Charlie’s Angels (1976–81)
Farrah Fawcett Although the original 1970s blond bombshell played Jill Munroe for only one season, she forever secured a place in pop history (and on millions of teenage boys’ walls, in poster form). To explain her absence after the first season, it was said that her character became a Grand Prix race car driver—in Europe! Sadly, Fawcett died of cancer in 2009 at age 62. Jaclyn Smith She played Kelly Garrett for 110 episodes—the only Angel to take down the bad guys throughout the entire series. Kate Jackson The actress was as whip-smart as her character, Sabrina Duncan. In fact, creator Aaron Spelling credits Jackson for the show’s name, a far catchier, and loftier, option than its original working title: Alley Cats. John Forsythe “Good morning, Angels!” The Dynasty patriarch never set foot on set but lent his voice (uncredited to add mystery) to the Angels’ boss, retired detective Charles Townsend. David Doyle The original John Bosley, Doyle also voiced the beloved Grandpa Lou Pickles in Nickelodeon’s cartoon series Rugrats. Cheryl Ladd Before Angels, Ladd provided Melody’s singing voice on the cartoon series Josie and the Pussycats, garnering the attention of Spelling, who hired her to play Kris Munroe (Jill’s younger sister) after Fawcett’s departure. Shelley Hack Kathie Lee Gifford and Michelle Pfeiffer were considered for the role of Tiffany Welles (a new Angel to fill Kate Jackson’s season-four void), but it was eventually given to Hack, who stayed for only one season. Tanya Roberts For its final go around the sun, the show added Tanya Roberts as the third Angel, playing reformed thief Julie Rogers.
Charlie’s Angels (The Movie, 2000)
Drew Barrymore She not only starred as bad-girl Dylan Sanders, she also bought the screen rights to the film, co-produced it and declared that the Angels would not use guns. Martial arts, it is! Lucy Liu Before she played detective Dr. Joan Watson on CBS’ Elementary, Liu killed it as brainy private eye Alex Munday in the first film adaptation of Charlie’s Angels. Cameron Diaz Barrymore, Liu and Diaz, who played Natalie Cook, spent four months training eight hours a day to get in fighting shape. Bill Murray The Caddyshack funnyman brought his quick-witted humor to Bosley’s already friendly demeanor. Honorable Mentions Sam Rockwell, Crispin Glover, Kelly Lynch, Matt LeBlanc, Tom Green and Luke Wilson also appear.
Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle (The Movie, 2003)
Demi Moore Full Throttle brings back Angels Barrymore, Liu and Diaz—plus Moore, whose villainous character, Madison Lee, is an ex-Angel hell bent on destroying her former boss, Charlie (who was voiced in both films by Forsythe; he died in 2010 at age 92). Bernie Mac In the big-screen sequel, the comedian takes over Murray’s duties as Bosley. Honorable Mentions Justin Theroux, John Cleese and Pink
Charlie’s Angels (The Movie, 2019)
Kristen Stewart The Twilight saga star is at the center of the Angels’ roster as party girl Sabina Wilson. Ella Balinska Sabina’s not the only the muscle in the group—Balinska’s character, Jane Kano, is former M16. Naomi Scott Up-and-comer Scott (known for Disney’s live-action remake of Aladdin) is crime-fighting MIT scientist Elena Houghlin. Elizabeth Banks The Pitch Perfect and Hunger Games series star is not only directing the movie, she’s also made “Bosley” a rank in the Angels organization (instead of a single person), played by her, Patrick Stewart (Star Trek) and Djimon Hounsou (Captain Marvel). And Charlie? We’re not sure who plays him (or, rather, his voice). But whomever it is, they’re sure channeling John Forsythe. Next, Elizabeth Banks’ New Charlie’s Angels Trailer Just Dropped, and It’s a Heavy Dose of Girl Power
