Farrah Fawcett, a symbol of American pop culture who never quite managed to escape the iconic role — as one of "Charlie's Angels" — that made her that symbol died yesterday at a hospital in Santa Monica, Calif.

Fawcett was 62, and had been suffering from anal cancer, which had recently spread to her liver.

She was a near-mythic figure of '70s TV screen and pinup-poster fame, with a radiant grin and famed hair.

Ryan O'Neal, the longtime companion who had reunited with Fawcett as she fought cancer, was at her side, along with friend Alana Stewart.

"After a long and brave battle with cancer, our beloved Farrah has passed away," O'Neal said. "Although this is an extremely difficult time for her family and friends, we take comfort in the beautiful times that we shared with Farrah over the years and the knowledge that her life brought joy to so many people around the world."

Other "Charlie's Angels" stars paid tribute to Fawcett.

"Farrah had courage, she had strength, and she had faith. And now she has peace as she rests with the real angels," Jaclyn Smith said.

Cheryl Ladd said: "She was incredibly brave, and God will be welcoming her with open arms."

"She was a joy to work with," said Robert Greenwald, the producer who cast her in her most respected TV role, in "The Burning Bed," based on a true story about an abused wife.

"She was smart, passionate and creative and a real fighter on every level."

Fawcett also famously battled the industry. She walked out on her contract for "Charlie's Angels," precipitating a war with some of the industry's major powers, such as Aaron Spelling and ABC, a network that was riding to success with the show after years in the Dumpster.

Born in Corpus Christi, Texas, in 1947, Fawcett moved to Los Angeles after high school, and was cast in small roles in series such as "I Dream of Jeannie" and "The Flying Nun." After marrying TV star Lee Majors in 1973, she guested in his hit series "The Six Million Dollar Man" and began doing ads for Wella Balsam hair products. That led to a deal for the Fawcett pinup poster — posed in a red bathing suit — that became an iconic image of the decade.

After divorcing in 1980, she began a tempestuous relationship with O'Neal. Their son, Redmond, 24, has been in jail since April for drug possession.

A TV documentary that aired last month followed Fawcett on her cancer treatments. "Farrah's Story" will be her final credit.