'That Was The Best Thing I Ever Did': Morgan Fairchild Will Never Regret Losing Jobs Over Advocacy

Morgan Fairchild is one of television's most glamorous stars, thanks to memorable roles in shows like "Falcon Crest" and "Flamingo Road". While her beauty and acting chops made her a household name — we're begging her to write a memoir — Fairchild also spent years advocating for causes she believes in. In particular, HIV/AIDS awareness is an issue deeply close to her heart, and she stuck by it even when her support came at a professional cost.

Speaking with Yahoo, Fairchild revealed that her outspoken advocacy during the height of the AIDS epidemic wasn't always welcome in Hollywood. She explained that some industry executives considered her activism 'too controversial,' which she believes ultimately cost her acting jobs. "I kind of figured I would lose some work with the AIDS work and everything," she explained to the outlet. However, she noted that she 'didn't expect it to be quite as bad as it was.'

Despite those consequences, Fairchild never regretted the decision. Reflecting on that period of her career, she said, "That was the best thing I ever did." The report also touched on the impact of her choice, writing, "A publisher friend called her during the period when Rock Hudson was still alive, wanting to do a group shot for Hollywood Fights AIDS. Everyone had declined. Fairchild said yes." The piece added that Fairchild described the hardships of that decade, describing her willingness to '[take] the punch so other people could get behind [her] and talk about it.'

Fairchild's commitment to HIV/AIDS advocacy might have begun in the 1980s, when misinformation and fear surrounding the disease were widespread, but she's continued to be a lifelong activist. At a time when many public figures avoided discussing the epidemic, the actress used interviews, fundraising events, and public appearances to encourage education and compassion. Her willingness to speak openly helped challenge stigma and brought greater visibility to organizations working to support those affected by HIV/AIDS.

Fairchild's decades-long commitment to HIV/AIDS advocacy has also been recognized by Entertainment Weekly. The publication noted that she became one of the first celebrities to publicly educate Americans about HIV/AIDS, testifying before Congress, working with Dr. Anthony Fauci and former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop, and continuing to champion organizations like Project Angel Food decades later. The outlet also highlighted Fairchild's admission that speaking out 'hurt [her] career,' but she held strong that educating the public was worth the personal sacrifice.

Although Fairchild is now celebrated for her activism, she told the outlet, "It was a very scary time," continuing, "I lost a lot of friends who didn't want me to eat off their plates or be around their children because I visited hospices."  Through this work, she joins a handful of celebs who took activism to the next level.