He is known for playing for Officer Chris Owens in the American police procedural television series The Rookies.

[1] He began his career in 1974, where Fairbairn succeeded departing actor Michael Ontkean on the police series The Rookies.

[1] On September 9, 1975, he was arrested for drunk driving in Los Angeles, California, for which he paid a fine.

[5][6] After The Rookies ended in 1976, Fairbairn guest-starred in television programs including Knight Rider, Matt Houston, Remington Steele, The Trials of Rosie O'Neill, Baywatch, The Incredible Hulk, Matlock, Simon & Simon and Charlie's Angels.

He appeared in four films: Cyclone, Vampire Hookers (as "Tom Buckley"), 3 Strikes, The Hanoi Hilton.