“An Angel In A Snake Pit”
These words were spoken by one of Hollywood’s most promising stars, describing her own personal hell…
A Shocking True Hollywood Story!
This is the story of Hollywood sex kitten June Fairchild. June was an aspiring Actress building a career along with other hot young stars in the 60’s like Jack Nicholson, but her story took a tragic turn…
June Fairchild got her start as a go-go dancer, and quickly found herself part of Hollywood’s new generation of stars: she co-starred in The Monkees’ cult classic musical film called “Head”…
Here’s a fascinating piece of trivia: “HEAD” was written by Jack Nicholson! Read all about this cult classic here:
Fairchild appeared in a dozen films in the 70’s, including her memorable role as a druggie who snorts Ajax soap powder in Cheech and Chong’s cult comedy “Up in Smoke”!
She was also in Jack Nicholson’s directorial debut called “Drive, He Said,” and “Thunderbolt and Lightfoot” (1974), with Clint Eastwood and Jeff Bridges.
In the 70’s, Fairchild lived for several years with her boyfriend Danny Hutton, who was a lead singer for the group Three Dog Night.
Fairchild Names The Band!
According to several published reports, June suggested the group’s name – after reading that Australian aborigines gauged the coldness of a night by the number of dogs they had to curl up with to stay warm!
Her Shocking Fall!
At this point, her life takes a downward turn…
“Don’t worry about me, dahling,” Fairchild would tell friends, imitating Mae West, one of her idols. “I don’t know what all the fuss is about.”
Here is a shocking photo of her, taken by a UK newspaper when they reported on her troubling story…
According to a story in the Los Angeles Times, her film career dissolved “in a haze of drugs and booze”, and the Actress tried going to rehab several times throughout her life…
Shocking photos of June were printed in 2001, revealing her plight. She was shown selling newspapers on the steps of a Los Angeles courthouse, living on LA’s Skid Row in a single-room occupancy hotel.
“An Angel In A Snake Pit!”
Fairchild was well aware of the downward spiral of her life.
She was “an angel in a snake pit,” she told the Times reporter who uncovered her Hollywood past.
In 2002, June had a brief career resurgence when she signed a contract allowing Paramount Studios to use her likeness on bobble-head dolls of the Ajax Lady from “Up in Smoke.”
“I want to work,” she told The Times. “I’m going to be self-sufficient. I’m going to take care of my daughter. I want to get a little house and do it right. I’m not thinking small.”
Unfortunately, her comeback stalled, and she spent her last years living on Social Security disability payments in small rooms in downtown hotels.
Fairchild died of liver cancer in 2015 at the age of 68…
Fairchild’s story isn’t unique: Hollywood is a tough place to survive, and many great stars couldn’t cope:
I also told the sad story of Cheryl “Rainbeaux” Smith, who had success in the 70’s but also fell from grace..
You can read that story here:
And one Hollywood star was found dead in her Beverly Hills home, almost a year after she died:
Yvette Vickers’ death shocked Hollywood. This troubling story can be seen here:
RIP June Fairchild…
Categories: 70's Cinema, 70's Music, Action Films, Art, Books / Media, Comedy Movies, Cult Movies, Exploitation films, Great Films, Grindhouse, Hollywood, Independent Cinema, Los Angeles, Memoirs, Movies, Obscure Movies, Talent/Celebrities, Uncategorized
johnrieber 
I saw June Fairchild on an episode of COPS. She was pulled over with her boyfriend for a minor traffic violation. In the car, an open container was found beside her, and she had to be arrested. She had just been released from jail! She was showing the arresting officers her portfolio. I said to myself, “Hey that’s the AJAX lady” Her boyfriend showed real class by deserting her as she was being arrested.
You forget her small performance in Pretty Maids All in a Row. She was the laughing student being interviewed by Telly Savalas.
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