Groovy History

Cheryl Ladd in publicity photos. Source: eBay

For Cheryl Ladd, Charlie's Angels was a launchpad to stardom, although replacing Farrah Fawcett was a tall order. The multi-talented Ladd flourished as an Angel alongside Kate Jackson and Jaclyn Smith, and stayed on the show for its remaining four seasons. Ladd continued to work as a TV actress through the '80s, '90s, and into the 20th century. Still, being one of the stars of TV's hottest action drama in the late '70s leaves a mark. "I don't think people will ever forget I was an Angel," Ladd has said, "anymore than they'll forget Sally Field was The Flying Nun."

Cheryl Stoppelmoor Becomes Cheryl Ladd

Source: (AOL.com)

Cheryl Jean Stoppelmoor was born in Huron, South Dakota, and when she graduated from high school, her mother asked her what she wanted. Her response: luggage. She was determined to leave South Dakota and head either to New York or California. She traveled west with the band The Music Shop before she ended up in Los Angeles in 1970 and became Cheryl Ladd when she married fellow actor David Ladd in 1973. Although she divorced Ladd in 1980, she retained his last name. The couple had a daughter together as well.

Her Music Career Transitioned Into Acting

She started as a cartoon. Source: (JustWatch)

When Ladd went to Los Angeles, her original goal was to pursue a career in music, and her first role was as Melody on the animated show, Josie and the Pussycats; she also recorded the album for the show in 1970. During her role on the show, she was known as Cherie Moor. She began to land non-singing roles on advertisements and television shows, such as The Partridge Family, The Muppet Show, and Happy Days and she starred in the film Chrome and Hot Leather in 1971, which was followed three years later by The Treasure of Jamaica Reef.

She Lands The Role She Was Known For

On the Muppets. Source: (pinterest)

In 1977, she was cast as Farrah Fawcett’s younger sister, Kris Munro, on Charlie’s Angels replacing Fawcett who left the show to pursue a film career. Ladd was hesitant at first to accept the role because she was a bit intimidated by the prospect of trying to replace Fawcett. When she first met with Aaron Spelling to discuss the role, she suggested that the character could be funny. The two of them developed the character of Kris Munro together. Ladd remained on the show until it ended in 1981.

Life During And After The Show

With Kate Jackson and Jaclyn Smith. Source: (pinterest)

Despite her pursuit of an acting career, Ladd did not completely end her singing career, managing to record top 40 and Billboard Hot 100 singles. The song she was best known for the song “Think it Over,” released in 1978, while she was still acting in Charlie’s Angels. “Think it Over” earned a gold disc.

After the show ended, she starred in more than 30 made-for-TV movies, including a biopic about Grace Kelly, with Ladd starring as Kelly. She also had roles in mini-series, and movies, including Purple Hearts (1984) and Poison Ivy (1992). Ladd starred as medical examiner Dawn "Holli" Holliday on the series One West Waikiki (1994-96) and continued to have guest appearances on multiple television shows, most notably in 29 episodes as Jillian Deline, the wife of Ed Deline (James Caan), a major character in Las Vegas. She also has stage credits to her name, having appeared on Broadway in a revival of Annie Get Your Gun.

Building A New Relationship And Houses

With her second husband. Source: (Zimbio)

Ladd developed cataracts, and had surgery to improve her vision. She also began using a product called the PanOptix lenses, and has since become a spokesperson for them. She also started her own business, Cheryl Ladd Signature Homes, which she runs with her husband, Brian Russell. The couple had remodeled their home twice and then built one for themselves. After that, they decided to build homes for other people.

A Continuing Career

With her daughter. Source: (YouTube)

Ladd is also a published writer, releasing the children’s book The Adventures of Little Nettie Windship in 1996, and, in 2005, a memoir focused on her love of golfing, Token Chick: A Woman’s Guide to Golfing With the Boys. Her love of golf has also led her to host a golfing tournament sponsored by Buick.