay and straight communities will find something to connect with. It’s a fun, over-the-top show, and I hope people will check it out and enjoy it.”
#16.
In her 70s, Morgan Fairchild continues to thrive both personally and professionally. She remains enthusiastic about her work and cherishes her long-term relationship with producer, executive, and entrepreneur Mark Seiler.
“We’ve been together for 33 years now,” she laughs, “so it’s definitely a long-term commitment. I love him deeply, and he’s a wonderful person. However, we might just keep things as they are for now. We’re both getting older.” Despite not planning to marry, their enduring relationship stands as a testament to their strong bond and mutual respect.
