Cheryl Ladd’s Only Kid Is Her Pride While Farrah Fawcett’s Was in Jail — Inside Their Very Different Lives

• Cheryl Ladd and Farrah Fawcett found worldwide fame through the "Charlie's Angels" franchise.
• Despite their success, they did not immediately find the people they wanted to spend the rest of their lives with.
• They gave birth to a child each, whom they showered with love and care so they could hopefully follow in their footsteps. Unfortunately, one ended up in prison for substance abuse.

Cheryl Ladd and Farrah Fawcett were two successful actresses from the "Charlie's Angels" franchise. They played the same role on the show, and without even planning it, they ended up experiencing similar things in their love and parenting lives.

Fawcett married actor Lee Majors, best known for his hit TV series, "The Big Valley," in 1973. During their marriage, she was cast on the "Charlie's Angels" TV series as one of the main characters alongside Kate Jackson and Jaclyn Smith.

Fawcett instantly became the best-known character, and her wavy blond hair became a crowd favorite. Women from around the world flocked to their salons to get "The Farrah," which was what her hairstyle was called.

Fawcett was the ultimate "It Girl" of the 1970s. She also posed in an iconic red swimsuit, which earned her a 10% profit every time it was sold. Ultimately, it was sold in the millions.

A year after starring in "Charlie's Angels," Fawcett realized she wanted to do more with her life. The series demanded much of her time, and it was taking a toll on her marriage with Majors, who felt she was suddenly more famous than him.

When the show was at its peak, Fawcett left and instead chose to start a movie career. She was initially sued by the producers until they reached a settlement in which she would still make guest appearances on the show.

The agreement that Fawcett would guest-star on the show meant she and Ladd, who was hired as her replacement, had some air time together. They had several scenes together in season three.

Unfortunately, even leaving the show didn't save Fawcett's marriage. She and Majors separated in 1979, and their divorce was finalized in 1982.

Fawcett then began a relationship with Ryan O'Neal, who was first a friend of her ex-husband. A couple of years after their relationship went public, they welcomed a son named Redmond.

During Redmond's early years, he would often be seen photographed with his famous parents. He was all smiles, and they looked like any typical happy family. Time would tell, however, that he wasn't as happy as his pictures made him look.

After Ladd replaced Fawcett on "Charlie's Angels," she stayed on the show until it was canceled in 1981, launching her acting career further after, starring in "Purple Hearts," "Lisa," Millennium," and "Permanent Midnight."

After "Charlie's Angels," Ladd and Fawcett crossed paths again when the lead role for "The Burning Bed" was declined by Ladd, and it ultimately went to Fawcett.

The role ended up being a pivotal moment in Fawcett's career, as it garnered rave reviews from critics and fans alike. She was also nominated for a Golden Globe and an Emmy for her role.

Like Fawcett, Ladd's first marriage ended in divorce. She was married to David Ladd from 1973 to 1980, and together they had a child named Jordan.

David was also an actor, but his career wasn't as stable as his wife's, and there were years when he didn't have any projects at all.

Despite this, he and Ladd made things work, and their weekends were always saved for family trips with their daughter. Speaking of her role as a mother, Ladd once said, "Of my three careers, wife and mother is the most important one."

Cheryl Ladd's Difficult Blended Family Situation

After Ladd's first marriage ended in divorce, she met another man whom she would later realize was her one true love. She married Brian Russell in 1981, and they've remained together for over four decades.

Despite re-marrying, Ladd kept her first husband's last name. Her new husband embraced the role of stepfather to her daughter Jordan, and likewise, Ladd became a stepmom to Russell's daughter, Lindsay.

Although the couple initially wanted to have a child of their own, they chose not to for the sake of their daughters. Jordan was facing problems accepting the relationship as she felt disloyal to her biological dad, and they respected her feelings. Ladd said:

“We brought these two little girls and thrusted [sic] them into this maelstrom and if we brought our baby into this mix what would this do to their security?”

Speaking for themselves, both Jordan and Lindsay admitted that the transition was difficult for them. They both wanted to feel that they were equally important.

Despite the challenges, the girls have learned to get along. They credit their parents for being great to both of them, with Lindsay calling Ladd her "bonus mom."

