Shelley Fabares, who was beloved by fans of popular TV shows like Coach and The Donna Reed Show, died at the age of 82 in Los Angeles on Saturday, August 22, per People. Her versatile, decades-long career included film roles as well, including three in the 1960s with Elvis Presley - Clambake, Girl Happy, and Spinout. A native of Santa Monica, California, Fabares was married twice. Her first husband was music producer Lou Adler. She later wed actor Mike Farrell, an alum of M*A*S*H. Fabares' aunt was the late actress Nanette Fabray.
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In addition to her acting career, Shelley Fabares was a successful singer. Her 1962 single, "Johnny Angel," soared to the top of the charts, It was no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, per the outlet, She also dropped four LPs.
Fabares' Family Issued a Heartfelt Statement
The actress' family released an emotional statement upon her death. Fabares was clearly loved deeply by those close to her and will be genuinely missed. It reads in part, per the outlet, "To her family and friends, Shelley was a source of love, strength, laughter, and comfort. She was a devoted wife, cherished stepmother, daughter, sister, niece, aunt, family member, and loyal friend whose warmth, generosity, humor, and grace made an enduring difference in the lives of everyone who knew her. She had a remarkable ability to make people feel welcomed, valued, and cared for."
Furthermore, it continued, "For millions, Shelley was a beloved actress whose work became part of the fabric of American television and film...But to those closest to her, her greatest legacy was personal: the love she gave so freely, the friendships she treasured, and the family bonds she held dear...We take comfort in knowing that Shelley's work and the memories she created with those who loved her will continue to live on."
She Began Her Career as a Child Model
Shelley Fabares was a model when she was just a youngster. As a teenager, she landed a part in The Donna Reed Show, which aired from 1958 until 1966. She played Mary Stone, Reed's daughter. The two became very close, with Fabares reportedly looking up to Reed as a role model who succeeded in a heavily male-dominated industry.
The memorable part she played in Coach came along in 1989. However, the show did not catch on with viewers right away. Nevertheless, when it was shifted into the time slot following Roseanne, it really took off. Fabares snagged two Emmy nominations for her portrayal of actor Craig T. Nelson's girlfriend.
She also appeared in a slew of hit TV shows. They included The Love Boat, Police Story, The Practice, Murder, She Wrote, and One Day at a Time.
The actress appraised her career quite modestly in 1989, At that time, Shelley Fabares shared this with the Orlando Sentinel. "The Donna Reed Show changed my life forever. The Elvis movies, just great. And the song, well, I was stunned about that, to put it mildly. After all, I never could sing."
