In the late 1970s,
Farrah Fawcett was, without a doubt, the most famous sex symbol in the world, thanks to her best-selling poster and role on
Charlie's Angels. For a while, a Farrah craze swept the nation, inspiring a slew of lookalike contests. Below are some of the winners.
Mary Gallagher
In February 1977, Mary Gallagher beat out 280 other wannabe Farrahs in a nationwide lookalike contest held in Detroit. She subsequently became the best-known Farrah lookalike.
People magazine even ran a feature about her.
![](https://www.weirduniverse.net/images/2019/farrah01a.jpg)
Gallagher posing in front of the Farrah poster.
Detroit Free Press - Feb 2, 1977
In her day job, Gallagher was a clerk for the UPS, but after winning the contest she signed up with a modeling agency and landed various paid appearances as a Farrah lookalike, such as a gig (below) at Rosella's furniture store in Greenville, Mississippi. (Dobbs was her married name.)
![](https://www.weirduniverse.net/images/2019/farrah01c.jpg)
Delta Democrat-Times - Jun 24, 1977
Shari Matichuk
![](https://www.weirduniverse.net/images/2019/farrah02.jpg)
Calgary Herald - Oct 7, 1978
Debbie Harriman
![](https://www.weirduniverse.net/images/2019/farrah03a.jpg)
Tampa Bay Times - May 23, 1977
![](https://www.weirduniverse.net/images/2019/farrah03b.jpg)
Tampa Bay Times - July 22, 1977
Denise Hanlon
![](https://www.weirduniverse.net/images/2019/farrah04a.jpg)
Los Angeles Times - Oct 6, 1978
![](https://www.weirduniverse.net/images/2019/farrah04b.jpg)
Chicago Tribune - Oct 2, 1978
Betty Blake
![](https://www.weirduniverse.net/images/2019/farrah05.jpg)
Boston Globe - May 2, 1977
Shirley Campbell
![](https://www.weirduniverse.net/images/2019/farrah06.jpg)
Philadelphia Daily News - June 18, 1977
Terri Coston
![](https://www.weirduniverse.net/images/2019/farrah07.jpg)
Carlsbad Current Argus - May 16, 1977
Honorable Mention Losers
I found reports of two guys who entered Farrah lookalike contests: James Van Akkeren of Sheboygan and Pete Wagner of the University of Minnesota. Neither of them won. And unfortunately I can't find a picture of either one.
![](https://www.weirduniverse.net/images/2019/farrah08.jpg)
Pocono Record - Aug 10, 1977
Category: Awards, Prizes, Competitions and Contests | Celebrities | 1970s