A Dallas native, Fairchild first entered acting as a child, when her mother enrolled her in drama lessons after she was too shy to give a book report in class. From the age of 10, she performed in numerous productions throughout Dallas, ultimately preparing her to move to New York to embark on her acting career. Within six weeks, she landed the key role of the paranoid murderess, Jennifer Pace Phillips, in CBS' "Search for Tomorrow." Shortly thereafter, she moved to Los Angeles, where she made guest appearances in numerous television series, including "Barnaby Jones," "Happy Days," "The Bob Newhart Show," "Police Woman," "Kojak" and "Mork and Mindy," among others.

As her roles expanded and exposure of her talent increased, Fairchild originated the role of Jenna Wade on the classic primetime serial "Dallas." In 1981, she received a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Drama for her role of Constance (Weldon) Carlyle in the NBC series "Flamingo Road." She later had a recurring role in the primetime dramas "Hotel," as well as starred as lawyer Jordan Roberts in CBS' popular series "Falcon Crest." Recently, Fairchild secured memorable roles in "7th Heaven," "Providence," "Murder, She Wrote," "Touched by an Angel," "Perry Mason," "Roswell," "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman" and "Diagnosis Murder." Fairchild also starred in David L. Wolper's high-profile miniseries "North and South" and "North and South, Book II."

Equally adept in comedy as she is in drama, Fairchild has amassed an impressive resume of key guest starring roles in some of television's finest sitcoms, including "Friends," "That '70s Show," "Roseanne," "Just Shoot Me!," "Cybill," "Empty Nest" and "Dharma and Greg." In 1990 she received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her guest starring role in the classic CBS sitcom "Murphy Brown." She also appeared in more than a dozen appearances on NBC's comedy specials hosted by legend Bob Hope.

In feature films, Fairchild starred in "The Red-Headed Stranger," based on country music legend Willie Nelson's concept album of the same name. She also starred in "Campus Man," "Sleeping Beauty," "Midnight Cop," co-starring Michael York and Armin Mueller-Stahl, and the independent motion picture "Shattered Illusions." She made a cameo appearance in "Pee Wee's Big Adventure" and in 1995 co-starred with Martin Sheen in "Gospa," shot on location in war torn Bosnia.

On stage Fairchild generated critical acclaim for her portrayal of Skye in the off-Broadway play "Geniuses," with other recent stage appearances in "Goodbye Charlie" and "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes."

In addition to her accomplishments on screen and stage, Fairchild is heavily involved in a wide range of subject matters, including AIDS research efforts and environmental issues. She starred in the AIDS education and prevention video "Safe Sex for Men and Women," produced to benefit the American Foundation for AIDS Research, is a member of the Entertainment Industry's AIDS Task Force and has spearheaded numerous other fund-raising projects for the disease. In addition, she has testified before a special Congressional Committee about AIDS education. Fairchild also is on the Board of Governors of APLA and Board of Directors of Amfar. Additionally, she helped found the Environmental Communications Office, which encourages entertainment industry professionals to become better educated and more active on environmental issues, and sits on the Board of Directors of the Hollywood Women's Political Committee.

Fairchild also authored the Simon and Schuster beauty book Super Looks, a complete guide and includes make-up, hair, exercises and diet tips.