Charlie’s Angels stars Kate Jackson, Jaclyn Smith and Cheryl Ladd got candid about having a strong sisterhood to support each other through their respective cancer battles, and shared insights into their health journeys.
The trio spoke to People about being diagnosed with cancer at different stages of their lives, and how the experience connected them and their late co-star, Farrah Fawcett, who passed away in 2009 from anal cancer.
“Whether it was the first year [on the show] with Farrah or the second year with Cheryl, the three of us are the only ones who had that shared experience,” Kate told the publication. “It’s something no one else could possibly understand.“
“Talk about a sisterhood,” Cheryl added. “The fact that all three of us have had cancer is kind of strange, but all of us are doing great.“
Kate was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987 and again in 1989, and underwent a partial mastectomy as a result. Meanwhile, Jaclyn battled breast cancer in 2002 and has been cancer-free ever since.
Cheryl revealed in April 2026 that she had privately battled an aggressive form of breast cancer in recent years, and that her Charlie’s Angels friends were there for her through it all.
© Getty ImagesCheryl noticed a lump in her breast and was quickly taken to the doctor by her husband, Brian Russell, before starting chemotherapy and losing her hair. “I looked like an alien. My husband would say, ‘But, honey, a beautiful alien,‘” she recalled. The actress added that Jaclyn sent her numerous wigs from her line with Paula Young to boost her confidence after the hair loss.
“I had so many wigs. Jaclyn would be like, ‘Oh! I have a new one. I’m going to send it to you. You want a short one first? Then [a longer one] as your hair grows out?‘ She was just amazing,” Cheryl said.
© Disney General Entertainment ConJaclyn was also by Kate’s side when she battled breast cancer in the ’80s, and was one of the first people to learn of her co-star’s diagnosis. She recalled being “right there when Kate went into the operating room and right there when she came out,” before switching places with the star in 2002 when she received her own cancer diagnosis.
© WireImage“They caught it early, and I’m grateful every single day,” she said of her health battle. “It’s this club you don’t want to be a member of, but when you are, there’s a compassion and an understanding.” The ’70s icons then implored others to seek help straight away “if you feel anything – even the tiniest thing“.
© Ron Galella Collection via Getty“Don’t wait. Don’t let it win,” Cheryl concluded. Farrah was first diagnosed with cancer in 2006 and underwent chemotherapy and surgery to fight the disease.
She was declared cancer-free in 2007, only for it to metastasize three months later into stage IV liver cancer. Farrah passed away in June 2009 at the age of 62.
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