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While soap operas don’t typically break viewer records since they’re mostly aired during the daytime, they’re still a great way for an actor to make a living. Many have spent decades in the soap opera circuit, earning millions along the way and recognition for their work. It’s not as glamorous as the blockbuster movie career, but it’s something that’s made Morgan Fairchild very wealthy and a household name for many. Now nearing 70 years old, Fairchild is still going strong and looks almost half of her age.

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Fairchild was actually born with the name Patsy McClenny on February 3, 1950 in Dallas, Texas. Fairchild became a stage name as she focused on acting, which is something she began at a very young age. Fairchild was performing in plays and doing dance numbers in front of crowds, opening up a lot of options. However, Fairchild didn’t see herself that way. “I was a little fat pudgy kid with big thick glasses,” she said. “And I was quiet and never said a word, you know - teachers loved me, straight-A student.”

What pushed Fairchild into acting was her own mother, as Fairchild grew up as a shy child. “My mom decided that my shyness was going to be incapacitating, so she enrolled me in drama class,” she said. “My sister really wanted to go. I threw up every Saturday before we left.” It took some growing pains on Fairchild’s part, but she was able to handle herself eventually. “I don’t know if I’d have ever had the nerve to go back if (our first director) hadn’t given us a little job. Just that little bit of kindness made the whole difference in my life.”

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She spent her entire childhood in the Dallas area, and didn’t have to wait long until she was on film for the first time. Fairchild had actually made her acting debut when she was Faye Dunaway’s body double in the 1967 smash hit “Bonnie and Clyde”, and had another uncredited role just a few years later. It wasn’t until 1973 that Fairchild finally got the spotlight on herself, starring in the long-running soap opera “Search for Tomorrow” as Jennifer Pace, a role in which she would play for five seasons and several hundred episodes.

Throughout the rest of the 1970s, Fairchild would make several more guest appearances on other television shows that included “Happy Days”, “The Amazing Spider-Man” and “Mork & Mindy”.At the same time, Fairchild was also appearing in several television movies such as “The Initiation of Sarah”.

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In the first half of the 1980s, Fairchild found herself continuing with work in the soap opera genre, starring in “Flamingo Road” for three seasons. She earned herself a Golden Globe nomination in the process while also adding guest roles and having a regular role on the short-lived “Paper Dolls”. Several more television movies also followed with big screen features such as “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” and “The Seduction”.

Another big break for Fairchild came in 1985 when she starred on the soap opera “Falcon Crest”, earning more nominations along the way. Though her time on the series didn’t last long, Fairchild’s character was a popular one. Feature films such as “Campus Man”, “Sleeping Beauty” and “Deadly Illusion” then rounded out the rest of the 1980s for Fairchild, who had gotten away from television for a bit.

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Fairchild became the guest star du jour for the 1990s, popping up on some of the biggest television shows of the decade with recurring roles. From “Roseanne” and “Cybill” to “General Hospital” and “Friends”, Fairchild had many memorable temporary roles. This was complemented by films like “Dead Man’s Island”, “Holy Man” and “Naked Gun 33 ⅓”.

The trend of television films and guest appearances continued into the new millennium for Fairchild. She was in shows such as “Just Shoot Me”, “That 70s Show” and “Two and a Half Men” just to name a few. She also returned to being a soap opera regular, starring in the short-lived primetime series “Fashion House” as Sophia Blakely. So far in this decade, Fairchild has guest starred in the shows “Hot in Cleveland”, “Revenge” and “Bones”, while also having an Emmy nominated role in “Days of Our LIves”. Recent films for Fairchild include “Christian Mingle”, “All Good Things” and “You’re Gonna Miss Me”.

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Of course when you look at Fairchild, even at around 70 years old, she still looks remarkable. This has been a big part of her career, admittedly. “It’s nice to be thought of as attractive and all of that,” she said. “On the other hand, it curtails you somewhat, too. They won’t let me read for ‘West Wing’, just to play, you know, a normal person. Or ‘ER’ to play a doctor - the things I’m actually good at. I mean, I’m pretty good on foreign policy - they won’t even let me come read for that.”

“I’m one of those people you can tell ‘no’ in a million different ways, and I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to figure out some way to get you to say ‘yes,’” she added. “People have always underestimated me. I have great stamina, great tenacity.”

Although Fairchild hasn’t gotten all of the parts that she’s wanted or perhaps have qualified for, she’s made a fine career for herself. The job offers keep coming, and making cameo appearances on television when viewers know who you are is always a profitable business. There’s still a bright future for Fairchild, who likely isn’t done with the soap opera game just yet.