Who was on the best selling poster of all time?

In 1976, after Pro Arts Inc. pitched the idea of a poster of Fawcett to her agent, a photo shoot was arranged with photographer Bruce McBroom, who was hired by the poster company. According to friend Nels Van Patten, Fawcett styled her own hair and did her makeup without the aid of a mirror. Her blonde highlights were further heightened by a squeeze of lemon juice. From 40 rolls of film, Fawcett herself selected her six favorite pictures, eventually the choice was narrowed to the one that made her famous. The resulting poster, of Fawcett in a one-piece red bathing suit, is the best-selling poster in history. The 1976 poster of Farrah Fawcett sold a Record-breaking 12 million copies.

If the poster company behind the shoot had its way, however, the red swimsuit would have never made it into the frame. Fawcett was still relatively unknown at that point, as Charlie’s Angels had not yet debuted on ABC, and they thought a racy shot was their best chance to sell posters. Recalls photographer Bruce McBroom to Entertainment Weekly, “I said [to Farrah], ‘He wants you in a bikini,’ and she said, ‘I don’t have a bikini.’” So, she went into her closet and put on what she had, did her own hair and makeup, and flashed her signature megawatt smile.

The colorful background was a blanket from Mexico that McBroom had in the back of his 1937 pickup truck.