The Story Behind Farrah's Poster

(CBS)  Farrah Fawcett was best-known for her smile and feathered locks, but she became an icon to every teenage boy when her picture was snapped for a poster that went on to become the biggest seller of all time.

On "The Early Show" Tuesday, CBS News correspondent Sandra Hughes reported it was a hot day back in 1976 when celebrity photographer Bruce McBroom was asked to shoot a poster of a virtual unknown.

McBroom said, "Who is going to pay two dollars to buy a picture of someone they've never heard of?"

Fawcett had just shot a pilot for a new show called "Charlie's Angels" when McBroom arrived at Fawcett's home.

McBroom recalled they didn't have a hairstylist, a costumer or a set decorator. Fawcett did her own makeup, and was initially dressed in a one-piece white swimsuit.

"And I said, 'Farrah, you're supposed to be in a bikini," ' McBroom told Hughes. "She said, 'Well, I don't have a bikini." '

After nearly 500 shots, McBroom still felt something was missing. In desperation, he asked Fawcett if she had just one more suit.

And she did -- a red one.

"In her little Texas accent she said, 'What do you think of this?" ' McBroom said. "And like any red-blooded American male, I was speechless."

When the shoot was over, McBroom told Hughes, Fawcett grabbed a hose to cool down. McBroom snapped a few pictures just for fun and showed them to CBS News.

"Her mascara was running, her lipstick was smeared," McBroom said, "And I said, 'What are you doing?' And she said, 'I am so sick of looking perfect." '

While Farrah will always be remembered for "Charlie's Angels," the poster made her famous.

"Whenever anyone hears the name Farrah, they're always going to think of that image and they're going to think of her and it's going to make them smile," McBroom said. "...To this day, nothing has ever clicked like Farrah has."

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To see more McBroom photos of Farrah Fawcett, click here.