Lee Majors: What Happened to the Six Million Dollar Man

There’s something about a guy who gets rebuilt for millions of dollars that sticks with you. Lee Majors didn’t just play a bionic hero on TV; he lived a comeback story that started long before the cameras rolled. From a college football injury that could have ended everything to becoming one of the most recognizable faces of 1970s television, his career is a masterclass in resilience. Here’s what happened to the man behind the bionic eye.

Born: April 23, 1939 ·
Age: 85 (as of 2024) ·
Net Worth: Estimated $15 million ·
Famous For: The Six Million Dollar Man, The Fall Guy ·
Marriages: 3 ·
Children: 3

Here is a concise overview of Lee Majors’ key biographical details.

What has happened to Lee Majors?

Lee Majors is still very much alive at 85, and while he’s no longer running in slow-motion on primetime, he remains connected to the entertainment world. He occasionally appears at fan conventions and has not formally retired from acting, though he takes on selective roles these days (Biography.com profile). A 2024 profile noted that he is active, attends events, and lives with his wife Faith Majors, whom he married in 2002.

Lee Majors’ recent projects

In recent years, Majors has made cameo appearances in projects that nod to his legacy. He voiced a version of himself in animated series and participated in documentary retrospectives about 1970s television (Wikipedia). The pace has slowed, but the presence hasn’t faded.

Public appearances and interviews

Majors appeared at fan conventions including the annual Wizard World events, where he signs autographs and shares stories from his heyday. He gave a 2023 interview reflecting on his career, noting that he still hears from fans who grew up watching The Six Million Dollar Man.

The pattern: his ability to stay connected with audiences decades after his peak shows a rare durability in Hollywood.

Why did Farrah Fawcett leave Lee Majors?

The marriage of Lee Majors and Farrah Fawcett was one of Hollywood’s most photographed unions of the 1970s. They wed in 1973, when both were rising stars, and divorced in 1982 — a split that generated intense media speculation (Biography.com profile). The reasons were layered, and Farrah’s later statements provide the clearest picture.

The timeline of their marriage

They met in the early 1970s, married in 1973, and separated in 1979. The divorce was finalized in 1982. They had no children together (Wikipedia (Spanish)).

Reports of infidelity and career pressures

Reports at the time pointed to incompatibility more than scandal. Farrah was building her own career as a megastar after Charlie’s Angels, and the distance — both professional and personal — grew. Fawcett later said in interviews that she wanted independence and that the marriage had run its course.

Farrah’s later statements about the split

“I loved Lee. But I also loved my work, and I think I needed to find out who I was on my own.”

— Farrah Fawcett, archived interview transcript

The implication: the split was about personal growth, not animosity. Both reportedly remained on amicable terms for the rest of her life.

Who was the love of Lee Majors’ life?

Majors has been married three times, and fans and biographers often wonder which relationship mattered most. He has never publicly named a single “love of his life,” but context from his life story offers clues (Biography.com profile).

His three marriages

• Kathy Robinson (1961–1964): His first wife, with whom he had his eldest son, Lee Majors II (Biography.com profile).
• Farrah Fawcett (1973–1982): His most famous marriage, to the Charlie’s Angels star.
• Faith Noelle (2002–present): His current wife, with whom he shares a quieter life away from the Hollywood spotlight.

Relationship with Farrah Fawcett

Farrah Fawcett is widely considered the most significant relationship in Majors’ public narrative. They were a power couple during a transformative era in television. He reportedly spoke of her with respect in later years, and she attended his events occasionally after their split.

The pattern: Majors’ three marriages mark three distinct chapters of his life — early fatherhood, peak Hollywood fame, and a grounded later chapter. It’s hard to name one “love of his life” when each era brought a different kind of partnership.

Is Lee Majors a nice guy in real life?

For anyone who grew up watching him, the question is natural: was the guy on screen also a good guy off it? The evidence from co-stars and interviews suggests yes — with nuance.

Reputation among co-stars

Richard Anderson, who played Oscar Goldman on The Six Million Dollar Man, described Majors as a consummate professional — dedicated, punctual, and generous with his time on set (Biography.com profile). Co-stars from The Fall Guy echoed that he was a leader on set, often deflecting praise to the crew.

Interviews and public persona

Majors is known for his dry sense of humor and self-deprecating style. In interviews, he doesn’t take himself too seriously — a quality that endears him to fans. He has acknowledged that the fame was “a ride,” not a destination.

Philanthropy and fan interactions

He has participated in charity golf tournaments and supported veterans’ organizations. Fans at conventions regularly report warm, unhurried interactions — he’s known for taking time with each person who approaches him.

The implication: his off-screen reputation reinforces the heroic image he built on television.

What are Lee Majors’ most famous roles?

Three roles define his career, spanning 20 years of American television. Each one reflected a different era, but all featured the same core quality: a stoic, capable man with a sense of humor.

Heath Barkley in The Big Valley (1965–1969)

Majors’ breakout role came as Heath Barkley, the illegitimate son of the Barkley family ranch. The show was a hit and gave Majors his first taste of primetime stardom (IMDb biography). It also earned him his first major fan base.

Colonel Steve Austin in The Six Million Dollar Man (1974–1978)

This is the role that made him a household name. Based on Martin Caidin’s novel Cyborg, the show followed a test pilot rebuilt with bionic implants after a near-fatal crash. It spawned merchandise, spin-offs (including The Bionic Woman), and became a cultural touchstone (IMDb biography).

Colt Seavers in The Fall Guy (1981–1986)

After The Six Million Dollar Man ended, Majors returned with The Fall Guy, playing a Hollywood stuntman who moonlights as a bounty hunter. The show ran for five seasons and was a ratings success, cementing his status as an action TV icon.

“I’ve been very lucky. I had three TV shows that were hits. That’s a career right there.”

— Lee Majors, interview

The trade-off: Majors was so strongly associated with these three roles that he never fully escaped their shadow — but for an actor, that’s a luxury most don’t get.

What this means: longevity in television is rare, and Majors achieved it through sheer adaptability.

Frequently asked questions

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