Cheryl Ladd may forever be remembered by millions as one of the glamorous stars of Charlie’s Angels, but away from the cameras, her life has been shaped by a love story that survived controversy, career pressures, family changes, and serious personal challenges.
Before meeting her second husband, music producer Brian Russell, Cheryl was married to actor David Ladd from 1973 until 1980. The couple welcomed a daughter, Jordan Ladd, but their marriage eventually came to an end.
Cheryl’s relationship with Brian began developing in the fall of 1979, shortly after her separation from David. The situation attracted considerable attention because Brian had been a close friend of her first husband. When their romance became public, the couple found themselves facing intense scrutiny.
Rather than allowing the criticism to separate them, Brian later said the experience strengthened their relationship.
“We were dragged through the mud for a while, but it made us cling even closer together.”
By January 1981, Cheryl and Brian were married.
Their partnership soon extended beyond their home life. Brian supported Cheryl as she explored opportunities that allowed audiences to see her as more than Kris Munroe, the character she famously portrayed on Charlie’s Angels.
Under his guidance, Cheryl demonstrated her singing and dancing abilities in television specials alongside performers including Ben Vereen, Carol Burnett, and Rick Springfield. Following the end of Charlie’s Angels in 1981, she also pursued more dramatic acting opportunities.
Projects such as The Grace Kelly Story and Kentucky Woman helped demonstrate her range, while Brian frequently worked behind the scenes. He served as executive producer on The Grace Kelly Story and two of Cheryl’s television specials and contributed songs to her album Fascinated.
For Cheryl, mixing marriage and work wasn’t something to fear.
“It’s easy to be partners, and to bolster each other. Brian is very strong and aware of who he is. He’s a stabilizing factor in our lives.”
Brian similarly believed Cheryl had become stronger as both an actress and a person, observing that she was increasingly taking control of her career and her own identity.
Their marriage also created a blended family. Cheryl brought Jordan into the relationship, while Brian had a daughter, Lindsay, from his previous marriage to singer Brenda Russell.
The two girls alternated weeks in their household and developed a close relationship. Cheryl affectionately described them as “very good sisters.”
Blending two families wasn’t always effortless. Cheryl later acknowledged that stepfamilies involve complicated emotions and inevitable mistakes. Still, she believed the challenges were worth navigating, particularly as their family eventually expanded to include grandchildren.
When the daughters grew up and left home, Cheryl experienced the conflicting emotions familiar to many parents.
“I went from two girls to no children, and I was a little bipolar about that. Part of me sat on the bed and cried, ‘I miss the girls!’ The other side said, ‘Honey, we can run around naked!’” Continue Reading ⬇️