Ultimately, it took Jordan years to accept her parents' divorce. When she finally moved past it, she studied at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, before moving to LA to pursue acting.

Fawcett and Ladd Faced Challenges as Working Mothers

Despite Cheryl Ladd and Farrah Fawcett being great mothers, their kids led different lives. Ladd's daughter is her pride and joy, while Fawcett's son was her biggest worry throughout most of her later life.

Ladd's daughter, Jordan, had her acting debut when she was 2 years old. She starred in a Polaroid commercial with James Garner, and when she was 4, she starred in a "Charlie's Angels" flashback episode where she played her mom.

"God just made her incredible," Ladd gushed about Jordan. She is her daughter's biggest fan and supporter.

While Ladd's daughter has forged her own path, Fawcett's son Redmond went through some difficult circumstances growing up.

During his teenage and early adult years, Redmond went on a downward spiral. He suffered mental health issues and struggled with substance abuse.

Fawcett was always worried about Redmond, even when she was too sick to get up or to even speak to him on the phone. During the time of her death, Redmond couldn't be with her because he was locked up in jail for possession of illicit substances.

Redmond learned of his mother's passing from the prison pastor, and while he wasn't allowed to visit her deathbed, he was given time to attend his funeral on the condition that three guards chaperoned him.

Until the end of her life, Fawcett thought about her son, with her last word being "Redmond," according to her friend Mela Murphy. While she didn't know her son was in jail at the time, she still worried about him. After all, her main reason for wanting to keep on living was to be with him.

On June 25, 2009, Fawcett died of cancer at 62. Despite no longer being on Earth, Fawcett made sure to continue caring for her son. She left the entirety of her $4.5 million estate to him, leaving nothing to her long-time on-and-off partner Ryan O'Neal. It is unknown what Redmond chose to do with the money, or if he was ever able to do something with it.

While Fawcett's death could have easily been a life-altering moment for Redmond, his streak of bad behavior didn't end. In 2018, he was wanted by police in connection to several crimes in the Palms and Venice Beach neighborhoods.

Redmond allegedly attacked five random men, with two ending up seriously injured. He was accused of several different things, including the robbery of a convenience store, attempted murder, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, one count of battery, and one count of brandishing a knife.

Redmond pled not guilty to the charges against him and was denied bail. The incident came years after Fawcett's death from anal cancer. He was already then-emotionally-troubled, and the star's closest friends had to promise her that they'd do their best to care for him after her passing.

How Jordan Ladd and Redmond O'Neal Are Doing Now

Through the years, Redmond shied away from the spotlight and rarely spoke about his parents to the press. Meanwhile, Jordan had always been more open and was recorded speaking about her parents multiple times.

Throughout Jordan's growing years, she tried her best to continue acting. She was on an episode of "Saved by the Bell: New Class," and starred in "Never Been Kissed" in 1999 alongside Drew Barrymore.

In the new millennium, she starred in "The Specials," "Cabin Fever," and "Club Dread." In 2001, she married Conor O'Neill, who is a film editor best known for his work on "Foxcatcher," "Moneyball," and "Falling Up."

Their marriage was short-lived, and they got divorced in 2005 without welcoming any kids together.

Before Redmond's notorious behavior, he worked as a voice actor for years. He is credited for his roles on "Johnny Bravo," "Love Don't Cost a Thing," and "Little Toaster Goes to Mars."

Following his streak of run-ins with the law, Redmond never recovered. In 2019, he was deemed "incompetent" to stand trial by a judge. From his cell in a Los Angeles jail, he was transferred to a state mental hospital where he received treatment.

Redmond was diagnosed with several mental health disorders and continues to be treated for them. Reports have stated that he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, antisocial personality disorder, and schizophrenia.

Ultimately, it was revealed that Fawcett left certain conditions in her will for her son to be able to inherit her money. It was only to be touched for matters relating to his health. However, he had access to the interest that her money generated, which was being managed by her business manager, Richard Francis.

The difference between Fawcett and Ladd's children is blinding, but ultimately, the actresses were two working mothers who wanted nothing more than the best for their children. Their love was immeasurable, and regardless of what happened to their children, they always had the best intentions at heart.