Inside ‘Six Million Dollar Man’ Lee Majors’ Marriages and Romances—From Farrah Fawcett to True Love
The actor has been married three times, but also romanced stars like Sally Field and Mary Ann Mobley
There was a moment during the making of The Six Million Dollar Man when Lee Majors realized that Colonel Steve Austin needed some bionic nooky to keep him—and the actor himself—sane. “After two years,” he relates, “I said, ‘Guys, look, I haven’t had a love interest on this show and I’m tired of looking at these hairy-legged guys running around here.’ And that’s when we brought in Lindsay Wagner to be the first love interest, and that went over well.”
So, in essence, Austin finally found love and romance, which, as it turns out, is not something that the man playing him had a problem with, though admittedly he often did face the challenges of making those relationships last, as revealed in this look at his marriages and love life.
Kathy Robinson (1961 to 1964)
Lee Majors and Kathy Robinson met in 1959 while attending Eastern Kentucky University. They married on June 17, 1961, and welcomed their son, Lee Majors II, on April 8, 1962. The family relocated to Los Angeles, where Majors pursued acting while working as a park recreation director. However, mounting financial pressures and conflicting work schedules led to their separation in 1964, with the divorce finalized on July 20, 1965.
During and after their separation, Majors began dating actress Patti Chandler. Despite the end of their marriage, Majors and Robinson maintained an amicable relationship, with Robinson and Chandler even developing a friendship. They often spent time together, including shopping for Majors’ son and sharing holiday meals. This harmonious dynamic allowed Majors to co-parent effectively and integrate his new partner into his family life.
Reflecting on his first marriage, Majors acknowledged that their youth and lack of communication contributed to its dissolution. He noted that while they were in love, they weren’t friends, and it wasn’t until after their divorce that they developed a true understanding of each other.
Patti Chandler (1964 to 1967)
Lee Majors and Patti Chandler were involved in a romantic relationship from 1964 to 1967. During this period, their bond was characterized by a deep connection, yet Majors exhibited hesitancy towards marriage, influenced by the emotional aftermath of his previous marriage to Kathy Robinson. This reluctance stemmed from his fear of repeating past mistakes and a desire to maintain personal freedom.
Despite their close relationship, Lee’s apprehensions about commitment led to the eventual dissolution of their romance after three years. Notably, during their time together, Patti developed a friendship with Lee’s ex-wife, Kathy, and was fond of Lee’s son, Lee Jr., often spending time together as a group. Their relationship also intersected professionally; Patti appeared in a 1967 episode of The Big Valley titled “Plunder!” during the latter part of their relationship.
Mary Ann Mobley (1966)
In 1966, Lee Majors and Mary Ann Mobley, both rising stars from the South, began dating after meeting on the set of the movie Girl Happy, where Mobley starred alongside Elvis Presley. At the time, Majors was an aspiring actor, not having yet achieved significant fame. Their relationship blossomed, with Majors often taking Mobley on tours of his modest ranch in Malibu Canyon, reflecting their shared appreciation for simple, rustic living.
However, their romance faced challenges. Majors was also seeing actress Patti Chandler during this period. On one occasion, he picked up Mobley for a date in Chandler’s car, a gesture Mobley found discourteous. This incident led to a disagreement, and despite Majors’ attempts to reconcile, Mobley decided to end their relationship, feeling that Majors’ actions did not align with what she expected from a romantic partner.
Sally Field (1967)
In the mid-1960s, Lee Majors and Sally Field (then of Gidget and The Flying Nun) had a friendly relationship marked by mutual admiration. Majors, known for his role in The Big Valley, was particularly fond of Field. Despite his interest and multiple attempts to arrange dates, their busy schedules consistently interfered, preventing any romantic development.
A notable incident highlighting their dynamic occurred at California’s Mammoth Mountain ski area. Field, seeking anonymity, attended the resort under the alias “Gladys Simmons.” Her cover was inadvertently blown when she encountered Majors, who greeted her by her real name, leading to increased attention from fellow guests. Later, an attempt to join a nightclub gathering resulted in Field being ejected due to age restrictions, an event exacerbated by Majors’ well-intentioned but ill-timed humor. This series of events underscored the challenges they faced in pursuing a personal connection.
Farrah Fawcett (1973 to 1982)
Majors’ most high-profile relationship was with actress Farrah Fawcett. The two married on July 28, 1973, becoming one of Hollywood’s iconic couples of the 1970s. During their marriage, Fawcett used the hyphenated surname Fawcett-Majors. They separated in 1979 and finalized their divorce in 1982, much of it having to do with the fact that he was starring in The Six Million Dollar Man and Fawcett in Charlie’s Angels.
After five grueling seasons and nearly 100 episodes of his series, Majors felt a sense of relief when the show concluded. But the demanding schedule required him to live on the Universal Studios lot during the week, as commuting from his Malibu home was impractical. This intense workload left little time for a personal life, including his marriage.
“I ended up seeing her two weeks in one year,” Majors says wistfully. “She was off doing films and stuff, and doing her series, and I was doing mine. That’s mainly the reason we got divorced; we never saw each other. We stayed great friends, but we just had our own careers going and didn’t have time for each other.”
For her part, the late Fawcett acknowledged the challenges in their marriage, noting that Majors had traditional expectations of a wife who would “clean his house, cook his meals, and be dependent.” She admitted that while she still enjoyed cooking and cleaning, she couldn’t be dependent anymore.
Karen Velez (1988 to 1994)
Lee Majors and Karen Velez, a former Playboy Playmate, were married on November 15, 1988. During their six-year marriage, they had three children together: Nikki, Dane, and Trey. Their union ended in divorce on September 14, 1994, citing irreconcilable differences. Despite the separation, the divorce was described as “very amicable,” according to their spokesperson, Paul Bloch.
Faith Noelle Cross (2002 to present)
Lee Majors has been married to Faith Noelle Cross since 2002. Their enduring relationship began in December 1994 when they met at a dinner party in Florida, introduced by mutual friends. Despite a significant age difference—Majors was 55 and Cross was 20 at the time—they felt an immediate connection. Majors admitted he initially questioned the age gap, but was captivated by Cross’ maturity and presence.
Their first official date took place at the Super Bowl in 1995, an event they consider their anniversary. After six years of dating, Majors proposed during a Super Bowl party, presenting Cross with a 7.5-carat marquis diamond ring shaped like a football. The couple married in November 2002 in a quaint ceremony overlooking the Mediterranean Sea in Positano, Italy, which was attended by close family and friends.
Throughout their marriage, Cross has been a transformative presence in Lee’s life. Before meeting her, Majors described himself as “an old man with a limp,” feeling unhappy and indulging in excessive drinking. He credits Faith with revitalizing his spirit and health, stating, “She transformed me into standing up straight and proud!”
The couple has maintained a strong bond over the years, often attending public events together and supporting each other’s endeavors. They have resided in various locations, including Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, and Houston, Texas.
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